Phlox is not a preferred plant for deer to eat. Deer tend not to be attracted to scented plants. Tall phlox dies back when exposed to frost. The aerial portion is dead during the winter months. Deer will eat from your garden all year, but they are less picky in the winter when their favorite foods might not be around. They may eat creeping phlox.
Rutgers University says that this plant is sometimes severely damaged on a scale that goes from “Rarely Damaged” to “Frequently Severely Damaged.”
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is one of the most popular groundcover plants in gardens today. With its carpet-like mats of evergreen foliage and vibrant spring flowers, it’s easy to see why this plant has gained such widespread popularity. However, many gardeners in deer-prone areas wonder if creeping phlox will withstand grazing by hungry deer. So, are creeping phlox deer resistant?
The simple answer is yes, creeping phlox is considered deer resistant by most sources But as seasoned gardeners know, the foraging habits of deer are unpredictable While they may avoid a plant species most of the time, when food is scarce deer will sample just about anything. Read on to learn why creeping phlox is largely left alone by deer, and tips to protect it in case Bambi gets tempted to take a bite.
Why Deer Tend to Avoid Creeping Phlox
There are a few key reasons why creeping phlox has developed a reputation for being avoided by deer:
Foliage and Flower Scent
The foliage and flowers of creeping phlox have a distinct pungent fragrance that deer apparently find offensive. The strong scent is likely a natural deer repellent. Some gardeners even report crushing the leaves of creeping phlox and sprinkling them around more desirable plants to help deter deer.
Low-Growing Habit
With maximum heights around 6-12 inches, creeping phlox stays low to the ground. Deer tend to browse higher on shrubs and perennials, so they don’t naturally encounter creeping phlox. The low growth habit makes it inconvenient for deer to graze.
Evergreen Foliage
Creeping phlox maintains its foliage year-round in most climates. It does not die back to the ground in winter like many perennials. This puts foliage out of deer reach once snow covers low-growing plants. During winter when food is scarce, deer are less likely to paw through snow to uncover the evergreen phlox leaves.
Lack of Flower Buds
Deer are attracted to the tender, juicy buds of many spring-blooming flowers. However, creeping phlox blooms directly on older wood, not from buds that form the previous season. With no fresh flower buds to entice them, deer tend to leave creeping phlox flowers alone.
Real-World Experiences in Deer Resistance
While creeping phlox checks most of the boxes that typically result in deer resistance, how does it hold up in actual gardens? The general consensus from gardeners is that yes, creeping phlox is one of the more deer-proof plants for landscaping in areas with high deer traffic.
In a poll on a popular garden forum, 100% of respondents said deer ignore their creeping phlox. One gardener shared: “I’ve been gardening for over 30 years with a huge deer population that eats everything. Creeping phlox is one plant I can always rely on that will never be touched.”
Another poster wrote: “Deer devour my hostas, daylilies, coneflowers, roses, you name it. But they don’t touch the phlox that’s spreading all over my yard.”
Of course, not everyone has had flawless luck with deer leaving creeping phlox alone. Occasional nibbling has been reported, especially on flowers or younger foliage before it has a chance to harden off. One gardener noticed deer eating creeping phlox flowers when they first emerge in very early spring, but not touching it later in the season.
Overall though, the majority of real-world experience confirms that deer tend to pass over creeping phlox in favor of tastier treats. It can be considered relatively deer resistant, though not completely deer proof.
Tips for Protecting Creeping Phlox from Deer
If deer are a persistent problem in your area, you may want to take extra precautions to protect creeping phlox. Here are some tips:
Select Deer-Resistant Varieties
Some creeping phlox varieties seem to be more deer resistant than others. Try growing these reputedly deer-proof cultivars:
- Candy Stripes
- Emerald Cushion Blue
- Red Wing
- White Delight
Avoid varieties known to be more prone to deer grazing, like ‘Crimson Beauty’, ‘Gunter’s’ and ‘Roemer’s’.
Use Physical Barriers
Install fences or individual plant cages to physically keep deer away from creeping phlox. Use galvanized wire mesh for fences, or chicken wire cages around individual plants. For low-growing creeping phlox, the cages only need to be about 12-18 inches tall.
Apply Repellents
Use commercially available deer repellent sprays or dusts formulated with eggs, hot peppers, or predator urine scents that deter deer. Reapply frequently according to label directions. Homemade repellents like bars of deodorant soap or human hair clippings placed around plants may also help.
Grow Resistant Companion Plants
Surround creeping phlox with other deer-resistant plants like lavender, catmint, or geraniums. The strong scents of these plants can help mask the phlox. Plus, deer will be less likely to approach if they don’t like the neighboring vegetation.
Add Landscape Deterrents
Scatter deer-repelling objects around your garden beds. Some options are bags of human hair, bars of fragrant soap, plastic owls, reflective ribbons or balls, or ultrasonic animal repellers. The combination of sights, sounds, and smells helps scare deer away.
The Bottom Line on Phlox Deer Resistance
Creeping phlox has earned its reputation as one of the more deer-proof perennials for a variety of reasons. Its growth habit, foliage aroma, and lack of juicy flower buds make it unappealing to deer. Most gardeners confirm that deer do not touch their creeping phlox.
Of course, there are no truly deer-proof plants. In times of extreme hunger, deer will sample just about anything. Occasional nibbling on creeping phlox, especially flowers, may occur. But it is rarely an item on their primary menu.
If deer frequent your garden, take extra precautions like choosing the most resistant phlox varieties, installing physical barriers, and using deterrents. This will help ensure the deer keep moving along to browse on tastier options, keeping your beautiful creeping phlox untouched! With a few preventative measures, you can confidently grow this gorgeous spring groundcover even in deer-heavy environments.
How To Keep Deer Away From Phlox?
The best way to keep deer out of your garden is to surround it with a tall fence. You can surround your garden with prickly plants that they will want to avoid rubbing up against. There are smelly things that can keep deer away, but you have to change the scent every couple of weeks to keep them alert.
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Phlox is not a preferred plant for deer to eat. Deer tend not to be attracted to scented plants. Tall phlox dies back when exposed to frost. The aerial portion is dead during the winter months. Deer will eat from your garden all year, but they are less picky in the winter when their favorite foods might not be around. They may eat creeping phlox.
Rutgers University says that this plant is sometimes severely damaged on a scale that goes from “Rarely Damaged” to “Frequently Severely Damaged.”
| Rarely Damaged |
| Seldom Severely Damaged |
| Occasionally Severely Damaged |
| Frequently Severely Damaged |
Low maintenance plants, Creeping phlox
Is creeping phlox deer resistant?
Creeping phlox is considered deer resistant, but that doesn’t mean it’s deer proof. Planting it with other deer-resistant species will help to create a garden of plants deer don’t like! They’ll have nothing to feast on in your landscaping, so odds are, they won’t be back again.
Do deer eat creeping phlox?
Creeping phlox is a lovely perennial ground cover that will bloom seasonally in the spring. While deer forage for food as the season warms in spring, they will usually eat anything, but creeping phlox will deter them with its natural characteristics. Is Creeping Phlox Deer Resistant?
How to protect phlox garden from deer?
However, deer are more resistant to electrical deterrents than most other animals. This is yet another effective way of protecting your phlox garden from deer. When applied, it produces scents that keep deer away from your garden. This is because deer have a very acute sense of smell and generally dislike strong odors.
Will phlox grow back after deer eat it?
Phlox will grow back after deer eat them. If the damage occurs during the growing season, creeping phlox may continue to grow, but tall phlox may not grow back until next year. Phlox will flower again next year. Phlox may flower after being damaged, but it depends on the severity, timing of the damage, and the bloom time for individual species.