Zinnias are some of the most popular garden flowers due to their colorful flowers and hardy nature. But can they withstand deer pressure? Stay with us to learn whether or not zinnias are deer resistant.
Are Zinnias Deer Resistant?
The short answer is yes; zinnias are deer resistant! That means you can plant them in your garden without worrying about these hoofed animals mowing them down.
Fortunately, deer dislike all stages of zinnia plants, including seedlings and mature plants. Therefore, you never have to worry about protecting your zinnia plants from hungry critters.
Other garden pests, such as rabbits and groundhogs, also avoid zinnias. However, these critters may feed on zinnia seedlings if they’re super hungry!
Zinnia Basics
Zinnias are a genus of plants in the Aster family. They’re known for their bright, colorful flowers and easy-to-care-for form.
Most zinnia species are annuals, but you can also find some perennial ones. All of these flowers prefer full sun and can tolerate various soil types and conditions.
Most types of zinnia flowers grow best in warm weather, so you should plant them outdoors in the spring or summer. As long as you continue to cut the flowers or deadhead old blooms, you can enjoy fresh blooms for months on end.
What Pests Eat Zinnias?
Even though zinnias are typically safe from deer and rabbits, they are susceptible to damage from other pests.
One of the most common pests of zinnias is the Japanese beetle. These invasive pests dine on zinnia leaves and flowers, leaving jagged holes or even destroying entire plants.
Unfortunately, these beetles can be difficult to control. If you pot them, you can spray the plants with neem oil or a pyrethrin-based insecticide. Continue to apply these products about once a week in order to keep the beetles at bay.
You can also apply beneficial nematodes in the spring or fall. These microscopic creatures can kill the below-ground larvae and prevent adult beetles from emerging in the summer.
What Deer-Resistant Plants Go Well with Zinnias?
While zinnias are beautiful on their own, you may want a garden with a few different flowers. And if you’re dealing with heavy deer pressure, it’s wise to plant deer-resistant plants.
The following plants go well with zinnias and are unappealing to deer.
Snapdragons
Sure, we love the snapdragon’s beautiful spiked flowers. But deer? They could care less.
Snapdragons prefer cooler weather than zinnias, so you can plant them in your garden when the danger of the first frost has passed. By the time the plants are ready to flower, you can go ahead and plant your zinnias.
As long as temperatures don’t get too hot, both plants will continue to bloom throughout the summer.
Poppies
Not only are poppies beautiful, but they also contain the compound opium. While humans use this compound to create drugs such as morphine, codeine, and heroin, deer avoid it.
It’s true that common poppies and California poppies don’t contain as much opium as the opium poppy. However, they contain enough of the substance that deer avoid consuming them.
Both poppies and zinnias grow well when they are direct-seeded, which makes them good companions for flowering meadows and wild-looking gardens.
Foxglove
Although you can find a wide variation between zinnia flower color and texture, all zinnias produce round flowers. Adding some spiked flowers to your garden can provide a nice contrast to these globe-like blooms.
Foxglove plants produce tall flower spikes that house bell-shaped blooms. And while these flowers are gorgeous, deer leave them alone.
These plants are either biennials or perennials, so you’ll need to plan a bit ahead when adding them to your garden. However, once you plant them in your garden, you’ll be rewarded with at least a year of gorgeous flowers.
Are Zinnias Deer Resistant FAQs:
Do Zinnias Help Repel Deer?
While deer won’t munch on zinnia plants, they may still wander into your garden. That’s because zinnias don’t repel deer.
What Animals Eat Zinnias?
Pests such as Japanese beetles, slugs, and aphids can attack and consume zinnias. However, these plants are typically safe from deer and rabbits.
What Flowers Do Deer Dislike?
Deer generally dislike zinnias, marigolds, foxglove, daffodils, poppies, and snapdragons.
Wrapping Up
While humans love zinnias, deer tend to avoid them. That means you can plant them in your garden without worrying about deer destroying them.
For more, see our in-depth guide to the best companion plants for Zinnias and the uses and benefits of zinnias.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State University. She manages a small market garden where she grows vegetables and herbs. She also enjoys growing flowers and houseplants at home.
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