Do Deer Eat Begonias? What Gardeners Should Know
Discover if your beloved begonias are on the deer menu, plus practical protection strategies to keep these woodland creatures from treating your garden like a salad bar.
Well, wouldn't ya know it? You've spent weeks nurturing those gorgeous begonias, admiring their vibrant colors and lush foliage, only to wake up one morning and find them looking like they've been through the garden equivalent of a zombie apocalypse. The culprit? Those adorable-yet-infuriating woodland creatures that treat your garden like their personal all-you-can-eat buffet. Yep, I'm talking about deer.
The question "Do deer eat begonias? What gardeners should know" is one I've wrestled with myself after watching my neighbor's prized begonia collection become a midnight snack for our local deer population. These graceful creatures may look innocent with their big brown eyes and gentle demeanor, but make no mistake—they're opportunistic feeders with voracious appetites and apparently zero respect for the hours you've poured into your garden.
In this deep dive, we'll explore the complicated relationship between deer and begonias, break down which varieties might stand a fighting chance, and share some battle-tested strategies to protect your precious plants. So grab your gardening gloves and let's dig in—metaphorically speaking, of course!
The Deer Dining Dilemma: Understanding What Attracts Them
Before we tackle the burning question of whether deer eat begonias, let's get inside the mind (and stomach) of these garden-grazing bandits.
Deer Dietary Preferences
Deer aren't particularly picky eaters when hunger strikes, but they do have preferences:
Tender, new growth gets their attention first
Sweet-tasting plants are like deer candy
Fertilized plants (which are more nutritious) become prime targets
Plants with strong scents or fuzzy textures tend to be less appealing
Bitter-tasting foliage usually gets a hard pass
Their palate changes with the seasons too. During spring and summer, they're all about the tender greens and flowers. Come fall and winter, when food becomes scarce, suddenly that "deer-resistant" plant might not be so resistant after all.
The Opportunistic Forager
Here's the kicker about deer: they're creatures of adaptation. A deer in a suburban neighborhood with limited natural food sources behaves differently than woodland deer with abundant native vegetation. This means that local deer populations develop their own unique tastes based on what's available.
As my grandmother used to say, "A hungry deer is an adventurous deer." When food is scarce, these animals will eat plants they'd normally avoid. It's like how you might suddenly find those brussels sprouts appetizing if there's nothing else in the fridge!
Do Deer Eat Begonias? What Gardeners Should Know About Vulnerability
Alright, let's cut to the chase—do deer eat begonias? The answer is... drumroll please... sometimes. I know, I know, that's about as helpful as a chocolate teapot, but hear me out.
The Begonia Buffet Reality
In the world of deer cuisine, begonias fall into what I call the "depends on the day" category. Here's the breakdown:
Generally Low Preference: Most begonias aren't deer's first choice due to their waxy leaves and occasionally bitter taste
Variety Matters: Some begonia varieties are more tempting than others (more on this in a bit)
Hunger Level Factors: During drought or early spring when other food is scarce, all bets are off
Local Deer Behavior: Some deer populations have developed a taste for plants that others avoid
I learned this the hard way when my wax begonias remained untouched all season while my neighbor's tuberous begonias were practically deer delivery pizza.
Signs That Deer Are Dining on Your Begonias
How do you know if it's actually deer turning your begonias into a midnight snack? Let's play garden detective.
Telltale Evidence of Deer Damage
Look for these smoking guns:
Clean Cuts: Deer lack upper front teeth, so they tear plants, leaving a ragged edge rather than the clean cut of rabbit damage
Height of Damage: Typically 2-5 feet off the ground (unless you're dealing with Bambi's athletic cousins)
Selective Feeding: Often they'll eat flowers and tender growth but leave tougher stems
Hoof Prints: Small heart-shaped prints in soft soil around your plants
Droppings: Small pellet-like droppings near damaged plants (sorry for the visual)
Damage Pattern: Deer tend to browse in a line as they move through a garden
I once thought I had some weird plant disease until I spotted a family of deer casually strolling away from my garden at dawn, looking suspiciously satisfied.
Protection Strategies: Keeping Bambi Away from Your Begonias
Alright, so we've established that the answer to "Do deer eat begonias? What gardeners should know" is essentially "Yes, if they feel like it." Now let's talk about how to keep these four-legged salad-seekers away from your prized plants.
Physical Barriers: The Fortress Approach
When it comes to guaranteed protection, nothing beats a good physical barrier:
Fencing: The gold standard of deer protection—but it needs to be at least 8 feet tall (deer can jump like Olympic athletes)
Netting: More affordable but less attractive; effective when draped over plants
Protective Cages: Individual wire cages work well for prized specimens
Fishing Line Barriers: Strange but true—stringing fishing line at various heights around beds can confuse and deter deer
I went with the fishing line trick around my begonia bed, and my neighbor thought I'd lost my marbles until she noticed her begonias were disappearing while mine remained intact.
Repellents: The Sensory Deterrents
If physical barriers aren't practical, try offending deer's sensitive noses and taste buds:
Commercial Repellents: Products like Liquid Fence, Deer Off, or Plantskydd that make plants taste or smell unpleasant
Homemade Concoctions: Mixtures of eggs, hot sauce, garlic, soap, or predator urine (yes, really)
Aromatic Herbs: Planting strongly scented herbs like lavender, rosemary, or mint near begonias
Bar Soap: Hanging strongly scented soap bars (Irish Spring is a popular choice) near vulnerable plants
The downside? Most repellents need regular reapplication, especially after rain. And some smell so bad you might question whether having begonias is worth it!
Companion Planting: The Distraction Strategy
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense—or in this case, a distraction:
Deer Candy Plants: Plant known deer favorites away from your garden to lure them elsewhere
Deer-Detesting Plants: Surround begonias with plants deer actively avoid (yarrow, foxglove, daffodils)
Aromatic Barrier Plants: Create a perimeter of strongly scented plants like catmint, sage, or oregano
My neighbor created what she calls a "deer detour" of clover and apples at the edge of her property, and suddenly her garden was no longer the neighborhood deer diner.
Deer-Resistant Alternatives to Vulnerable Begonias
If you're in a deer-heavy area and tired of the constant battle, consider pivoting to plants that deer typically avoid.
Stellar Substitutes with Similar Appeal
These plants offer similar aesthetic benefits to begonias but with better deer resistance:
Coleus: Vibrant foliage, similar growing conditions, rarely bothered by deer
Geraniums: Strongly scented leaves and bright flowers that deer typically avoid
Dusty Miller: Silver foliage adds the same contrast as begonias
Coral Bells (Heuchera): Colorful foliage in similar shades to Rex begonias
Caladium: Dramatic foliage for shade that deer rarely touch
I reluctantly switched part of my begonia display to coleus and heuchera, and I'll admit—the deer did me a favor. The combination is stunning, and I can actually enjoy it without standing guard all night!
Location Strategies: Do Deer Eat Begonias? What Gardeners Should Know About Placement
Sometimes, it's not about what you plant but where you plant it that makes all the difference.
Strategic Placement for Begonia Success
Consider these location tactics:
Close to Human Activity: Plant vulnerable begonias near patios, doors, or other high-traffic areas
Elevated Positions: Hanging baskets, tall containers, or window boxes can place begonias out of reach
Enclosed Spaces: Courtyard gardens or areas surrounded by buildings offer natural protection
Tiered Protection: Place begonias behind layers of strongly scented or prickly plants
I moved my tuberous begonias to containers on my deck, and it's worked beautifully—deer are too wary of the human activity to venture up for a nibble.
Container Growing: The Moveable Feast Solution
Containers offer the ultimate flexibility:
Move plants to protected areas at night or during peak deer activity
Elevate containers on stands or walls
Group containers near the house for better protection
Bring especially vulnerable varieties indoors during periods of high deer pressure
My garden club friend wheels her prized begonia collection into her screened porch every evening—a bit much for my taste, but she hasn't lost a single plant!
Seasonal Considerations for Begonia Protection
Extra Protection During Vulnerable Times
During high-risk periods:
Apply repellents more frequently
Use temporary fencing or netting
Move container plants to safer locations
Harvest tuberous begonia bulbs earlier than strictly necessary
Community Solutions: Neighborhood Approaches to Deer Management
Sometimes the most effective strategies involve working with your neighbors—because deer don't respect property lines.
Coordinated Neighborhood Efforts
Consider these community approaches:
Shared Fencing: Split the cost of perimeter fencing with neighbors
Consistent Repellent Use: Coordinate types and application schedules
Community Planting Strategies: Create deer-resistant buffer zones
Educated Neighbors: Share information about not feeding deer (intentionally or otherwise)
After my entire street agreed to stop feeding wildlife and implemented a rotating repellent schedule, we saw a dramatic decrease in deer damage across all our gardens.
Conclusion
So, do deer eat begonias? What gardeners should know is that while begonias aren't deer's favorite menu item, they're definitely not off the table either. The good news is that with a strategic combination of physical barriers, repellents, thoughtful placement, and perhaps a bit of compromise, you can enjoy these beautiful plants even in deer country. Remember that no single solution works perfectly forever—successful deer deterrence is more like an ongoing conversation than a one-time fix. By understanding deer behavior and remaining flexible in your approach, you can reach that garden nirvana where both your begonias and the local deer population can coexist, preferably with the deer dining elsewhere!
Read next: Are Begonias Annuals or Perennials? Get the Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are any begonia varieties completely deer-proof?
No begonia is 100% deer-proof, but wax begonias tend to resist browsing better than tuberous types.
2. Will coffee grounds repel deer from my begonias?
Coffee grounds may help temporarily but require frequent reapplication and work best combined with other deterrents.
3. Can I use human hair to keep deer away?
Human hair in mesh bags around the garden may repel deer briefly, but its effectiveness diminishes quickly.
4. Do motion-activated sprinklers actually work?
Yes, they're quite effective as deer dislike unexpected sprays of water and will often avoid returning.
5. Will my begonias recover if deer eat them?
Most begonias will recover from light to moderate deer damage if given proper care afterward.
