The sweet potato plant, Ipomoea batatas, is a popular and productive crop for home gardeners, offering both edible tubers and lush foliage. Unfortunately for gardeners, deer frequently browse on sweet potato plants, often causing significant damage to the developing crop. The high moisture content and soft texture of the leaves make them a tempting meal, especially during dry periods or when other food is scarce.
Which Parts of the Sweet Potato Plant Do Deer Consume?
Deer readily consume the leafy foliage, or vines, of the sweet potato plant, sometimes stripping the plants down to bare stems. The tender young leaves and vine tips are particularly appealing to them, likely due to their palatability and ease of digestion. This foraging behavior can severely impact the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and produce a harvestable tuber.
While deer prefer the accessible above-ground growth, they will also consume the underground tubers if they can access them. This usually occurs when the tubers are growing close to the soil surface or when the ground is soft enough for the deer to dig them up. In times of extreme food scarcity, deer become less selective and may actively seek out the starchy, nutrient-rich roots.
Effective Strategies for Deterring Deer
Protecting sweet potato plants from browsing deer requires a combination of physical barriers and repellent measures. The most reliable long-term solution is installing a physical barrier, such as a sturdy fence. Since deer are capable jumpers, a permanent fence should be at least eight feet tall to be completely effective, though a slanted fence can sometimes deter them at a shorter height.
For smaller gardens or temporary protection, a less imposing barrier like deer netting or temporary electric fencing can be utilized. Growing the plants in raised beds or containers on a deck can also make the plants less accessible, though this is not always practical for a large crop.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense by making the plants taste or smell unpleasant. Scent-based repellents, such as those containing putrescent egg solids, or taste-based options, like those with capsaicin (chili pepper extract), can discourage feeding. A key factor in the successful use of repellents is consistent reapplication, especially after rainfall or new plant growth. Rotating between different types of repellents, such as switching from a scent-based to a taste-based product, can also prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single deterrent over time.