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Groundhogs do eat lavender plants, but here’s the twist—they usually only munch on them when tastier options are scarce.
If you’ve been noticing nibbled stems or missing blooms in your garden and wondering, “do groundhogs eat lavender plants?” the answer is yes, but lavender isn’t their first choice on the menu.
These critters are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll sample almost anything green, but the strong scent and bitter taste of lavender often keep them at bay unless they’re desperate.
In this post, we’ll dig into why groundhogs might eat lavender plants, how to tell if they’ve been snacking on yours, and the best ways to protect your lavender from these furry visitors.
Let’s get right into it.
Why Groundhogs Eat Lavender Plants
Groundhogs eat lavender plants for a few practical reasons, even though lavender isn’t their favorite food.
1. Groundhogs Are Not Picky When Hungry
Do groundhogs eat lavender plants when their usual food sources run dry?
Absolutely, because groundhogs are herbivores with a broad palate.
They love clover, dandelions, and garden veggies, but when those aren’t available, they’ll turn to whatever’s growing, including your lavender.
Young groundhogs, especially, are more likely to test new plants, and lavender might just end up as a snack during their exploratory phase.
2. Lavender’s Aroma Isn’t Always a Deterrent
Many gardeners assume the strong scent of lavender repels groundhogs, but that’s not always true.
While groundhogs eat lavender plants less frequently than other plants because of the essential oils, their sense of smell adapts over time.
If a groundhog is hungry enough, the pungent aroma becomes less off-putting, and they’ll take a bite anyway.
Also, different lavender varieties have varying oil concentrations, so some types might taste milder and be more appealing to groundhogs.
3. Tender New Growth Is a Tempting Target
Groundhogs eat lavender plants most often when the plants are young and putting out fresh, tender shoots.
Springtime lavender growth is softer and less woody, making it easier to chew and digest.
Older, woodier lavender stems are less appealing, so groundhogs usually focus on the newer foliage and flower buds.
If your lavender is just getting established, it’s at the highest risk of groundhog damage.
How To Tell If Groundhogs Are Eating Your Lavender
Wondering if groundhogs eat lavender plants in your garden specifically?
Look for these telltale signs to confirm your suspicions.
1. Clean Cuts on Stems and Leaves
Unlike insects that leave jagged edges, groundhogs have sharp incisors that create clean, angled cuts.
If you see lavender stems that look snipped off neatly, especially near the ground level, a groundhog is likely the culprit.
2. Droppings Near the Plants
Groundhogs leave scattered, oval-shaped droppings that are about an inch long.
Check the soil around your lavender for these droppings, and you’ll know groundhogs are visiting.
3. Tracks and Burrow Holes Close By
Groundhogs dig burrows with large dirt mounds at the entrance.
If you spot a burrow within 50 feet of your lavender bed, it’s a strong sign they’re the ones feasting on your plants.
Also, look for footprints in soft soil; groundhogs have five toes on their front feet and flat-footed rear tracks.
Will Groundhogs Eat Established Lavender or Just New Plants?
The answer comes down to the plant’s age and your local groundhog population’s feeding habits.
Groundhogs eat lavender plants of any age, but they’ll nearly always choose younger, less aromatic growth first.
Mature lavender develops a stronger concentration of linalool and camphor, compounds that give it that distinctive smell and bitter taste.
Established lavender is more likely to survive a groundhog attack because the woody base is tough and unpalatable.
However, if you have a persistent groundhog that’s figured out lavender is edible, they may keep coming back to strip the soft tips off even mature plants.
In some cases, groundhogs will sample lavender and quickly move on, leaving just a few damaged branches.
In other cases, they’ll flatten entire young lavender plants if the population is high.
How to Keep Groundhogs From Eating Your Lavender Plants
You know groundhogs eat lavender plants, so now it’s time to protect your garden with proven strategies.
1. Install a Fence That Actually Works
The most reliable way to stop groundhogs is a fence buried at least 12 inches deep.
Groundhogs are excellent diggers, so a fence that only sits on the surface won’t stop them.
Use chicken wire or hardware cloth with openings no larger than 2 inches, and bend the bottom outward in an L-shape to block digging attempts.
Make the fence at least 3 feet tall above ground, since groundhogs are decent climbers when motivated.
2. Use Repellents That Target Their Sense of Smell
Since groundhogs eat lavender plants partly out of necessity, you can make your lavender less appealing with strong scents.
Granular repellents containing garlic, capsaicin, or predator urine (like fox or coyote) work well.
Apply them around the perimeter of your lavender bed and reapply after rain.
You can also spray a homemade mixture of water, hot sauce, and a few drops of dish soap directly on the lavender leaves.
This makes the taste unpleasant without harming the plant or the groundhog.
3. Create a Decoy Food Patch
If groundhogs eat lavender plants because better food is missing, give them something else to snack on.
Plant a small patch of clover or alfalfa at the edge of your property, away from your lavender.
Groundhogs prefer these tasty greens over lavender, so they’ll likely fill up there and leave your herbs alone.
Remember to maintain this decoy patch, or the groundhogs will wander back to your lavender out of hunger.
4. Remove Hiding Spots and Brush Piles
Groundhogs feel safe when they have cover nearby while they eat.
Clear away tall grass, wood piles, and dense shrubs that give them a hiding route to your lavender.
Keeping your lawn mowed short reduces their confidence and makes them more vulnerable to predators, so they’ll visit less often.
5. Try Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Groundhogs eat lavender plants in the early morning and late afternoon.
A motion-activated sprinkler will spray them with water when they approach, scaring them off.
After a few unexpected dousings, groundhogs learn to avoid that area entirely.
This method is humane, chemical-free, and works well during dry spells when water is a welcome surprise.
So, Do Groundhogs Eat Lavender Plants?
Yes, groundhogs do eat lavender plants, but they’re not their preferred meal.
Groundhogs will eat lavender plants when food is scarce, when the plants are young and tender, or when they’ve simply gotten used to the taste.
The good news is that lavender’s strong aroma and bitter oils make it a last-resort food, so you don’t need to panic if you spot a groundhog nearby.
With the right fencing, repellents, and a little distraction, you can keep your lavender thriving and enjoy those purple blooms all season long.
Now you know exactly how to handle these furry garden visitors.
Happy gardening, and may your lavender stay safe and fragrant.