For annual flowers, “deer resistant” means plants deer usually avoid, especially when plenty of other food is available. It never means 100% deer‑proof, but some annuals are reliably skipped over in most gardens.

Top deer‑resistant annuals (sun)

These annuals are widely recommended as good choices where deer are a problem.

  • Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) – Colorful spikes; often left alone by deer.
  • Marigolds (Tagetes) – Strong scent and taste deer dislike; good for borders.
  • Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) – Low, fragrant carpet of blooms, rarely bothered.
  • Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) – Tough, drought‑tolerant, long‑blooming pom‑pom flowers.
  • Canna (grown as an annual where winters are cold) – Bold foliage and big flowers, usually avoided.
  • Wishbone flower (Torenia) – Great for part shade; flowers all summer, generally not eaten.
  • Angelonia – Heat‑loving “summer snapdragon,” noted as a good deer‑resistant annual.
  • Lantana – Very drought‑tolerant; foliage and scent are unappealing to deer.
  • Salvia – Many annual types are strongly scented and unattractive to deer.
  • Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) – Glossy leaves and blooms through heat; cited as a top deer‑resistant annual.
  • Wax begonias – Among the better begonias for resisting deer browsing.
  • Petunia & calibrachoa – Often listed as “lower on the menu” for deer, though not fully deer‑proof.
  • Sunflowers (especially some ornamental forms) – Sometimes listed as deer resistant, but young plants may still be nibbled.

More options often listed as deer resistant

Different garden centers and extension lists include these as annuals that deer tend to leave alone.

  • Ageratum
  • Allium (ornamental types)
  • Cosmos
  • Heliotrope
  • Nasturtium
  • Petunia
  • Verbena
  • Coleus
  • Dahlia (results vary; often “deer resistant,” not deer proof)
  • Lobelia
  • Osteospermum (African daisy)
  • Evolvulus
  • Some euphorbias used as bedding annuals

Think of these as “lower‑risk” choices: if deer are hungry enough, they may still taste them, but they are much less likely to be mowed down overnight than things like pansies, hostas, or tulips.

Quick planting tips for fewer deer problems

Even with deer‑resistant annuals, a few habits help:

  1. Mix and match
    • Plant several deer‑resistant annuals together so there’s no obvious “favorite” in the bed.
  1. Put tastier plants near the house
    • If you do grow more “deer candy” (like pansies), tuck them close to doors, patios, or in pots you can easily protect.
  1. Use deterrents during peak pressure
    • Rotating scent‑based sprays or repellents, especially right after planting or in early spring, can train local deer to avoid your beds.

Tiny mental picture 🌱

Imagine a front border full of snapdragons and marigolds with a soft edge of sweet alyssum spilling over the path, plus a pot of angelonia and lantana on each side of the steps. Deer might wander through, sniff around, and move on, leaving your bright annuals mostly untouched while they go elsewhere for dinner.

TL;DR: Good bets for deer‑resistant annual color include snapdragons, marigolds, sweet alyssum, globe amaranth, canna (as an annual), Torenia, angelonia, lantana, many salvias, annual vinca, wax begonias, and several others listed above. They’re not bulletproof, but they’re far less likely to be eaten than many common bedding plants.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.