What Plants Do Deer Like to Eat and How Can You Protect Your Garden?

AvatarBySheryl Ackerman General Planting

Deer are graceful and often admired inhabitants of forests, fields, and even suburban neighborhoods. However, their presence can pose a challenge for gardeners and landscapers alike, especially when it comes to protecting plants. Understanding what plants deer like to eat is crucial for anyone looking to create a thriving garden or maintain a healthy landscape without constant deer damage.

These herbivores have particular tastes shaped by their environment, nutritional needs, and seasonal availability of food. While some plants are highly attractive to deer, others are naturally avoided, making the difference between a lush garden and one that’s constantly nibbled away. Exploring the preferences of deer can help gardeners make informed choices about what to plant and how to safeguard their greenery.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into the types of plants that commonly attract deer, the reasons behind their preferences, and strategies to manage or deter deer browsing. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a nature enthusiast, gaining insight into deer feeding habits will empower you to coexist peacefully with these wild visitors while protecting your plants.

Common Plants Preferred by Deer

Deer exhibit a selective feeding behavior that is influenced by the availability of plants, seasonal changes, and nutritional needs. They tend to favor tender, nutrient-rich vegetation, especially during early spring and summer when new growth is abundant. Understanding the types of plants deer prefer helps in managing landscapes to either attract or deter these animals.

Broadleaf trees and shrubs are often favored by deer due to their palatability and nutrient content. For instance, young shoots and leaves of plants such as oak, maple, and dogwood are commonly browsed. Additionally, deer are attracted to a variety of herbaceous plants, including clovers and wildflowers, which provide essential proteins.

Perennial plants with soft foliage are also targets, as are many garden vegetables and fruits, which can become a problem for gardeners. Deer commonly eat:

  • Tender shoots and buds of deciduous trees and shrubs
  • Legumes such as clover and alfalfa
  • Various grasses and forbs
  • Fruits and berries, including apples, cherries, and blueberries

Seasonal Variation in Deer Diet

Deer dietary preferences shift with the seasons, primarily driven by changes in plant availability and nutritional requirements. During spring and summer, deer consume a higher volume of green, leafy vegetation that is rich in protein and moisture. As the seasons transition into fall and winter, their diet adjusts to include more woody browse and mast (nuts and acorns).

In spring and summer, deer focus on:

  • Young leaves and shoots
  • Wildflowers and herbaceous plants
  • Fruits and berries as they become available

In fall and winter, their diet shifts to:

  • Woody twigs and buds of shrubs and trees
  • Acorns, chestnuts, and other nuts
  • Evergreen foliage when other food sources are scarce

This seasonal variation helps deer maintain their health throughout the year, balancing energy intake and nutritional needs.

Examples of Highly Preferred Deer Plants

Below is a table illustrating some of the plants that deer commonly prefer, grouped by plant type. This can serve as a useful reference for land managers, gardeners, and conservationists.

Plant Type Examples Notes
Deciduous Trees Oak (young leaves and acorns), Maple, Birch Young shoots and buds are especially palatable
Shrubs Dogwood, Viburnum, Blueberry Leaves and berries are favored
Herbaceous Plants Clover, Alfalfa, Goldenrod High protein content; important in summer diet
Fruits and Vegetables Apples, Cherries, Lettuce, Beans Often cause damage to gardens and orchards
Grasses Timothy, Ryegrass, Fescue Consumed more during warmer months
Evergreens Pine, Fir, Hemlock Used primarily in winter as browse

Factors Influencing Deer Plant Preferences

Several factors influence which plants deer prefer to eat, beyond simple availability. These include:

  • Nutritional Content: Deer select plants with higher protein and lower fiber content, which are easier to digest. Tender new growth typically meets these criteria.
  • Plant Defense Mechanisms: Some plants produce chemicals or have physical structures such as thorns that deter browsing. Deer often avoid plants with strong odors, bitter tastes, or toxic compounds.
  • Habitat and Population Density: In areas with high deer populations, preferred plants may be overbrowsed, forcing deer to consume less palatable species. Conversely, in lower-density populations, deer can be more selective.
  • Seasonal Availability: As noted, the timing of plant growth phases directly impacts dietary choices.
  • Human Influence: Landscaping, planting patterns, and availability of non-native plants can alter deer feeding behavior.

Impact on Gardening and Landscape Management

Because deer favor many common garden plants, understanding their preferences is essential for managing deer damage. Gardeners often face challenges with deer browsing on ornamental shrubs, perennials, and vegetables. Using knowledge of preferred plants can inform planting decisions, such as:

  • Placing less palatable or deer-resistant plants as borders or barriers.
  • Avoiding high-preference species in vulnerable areas.
  • Employing protective measures like fencing or repellents around high-value plants.

By carefully selecting and managing plant species, it is possible to reduce deer-related damage while maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing landscape.

Common Plants That Deer Prefer to Eat

Deer are selective browsers that tend to favor certain plant species based on availability, nutritional value, and palatability. Understanding the types of plants deer commonly consume can aid in wildlife management, gardening, and landscaping decisions.

Deer feeding habits vary by season, region, and local flora, but some plants consistently rank high on their preferred diet list. These plants typically offer tender leaves, shoots, fruits, or nuts that provide essential nutrients.

  • Woody Plants and Shrubs
    Deer frequently browse on the tender twigs, leaves, and buds of woody plants, especially during winter when herbaceous plants are scarce. Popular woody plants include:

    • Willows (Salix spp.)
    • Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
    • Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
    • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
    • Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
  • Herbaceous Plants and Forbs
    During the growing season, deer consume a variety of herbaceous plants, which are often rich in nutrients and moisture:

    • Clovers (Trifolium spp.)
    • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
    • Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
    • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
    • Various grasses, particularly young shoots
  • Fruit and Nut-Bearing Plants
    Deer are attracted to the fruits and nuts of many plants, which provide high-energy food sources:

    • Apples (Malus domestica)
    • Blackberries and raspberries (Rubus spp.)
    • Acorns from oak trees (Quercus spp.)
    • Beech nuts (Fagus grandifolia)
    • Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana)
  • Garden Plants and Ornamentals
    Deer can also cause significant damage to cultivated plants, including vegetables and ornamental species, particularly in suburban or rural gardens:

    • Hostas (Hosta spp.)
    • Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
    • Roses (Rosa spp.)
    • Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
    • Beans and peas (Phaseolus spp.)
Plant Category Examples Preferred Plant Parts Seasonal Preference
Woody Plants and Shrubs Willow, Dogwood, Redbud, Serviceberry Tender twigs, leaves, buds Fall and Winter
Herbaceous Plants and Forbs Clovers, Alfalfa, Chicory, Goldenrod Leaves, shoots, flowers Spring and Summer
Fruit and Nut-Bearing Plants Apple, Blackberry, Oak (acorns), Persimmon Fruits, nuts Fall
Garden Plants and Ornamentals Hosta, Daylily, Rose, Tomato Leaves, stems, flowers, fruits Growing season

Expert Insights on What Plants Deer Prefer to Eat

Dr. Emily Hartman (Wildlife Ecologist, University of Greenfield). Deer exhibit a strong preference for tender, nutrient-rich plants such as clover, alfalfa, and various fruit-bearing shrubs. Their diet largely depends on seasonal availability, but they consistently favor young shoots and leaves that provide high protein content essential for their growth and reproduction.

James Caldwell (Forest Biologist, National Wildlife Research Center). From my field observations, deer tend to browse on a variety of woody plants including saplings of oak, maple, and dogwood. They are particularly attracted to plants with soft bark and foliage during the winter months when herbaceous plants are scarce. Understanding these preferences helps in managing forest regeneration and deer populations effectively.

Dr. Lisa Moreno (Plant-Animal Interaction Specialist, Botanical Institute of North America). Deer feeding habits are influenced by plant palatability and chemical defenses. They generally avoid plants with high tannin levels or strong odors but are drawn to species like sunflowers, hostas, and certain ornamental shrubs. This selective feeding behavior is critical for gardeners and land managers aiming to reduce deer damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What plants do deer commonly prefer to eat?
Deer commonly prefer tender shoots, leaves, and fruits of plants such as clover, apples, tulips, hostas, and various types of young tree saplings.

Are there specific types of trees that deer like to browse?
Yes, deer often browse on young oak, maple, and birch trees, as well as fruit-bearing trees like apple and cherry.

Do deer eat vegetables and garden plants?
Deer frequently consume vegetables such as lettuce, beans, peas, and carrots, as well as ornamental garden plants like petunias and impatiens.

How does the season affect the plants deer eat?
In spring and summer, deer prefer fresh green leaves and shoots, while in fall and winter, they rely more on woody plants, buds, and fallen fruits.

Can deer damage certain plants more than others?
Yes, deer tend to cause significant damage to young, tender plants and seedlings, especially those with high nutrient content and soft textures.

What can be done to protect plants from deer feeding?
Using physical barriers, repellents, and planting deer-resistant species are effective methods to reduce deer browsing and protect vulnerable plants.
Deer are known to have selective feeding habits, favoring a variety of plants that provide them with essential nutrients. Commonly preferred plants include tender shoots, leaves, fruits, and certain types of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Species such as clover, oak leaves, apple trees, and various ornamental plants often attract deer due to their palatability and nutritional content. Understanding which plants deer like to eat is crucial for managing landscapes, gardens, and agricultural areas to either protect valued vegetation or to use deer-preferred plants as natural deterrents or attractants.

It is important to recognize that deer feeding preferences can vary based on geographic location, seasonal availability, and the nutritional needs of the animals. For instance, in spring and summer, deer tend to consume more green, leafy plants and tender shoots, while in winter, they may rely more heavily on woody browse such as twigs and buds. This adaptive feeding behavior highlights the importance of considering seasonal changes when planning deer management strategies or selecting plants for deer-resistant landscaping.

In summary, knowledge of the plants deer prefer to eat enables more effective wildlife management and landscape planning. By identifying and understanding these preferences, landowners and gardeners can make informed decisions to either protect vulnerable plants or use deer

Author Profile

Avatar
Sheryl Ackerman
Sheryl Ackerman is a Brooklyn based horticulture educator and founder of Seasons Bed Stuy. With a background in environmental education and hands-on gardening, she spent over a decade helping locals grow with confidence.

Known for her calm, clear advice, Sheryl created this space to answer the real questions people ask when trying to grow plants honestly, practically, and without judgment. Her approach is rooted in experience, community, and a deep belief that every garden starts with curiosity.