Do Rabbits And Deer Eat Lavender

Rabbits and deer do eat lavender, but only under certain circumstances, and it’s rarely their first choice.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether rabbits and deer eat lavender in your garden, the answer is a bit of a balancing act.
 
Some gardeners swear lavender keeps these critters away, while others wake up to nibbled stems and wonder what went wrong.
 
The truth is that rabbits and deer can eat lavender, but they usually avoid it unless food is scarce.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why rabbits and deer eat lavender sometimes, what makes lavender less appealing to them, and how you can protect your plants.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Rabbits and Deer Might Eat Lavender

Rabbits and deer eat lavender when their usual food sources run low, and hunger overrides their natural dislike for its scent.
 
Lavender contains aromatic oils like linalool and camphor, which give it that strong, calming fragrance.
 
For most rabbits and deer, that scent is overwhelming and signals that the plant might taste bitter or unpleasant.
 
But in winter, drought, or early spring when tender greens are scarce, rabbits and deer will eat lavender out of pure desperation.
 
Let’s look at the specific reasons why rabbits and deer eat lavender despite its defenses.
 

1. Desperation Drives Rabbits and Deer to Eat Lavender

The single biggest reason rabbits and deer eat lavender is a lack of better options.
 
When snow covers the ground or a dry spell kills off grasses and clover, these animals become less picky.
 
Lavender is evergreen in many climates, meaning it stays green and accessible when other plants have died back.
 
So while rabbits and deer don’t crave lavender, they’ll sample it if they’re starving and see it as a meal.
 
Younger animals, especially those learning what’s safe to eat, are more likely to test lavender and take a few bites.
 

2. Tender New Growth Attracts Rabbits and Deer to Eat Lavender

Rabbits and deer eat lavender more readily when it puts out fresh, soft shoots in the spring.
 
New growth has lower concentrations of those aromatic oils compared to mature woody stems and leaves.
 
That makes young lavender tips taste milder and less bitter, which can tempt rabbits and deer to take a taste.
 
If you’ve just pruned your lavender or planted new cuttings, those tender bits are at the highest risk.
 
Mature lavender with its tough leaves and strong oil content is far less appealing to rabbits and deer.
 

3. Individual Animal Preferences Mean Rabbits and Deer Eat Lavender Sometimes

Just like people, individual rabbits and deer have different taste preferences.
 
Some animals seem to genuinely not mind lavender and will nibble it even when other food is available.
 
This is rare, but it happens, especially if an animal has become accustomed to the taste over time.
 
Deer that frequently pass through an area may eventually get brave enough to try lavender repeatedly.
 
Rabbits, with their constant need to gnaw, might also chew on lavender stems out of curiosity more than hunger.
 
So don’t assume your lavender is completely safe just because the neighborhood deer usually stick to your hostas.
 

When Rabbits and Deer Eat Lavender, What Damage Looks Like

If rabbits and deer eat lavender, you’ll notice specific signs that differ from insect damage or disease.
 
Deer tend to leave ragged, torn edges because they don’t have upper front teeth and must twist and pull.
 
Rabbits, on the other hand, clip stems cleanly at a 45-degree angle with their sharp incisors.
 
You might also see missing flower spikes, stripped lower leaves, or entire young plants eaten down to the ground.
 
Deer often graze lavender from the top down, leaving a flat-topped or uneven appearance on the shrub.
 
If you wake up to a lavender plant that looks like someone took scissors to it, rabbits likely visited overnight.
 
Deer damage tends to occur at dawn or dusk, while rabbits are most active in the early morning and evening hours.
 
When rabbits and deer eat lavender repeatedly, the plant can become stressed and may not bloom as vigorously.
 
Heavy damage on young lavender can even kill it, especially if the animal strips away all the tender bark.
 

How to Stop Rabbits and Deer from Eating Lavender

You can discourage rabbits and deer from eating lavender with several effective, natural strategies.
 
The goal isn’t to make your garden a fortress, but to make lavender less accessible and less appealing.
 
Let’s go through the best ways to keep rabbits and deer from eating lavender in your yard.
 

1. Plant Lavender as a Natural Deterrent Border

Ironically, the best way to keep rabbits and deer from eating lavender is to use it as a barrier around other plants.
 
Because most rabbits and deer dislike lavender’s smell, they’ll often avoid crossing a dense row of it.
 
Plant lavender along the edges of your vegetable garden or around prized flower beds.
 
This works best when lavender is tall and bushy, as it creates a fragrant wall that discourages entry.
 
Just keep in mind that this deterrent effect fades if food is extremely scarce, as we mentioned earlier.
 

2. Use Physical Barriers When Rabbits and Deer Eat Lavender Repeatedly

If you have a persistent problem, fencing is your most reliable defense against rabbits and deer eating lavender.
 
For rabbits, a simple 2-foot-high wire fence with small mesh holes buried a few inches underground works wonders.
 
Deer require much taller fencing, at least 6 to 8 feet high, because they’re excellent jumpers.
 
You can also place individual wire cages around young lavender plants until they mature and become less tasty.
 
Once lavender is established and its oils are stronger, you can often remove these cages for good.
 

3. Apply Scent-Based Repellents to Protect Lavender

Commercial repellents that smell like predator urine or rotten eggs can make rabbits and deer avoid lavender.
 
You can spray these directly on your lavender, but be sure to reapply after rain or heavy dew.
 
Homemade repellents with garlic, hot pepper, or dish soap also work to mask lavender’s scent temporarily.
 
Just remember that rabbits and deer eat lavender more when hungry, so repellents lose their power in tough times.
 
Rotating different repellents every few weeks prevents animals from getting used to any single scent.
 

4. Provide Alternative Food Sources to Distract Rabbits and Deer

One clever trick is to plant a small patch of highly attractive plants away from your lavender.
 
Clover, alfalfa, or even dandelions can draw rabbits and deer away from your lavender beds.
 
This sacrificial planting strategy works best on larger properties where you have room to spare.
 
If rabbits and deer eat lavender because they’re hungry, giving them a better option nearby reduces damage.
 
Just make sure the alternative food is far enough from your lavender to actually work as a distraction.
 

So, Do Rabbits and Deer Eat Lavender?

Yes, rabbits and deer do eat lavender, but only when they’re desperate or when the plant is young and tender.
 
In normal conditions, most rabbits and deer avoid lavender because of its strong scent and bitter taste.
 
But don’t rely entirely on lavender as a foolproof deterrent, because hungry animals will eat almost anything.
 
The best approach is to combine lavender’s natural repellent properties with fencing, repellents, and strategic planting.
 
If you’ve been asking whether rabbits and deer eat lavender, now you know the full story behind their behavior.
 
Use these tips to keep your lavender lush and beautiful, and you’ll enjoy its fragrance without sharing it with your local wildlife.
 
Happy gardening, and here’s to lavender that stays exactly where you planted it.