Is Saponaria Deer Resistant?

Deer tend to find saponaria unpalatable.

Perhaps more than other garden pests, such as squirrels and skunks, hungry deer can cause irreparable damage to plants in your garden. Keeping deer out can be a challenge, but a combination of fencing, repellents and deer-resistant plants, such as saponaria, can help.

Deer Resistance

Deer tend to find plants in the saponaria family unpalatable. Also known as rock soapwort or bouncingbet, this perennial produces fragrant flowers. Deer tend to avoid plants with a strong aroma and a bitter taste.

Features

Saponaria produces clusters of five-petaled, white to pink flowers in the late summer and fall. Plants can grow up to 6 inches tall. Saponaria leaves can grow up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, and have 3 veins along each leaf. Saponaria stems produce a soap-like lather when smashed.

Habitat

Saponaria plants used to be cultivated for use as soap. Now the plant generally is considered a weed. Saponaria grows in pastures, fields and along roadsides. Plants usually grow in groups.

References

• Texas A&M University: Deer in the Urban Landscape
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Deer Resistant Plants Some Suggestions
• Cornell University, Mohonk Mountain House: Plant Recommendations for the Deer Infested Garden
• Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide: Bouncingbet or Soapwort: Saponaria Officinalis
• University of Minnesota Extension: Fragrant Annuals and Perennials

Resources

• West Virginia University Cooperative Extension: Deer Control in Home Gardens