Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low-growing perennial groundcover valued for its dense, mat-forming habit. It is a popular choice due to its resilience and attractive appearance, featuring tiny leaves and a profusion of purple or reddish-pink flowers in summer. A significant concern when choosing landscape plants is the risk of damage from browsing deer. Homeowners frequently ask whether this aromatic herb can survive in a deer-heavy landscape.
Is Red Creeping Thyme Deer Resistant?
Red creeping thyme is highly regarded in the gardening community for its natural ability to deter deer. The answer to whether deer eat it is generally no, making it a reliable deer-resistant option. This resistance stems primarily from the plant’s biological defense mechanisms.
The foliage of creeping thyme contains strong aromatic oils, which are concentrated volatile organic compounds that give the plant its characteristic scent and flavor. These potent essential oils are unappealing to a deer’s sensitive sense of smell and taste, making the plant unpalatable when better food sources are available. Thyme’s pungent fragrance acts as an effective deterrent, as deer tend to avoid strong-smelling herbs in general.
The physical structure of the plant also contributes to its low palatability. Thymus serpyllum forms a dense, low mat of small leaves and thin, somewhat woody stems. Deer prefer softer, easily digestible foliage, making the tough texture of established thyme undesirable compared to many other garden plants. However, no plant is entirely “deer-proof,” and in conditions of extreme food scarcity, such as drought or deep winter snow, deer may browse even resistant plants.
What Influences Deer Feeding Habits
A deer’s diet is driven by biological requirements and environmental pressures. White-tailed deer are selective browsers requiring high-quality, easily digestible forage. They prefer plants high in protein and readily available, especially new growth in spring and summer.
Deer use their sense of smell to evaluate potential food sources. Strong-smelling plants are often rejected because they signal the presence of secondary plant compounds, such as essential oils, which can be bitter or indigestible. Texture is also a factor, as deer generally avoid plants with fuzzy, prickly, or tough foliage, which are harder to chew.
Environmental conditions significantly influence these choices. When preferred food sources are abundant, such as during the peak growing season, deer are highly selective. Conversely, when population density is high or during periods when natural forage is scarce, like winter, deer become less choosy and will resort to browsing plants they would normally ignore. This explains why a deer-resistant plant may occasionally be nibbled in times of desperation.
Alternative Deer-Resistant Groundcovers
Gardeners seeking reliable, low-maintenance alternatives to red creeping thyme can select other groundcovers that possess similar deterrent qualities. These options share characteristics like strong aroma or undesirable texture that deer actively avoid.
Examples of Deer-Resistant Groundcovers
- Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), which has a mildly fragrant leaf.
- Catmint (Nepeta racemosa), known for its mint-like aroma.
- Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), which offers prickly, needle-like foliage.
- Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), which forms a dense carpet of tough, thick leaves.
- Creeping sedum (stonecrop), whose fleshy leaves possess a bitter taste unappealing to browsing animals.
Choosing plants that exhibit one or more of these defensive traits provides the best chance of minimizing deer damage in the landscape.