There are a lot of myths out there about what deer do and do not eat. Many homeowners and gardeners are concerned that their hard gardening work can be undone by deer and other animals. One common question is: do deer eat mums?
Yes, deer eat mums if they happen across them while grazing, but they don’t intentionally seek mums out. While mums are not a major part of their diet, they provide vitamins and minerals which are critical to deer survival.
There’s a bit more to learn about deer eating mums which we’ll cover in today’s guide. Read on for more info.
Why Do Deer Eat Mums?
As we covered, deer will eat mums when they’ve got the chance if they’re already grazing, but they won’t specifically target mums.
But why do they do this?
Mums (short for chrysanthemums) are a type of flowering plant that is naturally deer-resistant because of the strong odors that the flowers produce.
Deer like to eat green plants like mums so occasionally they will nibble on them if they are in an area next to something else that they’re already eating from.
This was confirmed in a 1999 study on deer plant eating habits by Cornell University.
Flowers like mums contain both sugar and nutrients, which makes them an ideal food source for deer.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like mums based on opportunity.
Mums 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 mums out for deer to eat (or plant some), and wait to see what happens!
How To Keep Deer Away From Mums
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re protecting mums from 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 Mums Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
Fortunately, mature mums can withstand some nipping from deer, and will recover with time.
Others propagate very easily by spreading seeds so more will grow back even if deer get to them.
If deer happen to munch down your mums, continue regular care of your plants including watering and fertilizer as necessary until they’re back to good health.
Are Mums Good For Deer?
Yes, mums are very healthy for deer to eat.
Feeding deer mums provides them with the following vitamins and minerals:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Phosphorus
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.
- Deer need calcium for bone, teeth, and antler growth and health as well as other bodily functions like milk production and metabolism.
- Phosphorus also aids deer in body and antler growth.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Mums 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 mums can be “stored up” for later use, which is highly beneficial.
Water-Soluble Vitamins In Mums 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 mums for the vitamin C or potassium content must continue to consume foods that contain these necessary vitamins to stay healthy.
Do Deer Eat Mums? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat mums?
The answer is yes!
Deer will eat mums if they’re available, and they can actually benefit from the vitamins and minerals found in these peels.
Just be sure to take care with your scent, the size of the portion, and how many deer you’re feeding when placing mums out for them.
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: