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Groundhogs will eat lavender, but only occasionally and usually not enough to destroy the plant.
If you’ve been asking, “will groundhogs eat lavender?” the short answer is yes, groundhogs will eat lavender, though it’s rarely their first choice.
Lavender contains strong aromatic oils that most groundhogs find unappealing, so they tend to leave it alone unless other food is scarce.
That said, a hungry groundhog will eat lavender, especially the tender new growth, buds, and soft stems.
In this post, we’ll look at whether groundhogs eat lavender, when they’re most likely to snack on it, and how to protect your lavender plants if these critters come visiting.
Let’s dig in.
Why Groundhogs Might Eat Lavender
Groundhogs will eat lavender, and there are a few clear reasons why:
1. Groundhogs Are Opportunistic Feeders
The main reason groundhogs eat lavender comes down to their nature as opportunistic feeders.
Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are herbivores that munch on a wide range of plants, from clover and dandelions to garden vegetables and flowering shrubs.
When their favorite foods run low, they’ll happily turn to lavender as a backup meal.
That’s why you might notice groundhog damage on lavender even though it’s not a preferred food.
2. Young Shoots Are Tender and Tasty
Groundhogs eat lavender most often when the plant is young and tender.
Fresh spring growth is soft, juicy, and easy to chew, which makes it far more appealing than the woody, mature stems.
If a groundhog wanders into your garden in early spring, those new lavender shoots can look like a tasty snack.
This is why young lavender plants suffer more groundhog damage than established ones.
3. Food Scarcity Drives Them to Lavender
When food is scarce, groundhogs will eat lavender even though they usually avoid it.
Late summer droughts, early frosts, or a garden stripped of other options can push a hungry groundhog to nibble on plants it would normally skip.
So if you’ve had a dry season and your lavender suddenly looks chewed, a hungry groundhog may be the culprit.
4. They Sometimes Eat the Flowers and Buds
Groundhogs will eat lavender flowers and buds, not just the leaves.
The blooms are soft and fragrant, and some groundhogs develop a taste for them once they’ve tried them.
If you notice your lavender’s flower spikes disappearing overnight, a groundhog could be the reason.
Why Groundhogs Usually Avoid Lavender
Even though groundhogs will eat lavender, they often leave it alone, and here’s why:
1. Strong Aroma Acts as a Deterrent
Lavender’s intense scent comes from oils like linalool and camphor, which many animals find off-putting.
Groundhogs rely heavily on smell to decide what’s worth eating, and lavender’s fragrance often sends them looking elsewhere.
That’s why many gardeners plant lavender specifically to keep groundhogs and other pests away.
2. The Oils Taste Bitter
Those same aromatic oils give lavender a bitter, slightly soapy taste that groundhogs don’t enjoy.
A single nibble is often enough for a groundhog to move on to something tastier.
So while groundhogs can eat lavender, they usually won’t finish the plant.
3. Tougher Stems Are Hard to Chew
Mature lavender plants have woody, fibrous stems that are tough for groundhogs to chew through.
Groundhogs prefer soft, succulent plants, so an established lavender shrub isn’t an easy meal.
That’s why older lavender plants tend to survive groundhog visits better than seedlings.
How to Stop Groundhogs From Eating Lavender
If groundhogs are eating your lavender, here’s how to protect it:
1. Use Physical Barriers
A low fence buried a foot deep will keep groundhogs away from your lavender.
Groundhogs are talented diggers, so burying the fence bottom prevents them from tunneling underneath.
2. Plant Lavender in Raised Beds
Raised beds make it harder for groundhogs to reach your lavender.
Combined with a wire mesh bottom, a raised bed keeps digging groundhogs out.
3. Apply Repellents
Scent-based repellents made with garlic, cayenne, or predator urine can discourage groundhogs from eating lavender.
Reapply after rain, since the scent fades quickly.
4. Harvest Lavender Early
Harvesting lavender blooms early reduces the tender growth groundhogs like to eat.
It also keeps your plants tidy and encourages more flowers next season.
So, Will Groundhogs Eat Lavender?
Groundhogs will eat lavender, but it’s rarely their first choice.
Their opportunistic feeding habits, love of tender shoots, and hunger during scarce seasons can all push them to nibble on lavender.
That said, lavender’s strong aroma, bitter oils, and tough stems usually keep groundhogs from doing serious damage.
Hope this post has helped you understand whether groundhogs eat lavender and how to protect your plants if they do.