Do Gophers Eat Lavender

Gophers do eat lavender, but it’s rarely their first choice when other food sources are available.
 
If you’ve noticed your lavender plants looking chewed, nibbled, or even pulled down into the soil, a gopher might be the culprit.
 
While lavender’s strong scent and fuzzy leaves often deter deer and rabbits, gophers are a different story because they’re underground diggers that encounter roots directly.
 
In this post, we’ll explore whether gophers truly eat lavender, why they might target it, and how you can protect your plants from these persistent pests.
 
Let’s dig into the truth about gophers and lavender so you can keep your garden thriving.
 

Understanding Why Gophers Eat Lavender Roots

So, do gophers eat lavender?
 
Yes, gophers will eat lavender, especially the roots and underground stems, when they tunnel through your garden.
 
Gophers are herbivores that feed primarily on roots, tubers, and bulbs, and lavender’s root system is not immune to their appetite.
 
However, it’s important to know that gophers don’t always eat lavender eagerly, as they seem to prefer tender, moisture-rich roots like those of vegetables or alfalfa.
 
Lavender is a woody perennial with aromatic oils, and those oils can make it less palatable compared to other garden plants.
 
But when gopher populations are high or food is scarce, they will absolutely eat lavender roots to survive.
 

1. The Root System Is the Main Target

When gophers eat lavender, they are almost always after the roots rather than the above-ground foliage.
 
These rodents spend most of their lives underground, so they encounter your lavender from beneath the soil.
 
A gopher will chew through the taproot and lateral roots, which can cause the plant to wilt, yellow, and eventually die.
 
If you pull up a wilted lavender plant and see that the roots are cleanly severed, that’s a classic sign of gopher damage.
 
Unlike voles that eat bark at the base, gophers eat lavender from the root zone downward in an underground feeding frenzy.
 

2. Lavender’s Aroma Doesn’t Always Repel Gophers

Many gardeners assume that because lavender smells strong to us, it must repel digging pests, but that’s not always true for gophers.
 
The essential oils in lavender, like linalool and camphor, are indeed pungent, but gophers have a less sensitive sense of smell than surface-dwelling pests.
 
While the scent may cause a gopher to pause briefly, hunger usually overrides any hesitation, and they will eat lavender anyway.
 
So even though gophers eat lavender less frequently than they eat other plants, the aroma is not a guaranteed deterrent.
 
It’s more accurate to say that lavender is a secondary food source, not a preferred one, for these underground foragers.
 

3. Gopher Mounds Signal Active Feeding on Roots

If you see fresh gopher mounds near your lavender, it’s a strong clue that gophers are feeding on the roots below.
 
Gophers push soil to the surface as they dig, creating those distinctive fan-shaped mounds that often contain plant debris.
 
When gophers eat lavender roots, they may pull entire small plants down into their tunnels.
 
You might notice lavender plants vanishing overnight, leaving behind a mound of loose dirt where the plant used to be.
 
That’s the clearest evidence that gophers eat lavender in your specific garden conditions.
 

Signs That Gophers Are Eating Your Lavender

How can you tell if gophers are eating your lavender and not another pest?
 
Look for these telltale signs so you can take action quickly before your plants are completely destroyed.
 

1. Wilted or Yellowing Plants with Severed Roots

If lavender looks thirsty even after watering, gophers may have eaten the roots underground.
 
Gently tug on the plant, if it comes up easily with no roots attached, gophers are likely the cause.
 
Severed roots are a major indicator because gophers gnaw through them cleanly with their sharp incisors.
 
Healthy lavender roots should be firm and extensive, but gopher damage leaves behind a stubby, jagged mess.
 

2. Fresh Mounds Near the Base of the Plant

Gophers create new mounds every day as they expand their tunnel systems in search of food.
 
If you see crescent-shaped mounds within a few feet of your lavender, those gophers are probably eating lavender roots.
 
Check to see if the mounds are plugged, because gophers seal their tunnel entrances from the surface.
 
Active mounds will feel soft and freshly dug, while older mounds will harden and show grass growing through them.
 

3. Missing Plants Entirely

When gophers eat lavender that’s young and small, they may consume the entire root system and pull the plant down.
 
In severe infestations, gophers can clear out a row of lavender in just a few nights.
 
If plants disappear without a trace other than a mound, gophers are eating lavender in your garden.
 

How to Stop Gophers From Eating Lavender

So, do gophers eat lavender?
 
Yes, but you can protect your plants with a few simple strategies that make it harder for gophers to reach the roots.
 
Here are the most effective ways to stop gophers from eating lavender in your garden.
 

1. Plant Lavender in Wire Baskets

The best way to prevent gophers from eating lavender roots is to install a physical barrier at planting time.
 
Use a wire mesh basket made of ¼-inch galvanized hardware cloth to line the planting hole.
 
Place the lavender inside the basket, and the gophers won’t be able to bite through the metal.
 
This method is highly effective because gophers eat lavender only when they can access the roots, and the wire stops them cold.
 

2. Try Natural Repellents and Trapping

While no repellent is 100% effective, castor oil-based products can make the soil taste unpleasant to gophers.
 
Apply these repellents around the base of your lavender and reapply after rain or heavy watering.
 
Trapping is another reliable option because gophers eat lavender and get caught when they return to the same tunnels.
 
Set gopher traps in active tunnels, and you’ll reduce the population that’s damaging your plants.
 

3. Encourage Natural Predators

Owls, hawks, and snakes are natural gopher predators that can help keep the population in check.
 
Install an owl box near your garden to invite these raptors to hunt in your yard.
 
When predators are around, gophers are less likely to eat lavender because they spend more time hiding underground.
 
This is a long-term solution that works alongside other methods to protect your lavender.
 

So, Do Gophers Eat Lavender?

Gophers do eat lavender, but it’s usually not their favorite meal.
 
They will eat lavender roots and stems when they need food, especially during dry seasons or when tastier plants are not available.
 
The strong aroma and woody texture make lavender less appealing, but gophers are adaptable feeders that won’t pass it up.
 
If you want to enjoy beautiful lavender in your landscape, take steps to block gophers from the root zone.
 
Use wire baskets, set traps, and encourage predators so gophers won’t eat lavender in your garden again.
 
By staying observant and acting quickly, you can keep your lavender healthy and gopher-free.
 
So, do gophers eat lavender?
 
Yes, they absolutely can, but with the right precautions, you can stop them in their tracks.