Mammal-resistant plants can be a game changer for those who are tired of building fences to keep garden-munching mammals at bay. While physical barriers work, they’re not your only defense. Some plants naturally repel common garden pests like deer and rabbits thanks to their scent, texture, or toxicity. By choosing these mammal-resistant varieties, you can expand your garden outside the fence line—saving space and effort while still protecting your crops.
Here’s a quick look at five useful plants that critters probably won’t eat. There are plenty of others, too, so explore what grows in your region.
1. Alliums: Onion Family Plants Deer and Rabbits Avoid
You can never say never, but you can be pretty confident that deer and rabbits will leave your alliums alone. That sharp onion-like smell present in the stalks is just too much of a deterrent for mammals. This means that you have a lot of versatility in where you plant your onions, garlic, leeks, and chives. They don’t really need to be behind a garden fence—so have the option to save the fenced-in space for more critical crops and plant your alliums outside of it where the animals will give them a wide berth.
2. Marigolds: Colorful Blooms That Repel Pests
These fall favorites are easy to grow and have a scent that deer in particular dislike. The blooms come in a variety of fun colors, but the marigolds don’t grow very tall, so they make a fine border for walkways and other places in your landscaping that might be outside a fence. But
being outside the fence likely won’t matter, since deer and perhaps other mammals will pass them by. In fact, some gardeners utilize marigolds precisely for this reason—as a deterrent to keep deer away from the rest of the garden crops.
3. Herbs: Aromatic Plants Mammals Tend to Ignore
If you’re a home chef, maybe you enjoy growing your own herbs for a dash of fresh taste. It can be a wonderful and easy way to put your garden to use in the kitchen, plus many herbs are just generally attractive in the garden and good for pollinators. Mints, sage, rosemary, dill—deer will likely leave them all alone. Some rabbits may be a little more likely to munch on an herb or two, but in general, you’re probably safe to grow herbs outside a fence.
4. Potatoes: Nightshades That Critters Steer Clear Of
You generally need plenty of room for potatoes, especially if you’re seeking to grow an appreciable amount. It takes space to dig those rows and store the soil that you’ll gradually backfill with. Maybe you don’t want to use up that much space inside your fenced garden. If
that’s the case, you can probably get away with growing your potatoes outside the fence. It’s not impossible that deer or rabbits will try to munch on the foliage, but it’s unlikely—potatoes are a nightshade after all and the animals are discouraged for that reason.
5. Bee Balm: A Pollinator Favorite That Deer Dislike
Bee balm is another deer-resistant plant that rabbits probably won’t bother either. It grows nice and tall, so it can be used to add a vertical dimension to your landscaping. The blooms are absolutely brilliant in midsummer, and the pollinators will come in droves (and probably help out the rest of your garden at the same time).
Mammal-Resistant Plants: Final Thoughts
While no plant is truly immune to a hungry animal, the varieties listed here offer a strong chance of surviving outside your garden fence. They not only help protect your more vulnerable crops but also attract pollinators, add beauty, and reduce the need for costly barriers. Experiment with these and other regional favorites to build a low-maintenance, critter-resistant garden you’ll love all season long.
This article about 5 mammal-resistant plants was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
