Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a popular herb grown in gardens worldwide, known for their delicate onion flavor and attractive lavender flowers. Gardeners frequently face the challenge of protecting their plants from browsing deer, a concern that leads many to question the vulnerability of their herb beds. The specific behavior of deer toward chives, a plant in the Allium family, is a common topic of inquiry for those seeking a more deer-resistant landscape. Understanding the plant’s natural properties provides the answer to whether this common garden herb is safe from hungry browsers.
The Specific Answer: Deer Avoidance of Chives
Deer generally do not consume chives, classifying the plant as highly deer-resistant. The strong, pungent aroma and taste of chives make them unpalatable to most grazing animals. Chives are often listed in the “Rarely Damaged” category on deer resistance scales, indicating a very low likelihood of being eaten. While deer may sample new plants out of curiosity, they rarely consume chives in significant quantity. Deer are selective eaters and consistently choose less strongly scented plants, establishing chives as an unsuitable food source.
The Chemical Reason: Why Alliums Repel Deer
The strong aversion deer exhibit toward chives is rooted in the plant’s unique biochemistry as a member of the Allium genus. Chives, along with other alliums, naturally produce sulfur-containing organic compounds. These compounds are stored in the plant’s cells and are released as volatile, pungent substances when the tissue is damaged by chewing. These chemicals are responsible for the characteristic, sharp odor and bitter flavor that deer find highly offensive. This built-in chemical defense mechanism acts as a powerful deterrent, signaling that the plant is not a desirable food source.
Practical Considerations: Context and Use in Deer Management
The deer resistance of chives makes them a valuable tool for gardeners, but their effectiveness is not absolute. Deer are opportunistic herbivores, and exceptions can occur when food is scarce, such as during severe winter weather or in areas with high deer population density. In these situations, deer may overcome their natural aversion and browse on young chive shoots. Gardeners can strategically use chives through companion planting to protect more vulnerable crops, planting them along borders or interspersing them among favored plants. This helps mask the appealing odor of desirable plants, providing an environmentally sound layer of protection, though chives are not a substitute for robust fencing.