Do Deer Eat Calendula?

Deer are known for their voracious appetites and can consume a wide range of plant material. However, they generally do not prefer to eat calendula. Calendula flowers, also known as pot marigolds, contain certain properties that are unattractive to deer, thus making them naturally deer-resistant. While it is not out of the question for a particularly hungry deer to nibble on some calendula in your garden, it is typically not the first choice of food for these creatures. Therefore, planting calendula in your yard may help protect more desirable plants from being devoured by local deer populations. But like any wildlife behavior, there are exceptions and some might find the colorful blooms irresistible despite its general reputation as being avoided by this herbivore species.