Looking for some of the best deer resistant flowering annuals to plant in your pots and containers this year?
We deal with deer on our farm on a daily basis. And although they can certainly bring some charm to the woods and surrounding acres, they can also be quite a pain when it comes to consuming plants. Especially when those plants are the annual flowers growing in our pots and containers!
One thing is for certain, if you live in an area where deer roam freely, keeping your containers safe can be a big challenge. Unfortunately, many of the most popular annual flowers are also favorites on the deer’s dinner menu. We know that all too well watching them devour petunias and impatiens over and over again.
But the good news is that not all annuals are appealing to deer. In fact, there are a few deer tend to avoid almost entirely. Some plants either have a scent, taste, or texture that deer simply don’t like. And when it comes to protecting your container displays, choosing these deer-resistant annuals can make all the difference between having lush, colorful planters – or a few empty stems in dirt-filled pots.
They have certainly worked for us – and today, we thought we would share five of our favorite annuals to grow in pots and containers – and why deer usually stay far away from them.
The Best Deer Resistant Annuals For Pots & Containers
Why Deer Avoid Certain Annuals
Before jumping into the best plants to grow, it helps to understand why deer skip over some flowers while devouring others. Deer are picky eaters in a very specific way. They’re naturally cautious. And if something smells strong, tastes bitter, or feels fuzzy or coarse, they’re likely to walk away from it.
Deer rely heavily on their sense of smell to choose food, and strong fragrances can also act like a warning sign. Plants with strong scents, especially those with herbal or citrus-like smells, are often avoided.
Even more, taste plays a pivotal role too. Some plants contain natural compounds that taste bitter or are mildly toxic to deer. Even if they nibble once, they usually don’t come back for seconds. And finally, there’s texture. Deer don’t like fuzzy or thick leaves that are hard to chew.
Plants with rough or hairy foliage can be unpleasant for them, especially compared to the tender leaves of other annuals. Now that we know what keeps deer away, let’s look at five annuals that fit the bill perfectly.
1. Marigolds – Bold Color With A Smell Deer Hate
Marigolds are one of the most well-known and widely grown annuals – and for good reason. They bloom brightly in shades of yellow, orange, red, and gold, and they thrive in containers with very little care. But one of the biggest benefits of marigolds is that deer tend to hate their scent.
The strong, musky smell that marigolds give off is a natural repellent for many pests, including deer. The scent comes from the oils in the leaves and flowers, and it lingers even when the blooms are picked. This makes marigolds an excellent choice not only for pots and containers – but also for planting around the edges of other flowerbeds or vegetable gardens as a barrier.
Marigolds are also tough. They can handle heat, dry conditions and less-than-perfect soil, which makes them a reliable, low-maintenance choice. Plus, they bloom nonstop from spring to fall, giving you color and deer protection all season long. Affiliate Link: Outsidepride French Marigold Seeds Mix
2. Coleus – One Of The Best Deer Resistant Annuals For Foliage Lovers!
Coleus is a colorful, leafy annual that’s prized for its vibrant foliage, coming in shades of red, pink, green, and yellow. While it’s a favorite for adding interest to pots and garden beds, it’s not a favorite of deer. One big reason is its strong scent and unusual taste, which deer find unpleasant. The plant’s leaves have a slightly bitter or medicinal flavor that naturally deters browsing.
In addition to the taste, coleus contains essential oils and compounds that can mildly irritate a deer’s digestive system if eaten in large amounts. Because of this, deer typically avoid it altogether, especially when other, more palatable options are around. That makes coleus a smart pick for gardeners looking to add beauty without inviting unwanted nibbling.
Coleus is also extremely versatile. It can grow in shade, part sun, or even full sun if kept watered. You can mix different varieties in one pot for a dramatic look or pair them with other deer-resistant plants for a striking combination.
3. Zinnias – A Pollinator Favorite That Deer Tend To Ignore
Zinnias are one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers you can grow in a container – and they are one of the best deer resistant annuals too! They produce large, bold flowers in bright reds, pinks, yellows, and purples – and they attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds by the dozens. But while pollinators love zinnias, deer do not.
Zinnias have a rough, hairy texture on both their leaves and stems, which deer find unpleasant to chew. The strong smell of the leaves can also deter them from taking a bite. While deer may occasionally nibble on new shoots if food is scarce, they almost never make zinnias a main target.
One of the best things about zinnias is that they are cut-and-come-again flowers. The more you trim the blooms, the more they flower. So even if you clip a few for a vase, your container will fill back in with new blossoms in no time. Zinnias grow best in full sun and do well even in smaller pots with proper drainage.
4. Lantana – Bright Blooms That Deer Ignore!
If you want flowers that bloom heavily in the heat and still keep deer away, lantana is a top choice. This tough annual produces small, clustered blooms in tropical colors of orange, red, pink, yellow, and purple. The flowers are loved by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds – but not by deer.
Lantana leaves have a strong citrus-like smell and a slightly rough, leathery feel. That combination of scent and texture makes it one of the least favorite plants for deer. In fact, many gardeners use lantana as a natural border plant to help protect other flowers from deer.
Lantana is drought tolerant and thrives in hot, sunny conditions – making it one of the best deer resistant annuals of all. Once established, it needs very little care other than occasional deadheading. It’s perfect for containers in full sun and will bloom right up until the first frost. It’s actually a perennial in warm climates, but for most – it is treated as an annual.
5. Snapdragons – Sweet Blooms With A Scent Deer Avoid
Snapdragons are another great choice when it comes to growing annuals that deer tend to ignore. These tall, spiky flowers add vertical interest to container displays and come in nearly every color of the rainbow. They bloom early in the season and, if deadheaded, will often keep flowering deep into summer and even early fall.
So why don’t deer like snapdragons? The answer is partly taste and partly scent. Snapdragons have a slightly bitter flavor that deer usually don’t enjoy. Some varieties also carry a light floral fragrance that deer tend to avoid as well.
Snapdragons are especially good for containers in cooler climates or early in the growing season. They prefer mild temperatures and can even handle a light frost, making them a good choice for spring and fall pots. Use them in combination with marigolds or coleus for a container full of deer-resistant beauty.
Here is to planting the best deer resistant annuals around – and to keeping your flowerpots and containers safe from damage this year. Happy Gardening – Jim & Mary.
Old World Garden Farms
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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