Deer Resistant Plants for East Texas Gardens
- Melisa Johnson
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Deer are a remarkable part of life in East Texas (and a lot of other places for that matter), and while they’re remarkable to watch, they can be an absolute headache for gardeners. If you’ve ever walked outside to find your roses stripped or your vegetable patch munched down overnight, you know the frustration and you want to know more about deer resistant plants.
And, this one is personal for us. As we've worked on building the retail space for Marshall Garden Co., I've had nightmares about beautiful deer feasting on our beautiful inventory. Thankfully, the brilliant teams constructing our garden center already have an 8-foot fence planned as part of the design. Still, I’m paying close attention to deer-resistant plants and learning as much as I possibly can about them — and I want to help you too.
The first thing you need to know is "deer resistant" means a plant is generally unappealing to deer and less likely to be eaten or damaged by them. That doesn't mean the plant is immune to browsing and deer "tasting" the plants. No plant is "deer-proof" because hungry and desperate deer will eat almost anything. But, as you're exploring, it's helpful to know that deer resistant plants often have characteristics that deer dislike, such as strong scents, fuzzy or prickly textures, bitter tastes, or toxicity.
Here’s the good news: all is't lost for you as a gardener. By choosing deer-resistant plants, you can enjoy a beautiful yard and a productive garden that’s less tempting to wildlife.
Flowers & Ornamentals Deer Avoid
Want color without the deer damage? Try these:
Marigolds – Bright, bold, and strongly scented.
Snapdragons – Cool-season spikes of color.
Lantana – Tough, heat-loving, and deer usually ignore it.
Zinnias – Summer to fall bloomers that deer tend to avoid.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Cheerful yellow blooms and sturdy growth.
Shrubs & Small Trees
For structure and curb appeal, choose shrubs deer don’t favor:
Boxwood – Reliable evergreen for borders.
Texas Sage – Purple blooms + drought tolerance.
Viburnum – Hardy shrub with seasonal interest.
Holly – Glossy foliage + berries; spiny leaves deter browsing.
Crepe Myrtle – A Southern classic with deer resistance.
Herbs & Fragrant Plants
Strong aromas are your best friend against deer:
Rosemary – Great for cooking + deterring deer.
Lavender – Fragrant purple blooms deer dislike.
Thyme – Hardy, flavorful, and low-growing.
Oregano – Spreads easily and adds scent + flavor.
Basil – While deer sometimes nibble, most strong-scented varieties are less appealing.
Vegetables & Edibles They Skip
While no veggie is truly deer-proof, these are less likely to be targeted:
Onions, Garlic, Chives – Strong odor = strong deterrent.
Hot Peppers – Too spicy for deer palates.
Eggplant – Texture and slight bitterness make it less appealing.
Okra – Tough stems and fuzzy texture aren’t a favorite.
Tips for Protecting Your Garden with Deer Resistant Plants
Surround high-risk plants (like roses or lettuce) with fragrant herbs to mask scents.
Use containers on porches or patios for your most vulnerable crops.
Mix deer-resistant plants throughout your landscape to reduce browsing damage.
Remember: deer-resistant doesn’t mean deer-proof. Hungry deer may still sample, but these choices lower the risk.
Again, no plant is "deer-proof" because desperate deer will eat almost anything.
📥 Free Resource
Want a simple reference to take plant shopping? Download our Free Deer-Resistant Planting List for East Texas and help protect your garden from becoming a full on midnight snack.
Because gardening doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to make sense.
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