Javelinas will eat almost any plant if they are hungry (or thirsty) enough. But many plants are considered “javelina resistant.”
Here are over 80 plants (listed by category) that are considered to largely be “javelina resistant.” This means javelinas generally leave them alone unless they’re desperate.
Additionally, you can find more tips and tricks for discouraging javelinas in our article How to Deter Javelinas in Your Garden.
Javelina Resistant Flowers
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Alyssum | Alyssum spp.* |
| Baby sun rose | Aptenia cordifolia |
| Bacopa | Bacopa monnieri |
| California poppy | Eschscholzia californica |
| Chrysanthemum | Chrysanthemum spp. |
| Cosmos | Cosmos spp. |
| Carnation | Dianthus spp. |
| Daffodil | Narcissus spp. |
| Dahlia | Dahlia spp. |
| Day lily | Hemerocallis spp. |
| Dyssodia | Dyssocia spp. |
| Easter lily | Lilium longiflorum |
| Euryops | Euryops spp. |
| Geranium | Geranium spp. |
| Gladiola | Gladiolus spp. |
| Globe amaranth | Gomphrena globosa |
| Ice plant | Mesembryanthemum spp. |
| Iris | Iris spp. |
| Lantana | Lantana spp. |
| Larkspur | Delphinium spp. |
| Marigold | Tagetes spp. |
| Mexican primrose | Oenothera speciosa |
| Pansies** | Viola spp. |
| Petunia** | Petunia spp. |
| Portulaca | Portulaca spp. |
| Red hot poker | Kniphofia uvaria |
| Snapdragon | Antirrhinum majus |
| Sweet william | Dianthus barbatus |
| Vinca | Vinca spp. |
| Zinnia | Zinnia spp. |
*Spp. is a botanical shorthand for “multiple species”.
**Petunias and pansies are often listed as javelina resistant; however, I’ve heard anecdotally that javelinas love them, so plant with caution.
Javelina Resistant
Herbs & Vegetables
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Basil | Ocimum spp. |
| Chili peppers | Capsicum spp. |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus |
| Eggplant | Solanum melogena |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. |
| Mint | Mentha spp. |
| Rosemary | Rosemarinus officinalis |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis |
| Santolina | Santolina spp. |
Javelina Resistant Succulents
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Aloe | Aloe spp. |
| Barrel cactus | Echinocactus spp. |
| Candelilla | Euphorbia antisyphilitica |
| Cholla cactus | Cylindropuntia spp. |
| Desert spoon | Dasylirion wheeleri |
| Firesticks | Euphorbia tirucalli |
| Gopher plant | Euphorbia rigida |
| Hens & chicks | Echeveria elegans |
| Lady slipper | Euphorbia lomelii |
| Moroccan mound | Euphorbia resinifera |
| Ocotillo | Fouquieria splendens |
| Yucca | Yucca spp. |
Javelina Resistant Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Artemisia | Artemisia spp. |
| Autumn sage | Salvia greggii |
| Blue plumbago | Plumbago auriculata |
| Butterfly bush | Buddleia spp. |
| Creosote | Larrea tridentata |
| Dalea | Dalea spp. |
| Deerbrush | Ceanothus spp. |
| Fairy duster | Calliandra spp. |
| Globe mallow | Sphaeralcea ambigua |
| Heavenly bamboo | Nandina domestica |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus spp. |
| Lilac | Syringa spp. |
| Manzanita | Arctostaphylus spp. |
| Oleander | Nerium oleander |
| Mexican bird of paradise | Caesalpinia mexicana |
| Photinia | Photinia spp. |
| Pyracantha | Pyracantha spp. |
| Red bird of paradise | Caesalpinia pulcherrima |
| Rose | Rosa spp. |
| Russian sage | Salvia yangii |
| Salvia | Salvia spp |
| Trailing indigo bush | Dalea greggii |
| Yellow bird of paradise | Caesalpinia gilliesii |
Javelinas generally don’t eat trees, but if you have planted new trees in your yard, they might try to eat or uproot them in a pinch.
Javelina Resistant Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Cottonwood | Populus spp. |
| Fir | Abies spp. |
| Juniper | Juniperus spp. |
| Maple | Acer spp. |
| Oak | Quercus spp. |
| Pine | Pinus spp. |
| Purple leaf plum | Prunus cerasifera |
| Spruce | Picea spp. |
Javelina Resistant Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Grape | Vitis spp. |
| Ivy | Hedera spp. |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera spp. |
| Sweet Pea | Lathyrus odoratus |
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