The ability to control the behavior of cells interacting with materials is desirable for the success of implanted devices such as biosensors or drug delivery devices. In this study, we investigated the use of ZnO nanorods for modulating the adhesion and viability of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, umbilical vein endothelial cells and capillary endothelial cells. Cells adhered far less to ZnO nanorods than the ZnO flat substrate. The few cells that adhered on the nanorods were not viable and rounded. Cells were unable to assemble focal adhesions and stress fibers on nanorods. Time-lapse imaging revealed that cells that initially adhered to nanorods were unable to spread. This suggests that it is the lack of initial spreading, rather than the long-term exposure to ZnO that causes cell death. We conclude that ZnO nanorods are potentially useful as an adhesion-resistant biomaterial capable of reducing viability in anchorage-dependent cells.