Do Deer Eat Sunflowers? Tips On Keeping Them Away

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The answer is yes if you’ve ever wondered whether deer are attracted to your sunflower garden. Unfortunately, deer love sunflowers and are known to eat them, which can cause damage to your flourishing plants. 

Field of blooming sunflowersPin

From the blooms to the leaves, seeds, and flower heads, deer find sunflowers to be a great source of nutrition, posing a challenge to protecting your garden from these persistent animals.

But don’t worry. There are easy and safe ways to keep deer away from your sunflowers without resorting to drastic measures. 

In this article, you’ll learn why deer love sunflowers, various deer deterrent methods, and techniques to help safeguard your sunflowers, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and deer-free.

Are Sunflowers Deer Resistant?


Yes, deer are known to eat sunflowers. They find sunflowers not only attractive but also a nutritious food source. 

The protien-rich pollen, soft petals and leaves of sunflowers are particularly appealing to them, as these parts of the plant are rich in protein and potassium.

Deer frequently consume various sunflower parts, such as the seeds, flower buds, and leaves, leaving only the stem untouched. 

Young sunflowers seem especially enticing to deer, and they are more likely to consume sunflowers when other food sources are scarce.

As your garden grows, you may notice that taller sunflower plants draw deer’s attention, who will eat the flowers and buds.

Understanding Deer Behavior

When it comes to deer and their feeding habits, it is essential to understand how they behave. Deer are browsing herbivores and will sample a variety of plants in their search for nourishment. 

They are attracted to sunflowers because they provide a great source of nutrition, including protein, fats, minerals, and phosphorus.

Deer have a scattered style of eating, which means they don’t follow a specific pattern when consuming plants. 

They will typically eat the leaves of sunflowers while leaving the stem intact. This can make it challenging to identify if deer are the culprits behind missing leaves in your garden.

To help you determine if deer are eating your sunflowers, look for some signs of their presence. 



For example, search for distinct deer footprints near your sunflower patch, especially after it has rained or the ground is muddy.

When you notice the sunflower leaves disappear while the stems are intact, then it’s also likely a deer attack. Identifying deer bites like ripping or tearing are also other signs.

Knowing the deer’s natural behavior is key to finding effective ways to protect your garden. 

By understanding their feeding habits and the signs they leave behind, you can take appropriate measures to deter them and safeguard your sunflowers.

Economic Estimates of Deer Damage

According to a report from Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, it is estimated deer cause damages of:

  • $100 million in agricultural crop damage
  • $250 million to household landscape plantings

Easy Ways to Protect Your Garden Against Deer

Physical Barriers

Installing physical barriers is an effective way to keep deer away from your sunflower garden. 

A tall fence, preferably over 8′ feet, can prevent deer from jumping into your garden area. Regularly check your fence for signs of deer attacks and repair any deer damage promptly.

Natural Repellents

You can use natural repellents to discourage deer from eating your sunflowers. 

Sprinkle shredded, fragrant soap around your plants to keep deer at bay. Avoid using soaps with plant or coconut scents, as these can attract deer. 

The smell of garlic, pepper, chili flakes, and putrid eggs is an effective deer deterrent.

Additionally, consider using a deer-repellant spray to protect your sunflowers. These are widely available online and in stores.

Noise and Light Deterrents

Deer are generally skittish animals that dislike loud noises and sudden movements. You can use noise and light deterrents to scare them away from your sunflower garden. 

Motion-activated sprinklers are an excellent option. The sudden water spray and noise will startle deer and keep them out of your garden. 

Another option is to install motion-activated lights around your garden, which will scare off any deer trying to approach during the night.

Planting Deer-Resistant Garden Options

Creating a deer-resistant garden is an effective way of protecting your sunflowers from being consumed by deer. 

With a few strategic choices, you can minimize the chances of deer feasting on your plants. Here are some options to help you get started:

First, consider adding native and unpalatable species to your garden. These plants are less attractive to deer, making them less likely to wander into your garden searching for food. 

Certain plants, such as ferns, ornamental grasses, and herbs like sage, are less likely to be preferred by deer.

Another option for a deer-resistant garden is to plant perennials with strong fragrances, such as lavender or mint. These scented plants can be a natural deterrent for deer and help protect your garden. 

Additionally, plants with hairy, fuzzy, or prickly leaves are less appealing to deer.

Consider using the following deer-resistant plants in your garden:

  • Ferns
  • Ornamental grasses
  • Sage
  • Lavender
  • Mint
  • Lamb’s Ear

Moreover, toxic plants like foxgloves and poppies also naturally repel deer.

Incorporating these deer-resistant plants into your garden design can help create a barrier that discourages deer from entering and feeding on your sunflowers while maintaining an attractive and functional garden space. 

Remember that no plant is entirely deer-proof, but using these strategies can significantly reduce the likelihood of deer causing damage to your garden.

Monitoring and Adapting

Your garden’s success in deterring deer from eating sunflowers relies on continuous monitoring and adaptation to their behaviors. 

Observing how deer interact with your garden can help you determine if your current strategies are effective or if new methods should be implemented. 

Keep an eye on your plant’s overall health, and watch for any signs of damage caused by deer.

One way to monitor the presence of deer in your garden is to install wildlife cameras. 

These devices will provide valuable insights into deer activity, allowing you to see when they visit and how they react to your preventative measures. If you notice patterns in their behavior, adjust your tactics accordingly.

As seasons change, so do deer preferences and feeding habits. Periodically assess the effectiveness of your current deterrents, such as deer-repellent spray or motion-activated sprinklers, to ensure they remain efficient. 

Consider rotating different strategies to keep deer from getting too familiar with a single method.

Here are a few suggestions to enhance your monitoring and adaptation process:

  • Record observations on deer activity and plant health in a garden journal.
  • Regularly inspect your garden’s barriers and deterrents to ensure they’re intact and functional.
  • Experiment with planting additional deer-resistant plants in your garden to further decrease the likelihood of deer targeting your sunflowers.

By diligently monitoring and adapting your deer-deterrent methods, you can protect your sunflowers and maintain a thriving, deer-resistant garden.

Deer and Sunflowers – FAQ

Deer enjoy eating sunflowers, and they often target the sunflower seeds, flower buds, and leaves. 

They find sunflowers a good source of protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, making them attractive to these animals.

What flowers will the deer absolutely not eat?

Though it is difficult to guarantee that deer will avoid certain flowers completely, some plants are less appealing to them. These include marigolds, lavender, daffodils, and Russian sage. 

However, deer preferences may vary by region, and they may still eat these plants if food is scarce.

Will deer eat sunflower heads?

Yes, deer will eat sunflower heads, and they are especially fond of the flowers and buds as the plants grow taller.

Will sunflowers grow back after deer eat them?

Sunflowers may regrow after being eaten by deer, though this depends on the damage’s extent and the growth stage.

The plant may produce another bloom if only the flower head is consumed. However, if the entire stalk is eaten, it’s less likely that the sunflower will recover.

What is the most deer-resistant plant?

Boxwood shrubs are known to be highly deer-resistant. In addition, these evergreen plants are low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and provide year-round interest in the garden.

What plants do deer hate the most?

Deer are known to dislike strongly-scented plants like garlic, chives, and mint. They also avoid plants with fuzzy or prickly foliage, such as lamb’s ear or holly.

Does Irish Spring soap repel deer?

Irish Spring soap is often used as a deer deterrent due to its strong scent. Hanging the soap in mesh bags or nylon stockings around your garden can help keep deer away.

Does Human Hair Repel Deer?

There is anecdotal evidence that suggests human hair can act as a deer repellent. Spreading hair clippings around your garden may discourage deer from browsing, but it is not a guaranteed method for deterring these animals.

Deer and Sunflowers Recap

Deer do indeed eat sunflowers as they are high in protein and provide a valuable food source for them. 

Aside from deer, other animals like chipmunks, house rats, squirrels, and rabbits would often attack your sunflowers.

Other top flower visitors include butterflies, ladybugs, beetles, bees, spiders, and other bugs and insects.

You can employ several easy and safe methods to protect your garden from these hungry visitors. 

Combining these approaches allows you to safeguard your sunflowers and enjoy their beauty without worrying about unwanted deer feasting on them.

First and foremost, consider physical barriers. Fences can be highly effective, but remember that deer are excellent jumpers, so ensure your fence is high enough to deter them. 

Another option is to use a variety of repellents, such as commercially available or homemade sprays, which can deter deer from eating your sunflowers. 

Planting deer-resistant border plants around your sunflower garden area can also reduce deer attraction.

Finally, consider utilizing noise and light deterrents to scare away deer seeking a meal in your garden. These methods are humane and can be quite effective in keeping these animals at bay. 

Remember to monitor and adapt as needed, as deer may become accustomed to some deterrents over time, requiring further adjustments.

By employing these strategies, you can ensure your sunflowers remain safe from hungry deer while also promoting a humane and eco-friendly approach to garden protection.