If you’re like most gardeners, you probably have at least a few Water Lilies in your yard. water lilies are beautiful flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden. But do deer eat water lilies?
Yes – deer will eat the blooms, buds, leaves, and even the stems of water lilies. Deer are attracted to water lilies because they’re usually well-watered, easily available, and are tasty to them.
Considering that a single deer can eat several pounds of plants each day, you can see how deer eating water lilies can really do some serious damage to your garden!
In this article, we’ll discuss how to stop deer from eating your water lilies and keep them healthy and beautiful all season long.
Why Do Deer Eat Water Lilies?
As we covered, deer will eat every part of a water lily flower (stem, leaves, seeds, blooms, bud, and all) when they’ve got the chance.
But why do they do this?
Deer like lush plants that are well-watered and fertilized, and water lilies check every box.
Also they are most likely to mow down your flowers during spring, because they’re really hungry after a long winter.
Deer can do some serious damage to a large amount of water lily flower plants in a single sitting if they’re hungry enough!
This was confirmed in a 1999 study on deer plant eating habits by Cornell University.
Flowers like water lilies contain water, sugar, protein, and nutrients, which makes them an ideal food source for deer.
And don’t think that your newer water lilies are safe either: deer actually prefer new growth because they’re more tender.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like water lilies based on opportunity.
Water lily plants attract deer because they are planted in the ground or in pots, so they’re easy to access.
If you’re not convinced, leave some potted water lilies out or plant some, and wait to see what happens!
How Do I Keep Deer From Eating My Water Lilies?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re protecting water lilies from hungry deer: their habits, your scent, repellent options, and when you plant them.
Deer will eat nearly anything if they’re hungry enough, so your main goal is making your garden as least inviting to deer as possible.
Check out our guide on how to keep deer from eating plants where we cover 25 quick and easy tips for keeping hungry deer out of your garden.
Will My Water Lilies Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
Fortunately, water lilies can withstand some moderate chewing from deer.
They’re designed to be regularly pruned, almost like a shrub in your yard.
Unless the deer have severely chomped down your water lilies to the stems, expect stems to branch out and regrow after being eaten by deer.
If deer happen to munch down your water lilies, continue regular care of your plants, fertilizing them as necessary until they’re back to good health.
Are Water Lilies Good For Deer To Eat?
There are no nutritional studies or facts available on Water Lilies in terms of vitamins and nutrients that they contain.
Water lilies are typically used for improving liver and kidney function and as an inflammation reducer.
It is believed that these benefits may translate to deer eating Water Lilies as well.
Are Water Lilies Good For Deer To Eat?
Deer eating water lilies provides them with the following vitamins and minerals:
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Copper
These vitamins and minerals provide deer with many benefits.
Magnesium is great for antler growth, increasing body weight, and has immune system benefits for deer.
Manganese assists deer in growth, respiration, and reproduction.
Phosphorus also aids deer in body and antler growth.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Water Lilies For Deer
Vitamins A, D, E, K, and calcium are fat-soluble, so they can be stored in the deer’s fat and liver to be used later as needed.
This means that vitamin A content from deer eating water lilies can be “stored up” for later use, which is highly beneficial.
Water-Soluble Vitamins in Water Lilies For Deer
Vitamin C, B Vitamins, niacin, folic acid, and potassium are all water-soluble, which means they cannot be stored, so they must be replaced continually.
So a deer that eats water lilies for the potassium content must continue to consume foods that contain these necessary vitamins to stay healthy.
Do Deer Eat Water Lilies? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat water lilies?
The answer is yes!
Deer will eat all the water lilies they can, especially during spring when they’re hungry after a long winter and the flower, stems, and leaves are the most tender.
Fortunately there are many methods you can use and combine to keep deer away from your precious water lilies. Try a few and see what works best for you.
Have any observations to add to the discussion? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Check our our other helpful wildlife guides while you’re here:
