Sweet potato vines, whether grown for their edible tubers or as ornamental trailing plants, are often browsed by deer. Despite sometimes being listed as deer-resistant, the foliage is palatable, particularly when preferred natural food sources become limited. The clear answer is that deer will eat these vines, and they can strip them bare, especially the tender new growth.
The Deer’s Diet and Sweet Potato Vine
Deer are opportunistic herbivores that consume a wide variety of plants to meet their caloric needs. Sweet potato vine leaves, especially the soft, high-moisture new shoots, are a readily available food source. While they may not be a first-choice delicacy, they are generally considered a moderately preferred food item. Consumption rates increase significantly under environmental pressure, such as during periods of drought or late in the growing season when other foliage is scarce. Deer typically target the soft, easily digestible leaves and vine tips, leaving behind the tougher, woody stems.
Identifying Deer Damage vs. Other Pests
Distinguishing deer damage from that caused by other common garden pests requires close observation of the bite marks and the height of the damage. Deer lack upper incisors, so they must tear or pull the plant material, leaving behind ragged, splintered, or irregularly broken stems and foliage. This browsing typically occurs at a height between two and six feet from the ground. In contrast, rabbits and groundhogs cause damage low to the ground; rabbits leave a clean, precise cut, while groundhogs consume entire plants and leave large, irregular bite marks. Further evidence of deer presence includes large, oblong pellet droppings and distinct cloven hoof prints in soft soil near the damaged area.
Effective Prevention Strategies
The most reliable strategy for protecting sweet potato vines involves creating physical barriers to exclude deer from the area. For maximum effectiveness, a physical fence should stand at least seven to eight feet tall, as white-tailed deer are capable of jumping considerable heights when motivated. For smaller garden enclosures, a shorter fence of five to six feet may offer protection, especially if the space is confined and landing is difficult for the deer. Alternatively, gardeners can use various deterrents to make the plants less appealing. Commercial repellents often contain putrefied egg solids or capsaicin and work by creating an offensive odor or taste. To prevent deer from becoming accustomed to the deterrent, it is necessary to rotate the type of product used every few weeks. Hanging strong-smelling items like bars of soap or applying homemade mixtures of eggs and water can also discourage browsing, but these need frequent reapplication, particularly after rainfall.