Pest Control
Do Deer Eat Lavender? The Truth About Growing It in Deer-Heavy Yards
The Short Answer: Rarely, But With Critical Exceptions
When homeowners ask, "do deer eat lavender," the standard nursery response is a definitive no. In general, lavender (Lavandula species) is highly deer-resistant. According to the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, most mature lavender varieties are rated as "Rarely Damaged" or "Seldom Severely Damaged" by deer. However, treating lavender as an impenetrable deer shield is a costly mistake. Under specific environmental pressures, or when planted incorrectly, deer will absolutely browse lavender. Understanding the biological and environmental triggers that cause deer to eat this aromatic herb is the key to successfully integrating it into a deer-heavy landscape.
The Olfactory Science: Why Deer Avoid Lavender
Deer possess roughly 297 million olfactory receptors, making their sense of smell exponentially more sensitive than that of humans. They rely on this acute olfaction to identify toxic or low-nutrition forage before taking a bite. Lavender leaves and stems are covered in microscopic, hair-like structures called trichomes. These trichomes store volatile essential oils—primarily linalool, camphor, and 1,8-cineole.
When a deer approaches lavender, the sheer volume of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the plant overwhelms their nasal passages. If a deer does take a tentative bite, the mechanical crushing of the trichomes releases a concentrated burst of camphor, which tastes intensely bitter and causes mild oral irritation. Deer are hardwired to associate this strong aromatic profile with toxicity or poor digestibility, prompting them to move on to more palatable, less aromatic forage like hostas, daylilies, or young arborvitae.
Expert Insight: Deer resistance is not a fixed genetic trait; it is a behavioral response to palatability and hunger. A plant's resistance level fluctuates based on the local deer population density, the time of year, and the availability of alternative food sources.
Lavender Varieties Ranked by Deer Resistance
Not all lavender is created equal. The deer resistance of a lavender plant is directly correlated to its camphor and essential oil concentration. Intermedia hybrids (Lavandins) generally contain higher camphor levels than true English lavenders, making them slightly more offensive to deer. Spanish lavender, with its lower oil concentration, is the most vulnerable.
| Variety | Species | Primary Oil Profile | Rutgers Resistance Rating | USDA Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Grosso' | L. x intermedia | Very High Camphor | B (Rarely Damaged) | 5-9 |
| 'Provence' | L. x intermedia | High Camphor/Linalool | B (Rarely Damaged) | 5-9 |
| 'Hidcote' | L. angustifolia | High Linalool | C (Seldom Severely Damaged) | 5-8 |
| 'Munstead' | L. angustifolia | Moderate Linalool | C (Seldom Severely Damaged) | 5-8 |
| Spanish Lavender | L. stoechas | Low Camphor | D (Occasionally Severely Damaged) | 7-9 |
The Fertility Trap: Why Your "Deer-Resistant" Lavender Got Eaten
The most common reason deer eat established lavender is improper soil management. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant adapted to poor, rocky, alkaline soils with low nitrogen levels. When homeowners plant lavender in rich, heavily amended garden beds and apply high-nitrogen synthetic fertilizers (like a 20-10-10 NPK blend), the plant responds by producing rapid, lush, succulent growth.
This rapid growth dilutes the concentration of essential oils within the leaf tissue. The foliage becomes watery, less aromatic, and significantly more palatable to deer. Furthermore, over-watering and rich soils lead to root rot, weakening the plant's natural chemical defenses. To maintain maximum deer resistance, lavender must be grown in lean, well-draining soil with zero supplemental nitrogen fertilizer once established.
Warning: The Late Winter Starvation Exception
Between late February and early April, natural forage is virtually non-existent in northern climates. During this window, starving deer will strip the bark off trees and eat highly aromatic, normally avoided plants, including mature lavender. If you live in an area with heavy winter snow cover, expect some incidental browsing during the late winter starvation period.
Between late February and early April, natural forage is virtually non-existent in northern climates. During this window, starving deer will strip the bark off trees and eat highly aromatic, normally avoided plants, including mature lavender. If you live in an area with heavy winter snow cover, expect some incidental browsing during the late winter starvation period.
Protecting Young Lavender Plugs (The First 90 Days)
While mature lavender is safe, 4-inch nursery plugs and 1-gallon transplants are highly vulnerable. Young plants have not yet developed the dense trichome coverage or the deep root systems required to produce high volumes of protective oils. For the first 90 days after planting, you must artificially protect the lavender.
- Scent-Based Repellents: Apply repellents containing putrescent whole egg solids (e.g., Liquid Fence) or capsaicin and garlic (e.g., Bobbex). These must be applied every 14 days, and immediately after any rainfall exceeding 0.5 inches. Cost: $25-$35 per gallon.
- Physical Barriers: For individual high-value specimens, use 24-inch tall wire mesh cylinders (1x1 inch grid). Deer will not reach over or through narrow wire cages to access small plugs. Cost: $8-$12 per cage.
- Tactile Deterrents: Laying a 2-foot wide mat of chicken wire flat on the soil around the base of the plant prevents deer from stepping close enough to browse the young foliage, as they dislike the feeling of wire on their hooves.
Strategic Planting: Building a Lavender Deer Barrier
Rather than planting isolated lavender specimens, landscape architects use continuous lavender hedges to create an olfactory "fence line." Deer rely on scent trails to navigate and find food. A dense, 3-foot-wide continuous border of 'Grosso' or 'Provence' lavender disrupts these scent trails and creates a physical and aromatic barrier that discourages deer from entering the inner garden.
To achieve this, space 1-gallon lavender plants exactly 24 to 30 inches apart. This allows the mature foliage to interlock, forming a solid wall of scent without causing the air-flow restrictions that lead to fungal diseases like Botrytis blight. A 50-foot lavender border will require approximately 20 to 25 plants, costing between $300 and $450 at retail nursery prices—a fraction of the $1,500+ cost of installing physical 8-foot deer fencing.
Companion Planting Matrix for Enhanced Resistance
Interplanting lavender with other highly resistant, structurally diverse plants creates a multi-layered defense. According to University of Minnesota Extension guidelines on deer-resistant landscaping, combining textures and scents confuses browsing wildlife.
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Fern-like texture and bitter taste; thrives in the same poor soil as lavender.
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Tall, airy structure with highly aromatic foliage that masks the scent of more vulnerable plants behind it.
- Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina): Dense, fuzzy, silver foliage that deer find texturally repulsive.
- Allium (Allium species): Onion-family bulbs planted in front of lavender provide a sulfurous scent barrier in early spring when lavender is just breaking dormancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deer eat lavender flowers?
Deer generally avoid the flowers for the same reasons they avoid the leaves: the essential oil concentration in the flower spikes is actually higher than in the foliage. However, if a deer is accustomed to browsing in your yard and food is scarce, they may nip the tops off flower spikes.
Is lavender safe to plant near vegetables to deter deer?
Yes, but with caveats. Lavender will not mask the scent of high-value crops like tomatoes or sweet corn. It works best as a perimeter border. Additionally, lavender requires alkaline, dry soil, while most vegetables require rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. Do not plant them in the same bed; use lavender as a border around the perimeter of the fenced or unfenced garden area.
Do rabbits eat lavender?
Rabbits are less deterred by strong scents than deer and are known to chew on the tender, lower woody stems of lavender, especially in winter. If rabbits are a primary pest, surround the base of the lavender with a 12-inch ring of hardware cloth buried 2 inches into the soil.
