Is Privet deer resistant?
Ligustrum sp.
Plant typeShrubHardinessZones 5–8, genus rangeLightPart shade
MaintenanceHigh, wants regular attention
Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten
About Privet
Fast, cheap and takes any amount of clipping, which is why it is the default hedge in older gardens. It is also invasive across much of the eastern and southern United States, where birds spread the berries into woodland, and is banned in some states. Consider inkberry or a native viburnum instead.
Soil and care
- Soil pH
- 5.5 to 7.5
- Drainage
- Average garden soil
- Water
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 24 to 35 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- High
Similar to Privet
Other shrubs with the same deer rating.
- Antelope BitterbrushPurshia tridentataSeldom damaged
- Anthony Waterer SpireaSpiraea x bumaldaZones 3–8Seldom damaged
- Apache PlumeFallugia paradoxaZones 6–10Seldom damaged
- Armstrong JuniperJuniperus chinensis 'Armstrongii'Zones 4–9Seldom damaged
- Autumn OliveElaeagnus umbellataZones 4–9Seldom damaged
- Autumn SageSalvia greggiiZones 6–9Seldom damaged
Where Privet grows
Hardy across most of these 49 states on zone range alone. Mountain and coastal areas sit outside the ranges used here, so check your own zone before ordering.
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- New York
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Texas
- Colorado
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- South Dakota
- Montana
- Wyoming
- Idaho
- Utah
- Nevada
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Alaska
- District of Columbia
Browse from here
Every list Privet belongs to.
Hardy in these zones
Common questions about Privet
- Is Privet deer resistant?
- Privet (Ligustrum sp.) is rated Seldom Severely Damaged on the Rutgers NJAES four-tier scale. Light browsing at worst; rarely ruined.
- What hardiness zones does Privet grow in?
- Privet is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. Outside that range it will either not survive winter or will struggle with summer heat. That is the range across the genus, so a named species or cultivar may be narrower.
- Does Privet grow in shade?
- Yes. Privet tolerates part shade, which makes it one of the options for a shaded bed where deer also browse.
- Is Privet toxic to dogs or cats?
- Yes. The ASPCA lists Privet as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Site it away from where animals graze, or choose something else if you have a dog that chews.
- Is Privet invasive?
- Privet is listed as invasive or restricted in GA, AL, MS, TN, NC, SC, FL, VA, TX, AR, LA, KY. Deer leaving it alone is not a reason to plant it. Check your own state before buying.