The Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) is a visually striking flowering plant recognized by its vibrant orange petals covered in dark spots. While not entirely deer-proof, it is frequently less appealing to deer than other garden varieties. A hungry deer may occasionally browse the foliage, but the Tiger Lily is generally considered “deer-resistant” rather than completely immune to damage.
Deer Palatability of Lilies
The relative resistance of the Tiger Lily stems from its intrinsic qualities, which contrast with the deer’s preference for highly succulent and easily digestible plants. Deer often seek out high-moisture vegetation, such as hostas or certain hybrid lilies, which offer quick nutritional value. Tiger Lilies, however, possess a tougher texture and contain chemicals that contribute to a less palatable flavor profile.
These compounds make the plant unappetizing to deer, acting as a natural protective mechanism against grazing. While the foliage may be somewhat toxic to small pets, this toxicity level is not usually severe enough to function as a universal deterrent for deer. The plant’s overall sensory experience—its texture and flavor—simply makes it a low-priority food source when more appealing options are abundant.
Factors Influencing Deer Foraging
Despite a plant’s inherent unappealing nature, external environmental factors can significantly override a deer’s normal food preferences. A primary influence is the local deer population density, where a greater number of animals competing for limited resources forces a broader diet. When a herd’s size approaches or exceeds the carrying capacity of the habitat, the deer are compelled to consume plants they would normally ignore, including Tiger Lilies.
Seasonal hunger also plays a large role in forcing deer to try less favored foods, especially during the late winter and early spring when new, tender shoots appear. Similarly, periods of drought can severely limit the availability and nutritional quality of preferred forage, causing deer to turn to any available green matter to meet their energetic needs. These situational pressures mean that even “deer-resistant” plants are at risk when the animals are under nutritional stress.
Protecting Your Tiger Lilies
Gardeners can employ a combination of strategies to minimize the risk of deer damage to Tiger Lilies. Physical barriers offer the most reliable protection, with fencing being the gold standard; a fence must be at least eight feet high to fully exclude a determined deer. For smaller areas, motion-activated sprinklers provide a temporary and startling deterrent by using a sudden burst of water and noise.
Chemical deterrents work by appealing to the deer’s sense of smell or taste, utilizing ingredients like putrescent egg solids, peppermint oil, or capsaicin. These sprays must be reapplied frequently, particularly after rain, and rotating between different scent- and taste-based products prevents deer from becoming accustomed to a single repellent. Another effective approach is companion planting, which involves placing Tiger Lilies near plants with strong, pungent odors that deer actively dislike, such as Alliums, lavender, or daffodils.