What Plants Do Rabbits Not Eat – 35+ Proven Varieties For A Thriving

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the pride of stepping out to admire your garden, only to feel your heart sink. The tender new leaves of your hostas are gone. Your freshly bloomed tulips have been decapitated. You, my friend, have a rabbit problem.

It’s a frustration every gardener knows well. You pour your time, energy, and love into your plants, and a furry little visitor turns it into an all-you-can-eat buffet overnight. It can feel like a losing battle.

But I promise you, it doesn’t have to be. The secret isn’t about chasing rabbits away (a truly exhausting task!), but about creating a garden that simply isn’t on their menu. This comprehensive what plants do rabbits not eat guide is your new best friend. We’ll explore dozens of beautiful, resilient plants that rabbits typically ignore, dive into the science behind their picky palates, and share expert tips to protect your precious garden for good.

Why Rabbits Avoid Certain Plants: A Gardener’s Secret Weapon

Before we jump into our list of rabbit-resistant champions, it helps to understand why they skip over certain plants. It’s not random! Rabbits, like most herbivores, have developed preferences based on survival. By understanding their logic, you can make smarter planting choices.

Their decisions usually come down to three key factors:

  1. Strong Scents: Rabbits have a sensitive sense of smell. Plants with highly aromatic foliage, like many herbs (think lavender, rosemary, and sage), are often overwhelming and unpleasant for them. They essentially create a “no-go zone” with their powerful fragrance.
  2. Unpleasant Textures: Imagine trying to eat something fuzzy, spiky, or leathery. Not very appealing, right? Rabbits feel the same way. Plants with fuzzy leaves like Lamb’s Ear, prickly stems like Barberry, or tough, waxy leaves are difficult and uncomfortable for them to chew.
  3. Natural Toxins: Many common garden plants contain compounds that are mildly toxic or will upset a rabbit’s digestive system. They learn to avoid these plants instinctively. This includes classics like Daffodils, Foxglove, and Peonies. This is one of the most effective benefits of what plants do rabbits not eat—nature does the work for you!

Your Complete Guide: What Plants Do Rabbits Not Eat

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! Here is a curated list of plants that have proven to be reliable performers in gardens frequented by rabbits. Remember, while no plant is 100% rabbit-proof (a starving rabbit in winter might try anything!), these are your strongest bets for a beautiful, nibble-free landscape. This is the core of our what plants do rabbits not eat care guide.

Tough & Beautiful: Rabbit-Resistant Perennials

Perennials are the backbone of a garden, returning year after year. Choosing the right ones means less work and more lasting beauty.

  • Foxglove (Digitalis): These tall, elegant spires of bell-shaped flowers are stunning in the back of a border. They are also toxic, so rabbits leave them strictly alone.
  • Peony (Paeonia): A classic for a reason! Peonies produce huge, fragrant blooms, and their foliage is unpalatable to rabbits. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners!
  • Coneflower (Echinacea): With their sturdy, somewhat prickly stems and daisy-like flowers, coneflowers are a favorite for pollinators but not for rabbits.
  • Salvia (Salvia nemorosa): The fragrant leaves and vibrant flower spikes make salvia a garden workhorse. Rabbits are put off by its strong, minty scent.
  • Catmint (Nepeta): This is a fantastic, low-maintenance plant with soft, silvery foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Its strong aroma is a powerful deterrent.
  • Yarrow (Achillea): With feathery, aromatic leaves and flat-topped flower clusters, yarrow is both drought-tolerant and rabbit-resistant.
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Its silvery, fragrant stems and hazy purple flowers are gorgeous, and rabbits want nothing to do with its intense scent.
  • Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): These shade-loving plants with delicate, heart-shaped flowers contain compounds that make them distasteful to most animals.
  • Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina): The name says it all! The soft, woolly, silver leaves are a texture that rabbits simply do not enjoy eating.
  • Astilbe (Astilbe): Known for their feathery plumes in shade gardens, the fern-like foliage of Astilbe is reliably ignored by rabbits.
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Vibrant Color: Rabbit-Resistant Annuals

Annuals provide that season-long punch of color. Luckily, many of the most cheerful and easy-to-grow options are also unappetizing to rabbits.

  • Marigold (Tagetes): The classic pest-deterrent! Marigolds have a pungent scent that rabbits (and many insect pests) find offensive.
  • Zinnia (Zinnia elegans): Zinnias have somewhat rough, hairy leaves and stems that rabbits tend to pass over in favor of more tender treats.
  • Snapdragon (Antirrhinum): These cool-season favorites have a bitter taste that makes them a poor choice for a rabbit’s meal.
  • Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum): Also known as “floss flower,” its fuzzy texture and slightly unpleasant smell keep bunnies at bay.
  • Vinca (Catharanthus roseus): This heat-loving annual has glossy, leathery leaves that are not appealing to rabbits. It offers a great, low-maintenance pop of color.

Aromatic & Edible: Herbs and Vegetables Rabbits Dislike

Many herbs are fantastic for companion planting near more vulnerable plants. Their strong smells can help mask the scent of tasty greens.

  • Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, and Lavender: All of these Mediterranean herbs are packed with aromatic oils that rabbits despise.
  • Mint (Mentha): While aggressive in the garden (plant it in a pot!), its strong scent is a great deterrent.
  • Onions, Garlic, and Chives: Anything in the allium family is a big “no” for rabbits due to their powerful, sulfurous compounds.
  • Rhubarb: The leaves are toxic (even to humans), so rabbits won’t touch the plant.
  • Asparagus: The ferny foliage is unpalatable, making it a safe bet for the veggie patch.

Garden Structure: Rabbit-Resistant Shrubs & Groundcovers

Use these to build the foundational “bones” of your garden, creating a landscape that is inherently uninviting for browsing.

  • Boxwood (Buxus): A landscape staple for a reason. Boxwoods have a distinct scent and bitter taste that rabbits avoid.
  • Juniper (Juniperus): The sharp, prickly needles of most juniper varieties are an excellent physical deterrent.
  • Barberry (Berberis): With tiny thorns all along its branches, barberry is a shrub rabbits learn to avoid the hard way.
  • Forsythia (Forsythia): These cheerful harbingers of spring are thankfully not on the rabbit’s menu.
  • Spirea (Spiraea): A versatile and tough shrub whose foliage is generally ignored by browsing bunnies.
  • Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis): This shade-loving groundcover has leathery leaves, making it a reliable choice for planting under trees.

Beyond the Plants: Best Practices for a Rabbit-Proof Garden

A smart planting strategy is your first and best line of defense. However, combining it with other tactics creates an even more robust shield for your garden. Following these what plants do rabbits not eat best practices will give you peace of mind.

Create a Less Inviting Habitat

Rabbits are prey animals, so they love areas with plenty of cover. You can make your yard less appealing by tidying up.

Remove low-hanging branches, dense brush piles, and unused woodpiles. Keep your lawn mowed and control tall, weedy areas, especially around the edges of your garden beds. This gives them fewer places to hide from predators, encouraging them to move elsewhere.

Fencing: The Only Truly Foolproof Method

If you have a vegetable patch or a particularly prized plant you need to protect, fencing is the ultimate solution. For rabbits, use a sturdy chicken wire or hardware cloth fence that is at least 2 feet high. Critically, you must also bury the bottom of the fence 6 inches deep to prevent them from digging underneath.

Consider Natural Repellents

You can supplement your rabbit-resistant plants with repellents. Commercial repellents often use scents like predator urine or rotten eggs, which signal danger. You can also make your own by mixing water with cayenne pepper and a drop of dish soap. Just remember to reapply after it rains!

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Common Problems with Rabbit-Resistant Gardening (And How to Solve Them)

One of the most common problems with what plants do rabbits not eat is when a gardener exclaims, “But a rabbit ate my ‘rabbit-proof’ yarrow!” It happens, and it’s frustrating, but there’s usually a logical reason.

A very hungry rabbit, especially in late winter or during a drought when food is scarce, will eat things it normally wouldn’t. Furthermore, new, tender growth on any plant—even a “resistant” one—is more palatable than mature, tough foliage. Young plants haven’t had time to develop the strong scents or tough textures that deter them.

The Pro Tip: When you first install new plants, even from this list, give them some temporary protection. A small ring of chicken wire or a plastic cloche for the first few weeks can make all the difference, allowing them to establish and mature before being exposed.

The Sustainable Benefits of a Rabbit-Resistant Garden

Choosing plants that naturally coexist with your local wildlife is a cornerstone of sustainable what plants do rabbits not eat strategies. By designing a garden that doesn’t appeal to rabbits, you reduce the need for chemical repellents that can harm other beneficial insects or pets.

This eco-friendly what plants do rabbits not eat approach also saves resources. You’ll spend less time, money, and water replacing damaged plants, leading to a garden that is not only more beautiful but also more in harmony with the environment around it.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Plants Do Rabbits Not Eat

Are there any truly 100% rabbit-proof plants?

Unfortunately, no. As mentioned, a desperate and starving rabbit may try to eat almost anything. However, plants like Daffodils, Foxglove, and Boxwood are about as close as you can get to “rabbit-proof” because they are either toxic or extremely foul-tasting.

Will rabbits eat plants in containers or raised beds?

Yes, absolutely! Rabbits are excellent jumpers and can easily access most raised beds and many containers. If your containers are on a high deck or balcony, they might be safe, but on a patio or ground level, they are fair game. The same planting rules apply—choose plants they dislike.

Do coffee grounds or eggshells deter rabbits?

These are common home remedies, but there is little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. While they won’t harm your garden, they are not reliable deterrents. The strong scent of coffee may have a very temporary effect, but it washes away quickly.

What are the first signs of rabbit damage in a garden?

Rabbit damage is distinct. Look for clean, 45-degree angle cuts on stems, as if they were snipped with tiny, sharp scissors. Deer, by contrast, have no upper incisors and leave a ragged, torn look. You may also find small, pea-sized droppings scattered around the area.

Your Beautiful, Nibble-Free Garden Awaits

Gardening alongside wildlife doesn’t have to be a constant battle. By being a savvy strategist—choosing plants with the right scents, textures, and natural defenses—you can create a stunning landscape that thrives.

Use this guide as your starting point. Mix and match these resilient perennials, annuals, and shrubs to build a garden full of color and life that you can enjoy without worry. Embrace the power of smart planting, and watch your garden flourish.

Happy gardening, and may your blooms be beautiful and bunny-free!

Rimon Chowdhury
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