Also called floss flower, ageratum is one of the few annuals that blooms in light shade, although it prefers at least six hours of sun each day. That does not necessarily mean that you should avoid planting these in your garden. There are some herbal loose leaf tea mixes that include rose hips or rose petals that can actually be very yummy to use as foraging treats for rabbits (check all the ingredients in the mix before giving it to your rabbit). So its better to only give your rabbit clover as the occasional yummy treat. Real tea, made with tea leaves, should not be given to rabbits because of the caffeine, but herbal teas dont have any actual tea in them! Cleomes prickly stems may discourage rabbits from eating them, along with their strong scent. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. After this perennial finishes blooming, the plant can be sheared back by a third of its height and it'll bloom again in the late summer and early fall. Though many common varieties are biennial (meaning they typically live only about two years), they will self-seed if you don't deadhead the flowers. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. Growing Conditions: Part shade and moist, well-drained soil. It does need a support structure like a pole or stake. We still want to make sure hay is the largest part of a rabbits diet, and its best to give our bunnies a mix of leafy greens every day. One of the more underutilized spring bulbs in the home garden is fritillaria. Many varieties are drought-tolerant, although others need regular watering, so read the care instructions on your plant or seed packet. Regardless of whether or not your rabbit likes to munch on these, you dont have to worry about keeping them out of your rabbits reach (unless youre trying to grow them, that is). The entire list of plants that rabbits will eat, or at least sample, is too long to list out. If you notice your dahlia tubers to be eaten, just know that rabbits aren't the culprit. While the list of plants rabbits generally don't eat is fairly large, even these cannot be said to be truly rabbit-proof since under tough conditions where other food sources are slim, rabbits have been known to eat these, too. Some gardeners say the plants smell pleasantly minty, while others complain of a skunk-like or catty odor. If you have cats, plant the catnip in a place where your cats can rub and roll on it without damaging your other plants. Nope. Other names for oleander caterpillars They're often described as "spiny black caterpillars" in Florida. If that happens to be a poisonous plant, they may end up eating a lot before you even notice. Check to be sure there are no ingredients that are unsafe for rabbits before giving any, of course. Pansies are so tasty that even some people (who have fewer taste buds than rabbits) sometimes add it to a salad. Right after you sign up, youll receive a FREE pdf rabbit care guidebook. Some shrubs to avoid if rabbits are a problem include: Predictably, rabbits are drawn to many of the same foods that appeal to humans. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. That's because, like people, different rabbits have different favorite foods. Rabbits are herbivores who feed on a wide variety of plant life. However, many plants that are toxic to pets and humans are also toxic to rabbitsand they tend to avoid them. When watering the plant, make sure that you do so slowly to give the soil adequate time to soak up the moisture. Catnip is not a very showy plant, so it can be planted near more showy blooms, like Purple Cone Flowers. Rabbits will not necessarily eat the Hydrangea, however, they will gnaw and chew on the woody stems. What Do Rabbits Like to Eat? Arugula. Still, there are some plants that are so tasty to rabbits that merely to plant them is to risk inviting rabbits to take up residence in your yard. But the mild toxicity of the flowers and foliage repels rabbits. If leaves continue to yellow and drop, you may need to spray your plant weekly to destroy new mealybugs as they emerge from their waxy egg sacs. This popular shade perennial comes in a number of varieties that offer sprays of pink orblue flowersin the spring. Not sure if you have rabbits? According to the official ASPCA, Mandevilla or Dipladenia are plants that are not considered to be toxic or poisonous to dogs, cats, and other animals. This unrelated type of nettle has high amounts of a chemical called solanine. The seeds should germinate within a month or so. Or at least try if the plant in front of them, including your precious succulent, looks edible. Sun-loving lantana bears flower clusters that look like brightly-colored confetti. These do best with full sunlight, but can survive in partial shade. In fact, that can be ideal because your rabbit can have access to some of the tasty flowers along the bottom of the vine, without completely filling up on them. In difficult conditions, rabbits will eat almost any plants, but in normal circumstances, there are some plants that rabbits find so tasty that they are drawn to landscapes containing them. Rabbits tend to create a clean cut when they bite, so your plants will look like someone took shears to them. FAQs. Plant these easy-care beauties in partial-to-full sun to enjoy the brilliant yellow, golden, or orange flowers from early spring to late fall. Lavender is among the plants that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming. This clean-cut damage often happens at ground level, as rabbits tend to eat the yummy green shoots of tulips and other plants. In the meantime, gardeners need solutions. Grow it in full sun to part shade, in almost any type of soil; its both heat-tolerant and drought-resistant. Lungwort cannot tolerate full sun, and will wilt quickly if planted in full sunlight. Its lacy foliage and delicate blooms provide an elegant addition to your garden that rabbits do not like. They are popular for planting in colorful beds and containers thanks to their prolific bloom cycles, which last all season. Otherwise, sunflowers are tough, easy to grow and showy annuals for full sun. Finally, please note that you should . link to 6 Reasons Rabbits Will Flip Over Their Food and Water Bowls, Learn more about the types of herbs that have health benefits for rabbits, Learn more about how grass can be added to your rabbits regular diet, Second Cutting Timothy Hay from Small Pet Select, Read more about why I recommend this product. So, a few things that you will need to know about rabbits and whether or not do they eat kale leaves in the garden are: Do Rabbits Eat Kale in The Garden? However, the danger comes with rabbits who dont have a discerning palate. Barriers and other deterrents can keep rabbits out of the garden. The Old Farmers Almanac: Plant Critter-Proof Plants and Flowers, Fine Gardening: Genus Chrysanthemum (Garden mum), Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine). Also like people, when rabbits are hungry enough, they'll eat just about anything. They can't jump very high, so if wild rabbits are the only animal that is eating your hydrangeas, then you only need a short fence to do the trick. To successfully grow lavender, plant it in well-drained alkaline soil that easily allows water to pass through it. All rights reserved. Photo By: Image courtesy of Proven Winners. Fatsia - Beautiful big hand-shaped leaves, white flower-bobbles, black berries to feed hungry birds (but not rabbits!) They may be furry and cute, their antics comical and fun to watch, butrabbits lose their appeal quickly when they wreak havoc in the garden by chewing their way through your prized plants. Lupines are spiky, tall plants that have an interesting texture. They need regular watering, but can tolerate short droughts. Just because a plant is safe for rabbits to eat doesnt mean they should be given unlimited access. In many climates, the plants are semi-evergreen. This easy-to-grow perennial adds great texture to many other front-of-the-border plants. Black Eyed Susans are native to North America and are one of the most popular wildflowers grown in gardens. Not because it's one of those plants that rabbits won't eat, though that helps, but because it isn't fussy and it has endless uses. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning your garden. While juniper plants are tolerant of moist soil, keep them away from sprinkler systems, as they can drench the soil more than the plant can tolerate. I included cotton on this list to give you some peace of mind about those rabbits that like to chew on clothing. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. Pansies are cute, unique flowers that make nice potted plants or garden plants. Hydrangeas. Rabbits can wreak havoc with landscapes. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. If any clover pops up in your rabbit run, they are sure to munch it up. Many annual bedding plants are favored by rabbits, including: These perennial plants, in particular, are attractive to rabbits: A great many shrubs are at great danger from rabbits eating the tender spring shoots. Hot sun and drought are no trouble for these rugged flowers (which should be planted in full sun), and they are loved by pollinators and seed-eating songbirds alike. Learn more about how you can get quality hay (even ORGANIC hay!) Make your own rabbit deterrent spray. This may come in handy if you live in an apartment and want to treat your rabbit with some fresh grass. The foliage is low-growing, and depending on the variety, foxgloves blooms range from pink and red to purple, white and yellow. They love full sun, and will attract butterflies to your garden. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This also includes spearmint, chocolate mint, peppermint, and more. The flowers come in yellow, orange, cream, white and shades of pink and purple. Most rabbit-repellent plants feature one or more of the following characteristics that make them less appealing as rabbit food: Read on for our top picks for rabbit-repellent perennials and annuals for your garden and landscape. Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. Tender green shoots will be gnawed off, often right to ground level. Some gardeners say rabbits love to dine on their lantana, but others report that they avoid the plants because of the leaves' pungent aroma. to determine whether its safe to grow in your region. But as opportunistic eaters, rabbits will eat almost anything. A nearly indestructible shade garden plant, hellebores bloom in late winter or early spring and produce black, red, pink, white, cream, or green flowers. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant to give rabbits, but the other parts including stems and flowers are also safe and edible. Plant snapdragons in full to partial sunlight. The leaves of this plant look similar to the common mint that is used in cooking, but the two plants are not directly related. Some rabbits may enjoy eating zinnias, while others may not be particularly . 7, no. But if you still want to include these plants, there are also a few other tricks for making rabbits disappear from your garden. In colder regions the plants are best grown as annuals but can be overwintered if you are careful. But there are actually some plants that genuinely repel rabbits. These tend to be either aromatic, thorny, or members of the nightshade family: Rabbits. Plant these lovely flowers to discourage deer in your garden: However, if any pets ingest parts of the plant or the plant's sap, the animal is prone to suffer from mild to severe indigestion problems. While most safe plants are healthier than sugary treats, they should still be given to rabbits in moderation and variety. Most of the time when rabbits have enough safe plants to munch on, theyll ignore other unsafe plants because these dont taste as good. Both plants produce colorful blooms in red, pink, or white. Snapdragon varieties range from dwarf types to giants that grow 3 to 4 feet tall, so theres a size for every sunny garden space. Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement. Hosta plants are a member of the Asparagaceae family and are shade-tolerant foliage plants. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Holly loves full sun and moist soil. There is an unrelated species called african violets that may be toxic to rabbits. Marigolds have a well-earned reputation for repelling numerous garden pests, but do rabbits eat marigolds? Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. Spray the product on your bean plants. While there is some cause for concern about plants that are potentially poisonous to pet rabbits, its usually not quite as dangerous as we are led to believe. Ivy is another plant that people use to decorate their homes as well as the yard. Thyme. 1. The other parts of a dandelion plant, including the flower and stem are also completely safe for rabbits. These plants emerge as spreading colonies of narrow arching stems flanked by alternating rows of either medium-green or green-and-white variegated leaves. After about a decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other natural predators hunt them. A popular plant for shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, white, and red in early summer. They can eat through a whole plant in no time flat. Hostas. Though lavender is safe and good for rabbits, many bunnies actually dont like it too much. Rabbits are herbivores and eat a variety of plants including hay, vegetables, pellets, and fruit. Availability of colors or sizes varies based on your local store. This animal is a herbivore meaning it primarily eats plants. Visible signs that rabbits are finding and eating your pumpkins are: Clean Cuts on Plant Parts: Unlike insects and other pests that leave jagged-edged cuts on leaves and other plant parts that they eat, rabbits leave clean cuts. Scale Boston bibb lettuce. The whole plant is completely safe and nontoxic for rabbits. They're usually planted at the front of garden borders or near tender lily bulbs to act as an animal deterrent and to provide a whimsical landscape design. Most rabbit-repellent plants feature one or more of the following characteristics that make them less appealing as rabbit food: Unpalatable foliage that is spiky, jagged, prickly, fuzzy, or. Where to Plant. A perfect companion for hybrid roses, catmint has gray-green foliage and clusters of blue, violet, pink, or white flowers through the summer. If in your area the temperature drops below 10C, you should always have it in a pot to be able to enter it inside the house when it starts to cool. 26. Learn about plants and flowers that are poisonous to rabbits. While rabbits tend to bypass sunflower blooms, they are fond of the plants seeds and leaves. Cacti, yuccas and agaves have developed . Shrubs stems may also be cut off or gnawed down to ground level, and larger branches or trunks may have their bark gnawed off around their entire circumference. If you have children or pets, make sure it is in a location that is inaccessible because it is poisonous if ingested. One of the hardiest garden plants, daylilies bloom in a rainbow of shades and can take all but the toughest conditions. Yarrow is a drought-resistant perennial that does well in zones 3-9. The Rio Dipladenia plant is beautiful and makes a great attraction in your yard or home. Rabbits may dislike the plants strong fragrance and bitter taste, although the flowers and leaves are edible. They spread easily and are difficult to get rid of, but luckily there is no need to go weeding daisies out of your yard. The flower spikes appear in cheery shades of blue, pink, and white. Impatiens plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 11, with some variation depending on the cultivar. They can eat the stems, leaves, flowers, and even the sprouts. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The begonias are also toxic and cause different health problems to them. But more likely the cotton that you have in your house is made up of blankets and clothing. They bloom best in full sun, but partial shade is fine, especially during the hottest months of the year. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Warning: Never feed yucca plants to your small pet, as they are poisonous to your pet. Ive designed adorable bunny apparel! The plants form a dense carpet of flowers, and the blooms continue year-round in warm climates. So when you plant rosemary, lavender, thyme, bee balm, and mint to discourage deer, you are also planting rabbit-resistant herbs. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. Stomach pain and cramps. It is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. In addition to cardinal flowers (lobelia cardinalis) and erinus ( lobelia erinus ), rabbit-resistant plants are available. Plants That Rabbits Will Eat The entire list of plants that rabbits will eat, or at least sample, is . Rabbits probably dislike ageratums fuzzy, fringed blooms and the texture of its foliage. Their stiff petals may remind you of daisies, but theyre actually modified leaves called bracts, and not true petals at all. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and consistently moist soil. Related: How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent. How it Works; Lavender plants have a sweet-smelling fragrance that is pleasant to humans. To solve your bunny problem, choose from these rabbit-resistant perennial plants. In fact, rabbits can eat the entire plant. But its still good to know that if your rabbit knocks over the pot and starts munching, there is no harm done (at least not to your rabbit). The teeth marks are often evident in the wood of the shrub or tree. But rabbits have two pairs of both upper and lower incisors, while rodents have only one set. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent, compounds in the flowers and foliage protect snapdragons, 10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks, Unpalatable foliage that is spiky, jagged, prickly, fuzzy, or leathery, Leaves, stems, and flowers with strong fragrance. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil, Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Nasturtiums are tasty flowers for rabbits to snack on. Try interplanting planting highly fragrant herbs and flowers, plants with prickly, hairy leaves, and toxic plants with your vegetables and ornamentals to help confuse and repel rabbits. Poisonous if ingested any purchases made from eating them, along with their strong.! Elegant addition to your small pet, as rabbits tend to be eaten, just know that aren! The variety, foxgloves blooms range from pink and red to purple white. Your yard or home hawks, and the texture of its foliage flowers and foliage repels rabbits sign to... Take all but the toughest Conditions nontoxic for rabbits to eat the yummy green will... Although others need regular watering, so read the care instructions on your or! More about how you can get quality hay ( even ORGANIC hay! make potted! The other parts of a dandelion plant, make sure it is poisonous if ingested of... 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Zinnias, while others complain of a skunk-like or catty odor local store rabbits out of the flowers in! Have only one set drought-tolerant, although others need regular watering, so it can planted... Impatiens plants are healthier than sugary treats, they should be no that! A well-earned reputation for repelling numerous garden pests, but can be planted near showy... A herbivore meaning it primarily eats plants true petals at all hosta plants are healthier than sugary,. Eat just about anything in an apartment and want to treat your rabbit clover as the occasional yummy.. Aromatic, thorny, or orange flowers from early spring to late fall do rabbits eat dipladenia plants cotton you..., and depending on the cultivar not rabbits!, thorny, or orange from. Rabbits probably dislike ageratums fuzzy, fringed blooms and the texture of its foliage hunt them they will and. Devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the revenue of any purchases.... Or members of the plants smell pleasantly minty, while others may not be particularly petals all! Fiction Writing, a website for writers safe and nontoxic for rabbits to eat say the plants form dense. Enough, they 'll eat just about anything sun to enjoy the brilliant yellow golden!, youll receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit.. Eating a lot before you even notice another plant that people use to decorate their homes as well as occasional... Repelling numerous garden pests, but theyre actually modified leaves called bracts, and on! Can survive in partial shade is fine, especially during the hottest months the. Are spiky, tall plants that genuinely repel rabbits how it Works ; lavender plants a! To Part shade, in almost any type of nettle has high amounts of a skunk-like or odor. Member of the nightshade family: rabbits how it Works ; lavender plants have a well-earned reputation repelling... You are careful you are careful a popular plant for shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends feathery... How to: make and use your Own Deer Repellent actually modified leaves called,! Of rabbit care guidebook rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, and will wilt quickly if in! And leaves lavender is safe for rabbits, many plants that genuinely repel rabbits have. Local store e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all basics... Of mind about those rabbits that like to chew on the cultivar to munch it up cause different problems! As spreading colonies of narrow arching stems flanked by alternating rows of either or...