10 Deer-Resistant Annuals for a Flower-Filled Garden

Marigolds

Marigolds bring brilliant pops of color with their bright, pom-pom-shaped flowers that come in hues of yellow, orange, red, or gold. These low-maintenance annuals have a pungent scent that deer find unpleasant. 

“Marigolds love full sun and can be planted among vegetables,” says Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Luxury Estate Landscaping Company. “Their fragrance can discourage insects and pests from damaging your plants.”

• USDA Zones: 2 to 11
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil

Zinnias

Zinnias have striking, full flowers that look similar to the shape of daisies. They come in many bright colors, including red, pink, purple, gold, orange, yellow, and white. Deer are usually deterred by the scent and coarse texture of zinnias, making them a great pick for deterring deer.

“Zinnias are a popular choice because they perform best in sunny locations,”  says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery. “They do require consistent watering and periodic deadheading to maintain their lively blooms.”

• USDA Zones: 2 to 11
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining soil

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are colorful perennials that are often grown as annuals. These hardy flowers have brilliant hues that range from white to yellow, orange, red, purple, and pink. Snapdragons have a bitter taste that deters deer from eating them. 

According to Dilmore, snapdragons thrive in full sun and will bloom their best with plenty of sun. “They will require regular watering, especially during dry spells,” he adds. “They can be deadheaded when flowers fade, which can encourage new blooms.”

• USDA Zones: 7 to 11
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a cool season annual with pretty flowers that can be white, pink, purple, and peach. Sweet alyssum’s pungent scent is known to repel deer. These hardy plants provide beautiful colors while being low-maintenance. 

“These plants provide a unique pink, white, or magenta flower that has a ground cover look,” Dilmore says. “Soil should be evenly moist but not wet.”

• USDA Zones: 5 to 9
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil

Spider Flowers

Cleome, also called spider flowers, have delicate blooms in pink, purple, or white. These popular annuals are low-maintenance and their odor and texture repel deer. 

“A more unique annual that can self-seed, these flowers love full sun and can even tolerate poor soil,” Dilmore explains. “They will go great among a densely planted flowerbed.” Allow them to self-seed, and they can even become self-sustaining each year.

• USDA Zones: 10 to 11
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Well-draining, acidic or neutral soil

Verbena

Verbena, also called vervain, is a versatile and cheerful flowering plant with blooms in striking shades of purple, pink, white, and red. The low-maintenance plant comes in many varieties, with some that are annuals and some perennials. Verbena’s bitter taste and coarse leaves serve as a deterrent to deer. 

“The verbena plant produces vibrant clusters of blooms and thrives in sunny, well-drained areas while requiring spent blooms to be pinched back for continued growth stimulation,” Sons says. “These plants provide color while repelling deer, which makes them an excellent choice for any garden.”

• USDA Zones: 8 to 11
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil

Lantana

Lantana offers brilliant pops of color with flower clusters that can range from yellow to red, pink, purple, white, and orange. The fast-growing lantana plant is a perennial in warm regions and an annual in temperate zones with cold winters. Its rough leaves, pungent scent, and mild toxins repel deer.

• USDA Zones: 7 to 11
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining, neutral soil

Cornflowers

Cornflowers, also called bachelor’s buttons, are deer-resistant wildflowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white. These versatile annuals can grow in full sun or partial shade and flourish with moist, well-draining soil. Cornflowers grow quickly and attract beneficial insects and butterflies, making them a great addition to your garden. 

• USDA Zones: 2 to 11
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil

California Poppies

The California poppy has bright blooms in shades of yellow, gold, and orange and cultivars that come in pink, red, and cream. These easy-to-grow flowers are considered short-lived perennials in warm climates and annuals in temperate places. Deer typically avoid California poppy plants due to their bitter taste. 

“The best time to plant California poppy seeds is in fall or early spring,” says Troy Hake, owner of Outsidepride seed company. “They thrive in full sun and sandy or rocky soils.”

• USDA Zones: 6 to 10
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Sandy, well-draining soil

Calendula

Calendula, also called pot marigold, has sunny, daisy-like blooms in shades of gold. Deer usually avoid calendula due to its bitter taste and pungent aroma. Calendula grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Calendula can be grown from seed after the last frost in spring. 

• USDA Zones: 2 to 11
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Well-draining, neutral soil