Plants Rabbits Won’t Eat
As a general rule, plants rabbits don’t like include those that have strong scents, spines, prickles, or leathery leaves. Rabbits also tend to avoid plants that exude a milky sap. An innate sense of danger often– but not always– steers animals away from plants that are toxic. Often, native plants are relatively rabbit resistant more so than non-native (exotic) plants. These may include:
Yarrow Lupine Lungwort Manzanita Bee balm
Young, tender plants and newly transplanted plants are especially susceptible and mature, larger plants are better able to withstand nibbling bunnies.
Rabbit Resistant Plants
These plants are generally considered to be rabbit resistant.
Trees and Shrubs
When it comes to trees, rabbits tend to steer clear of:
Fir Japanese maple Redbud Hawthorn Pine Spruce Oak Douglas fir
Rabbits generally don’t like the prickliness or the flavor and aroma of shrubs such as:
Holly Juniper Oregon grape Currant or gooseberry Turpentine bush Lavender Rosemary Jojoba
Groundcovers, Vines, and Grasses
Ajuga is a groundcover with a strong aroma and texture that usually deters rabbits. Other groundcovers and vines rabbits don’t like include:
English ivy Spurge Virginia creeper Periwinkle Pachysandra
Ornamental grasses that are usually safe from hungry bunnies include:
Blue fescue Feather grass Blue avena oat grass
Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs
Thick-leaved, prickly, or smelly perennials that often discourage rabbits include:
Agave Euphorbia Red hot poker Black-eyed Susan Pincushion flower Oriental poppy Strawflower Cranesbill Lamb’s ear
Most herbs have a pungent aroma that deters rabbits. A few examples of rabbit-resistant herbs are:
Catnip Catmint Lemon balm Mint Chives Sage Thyme Oregano
Bulbs that tend to be relatively rabbit-resistant include:
Daffodil Crocus Iris Dahlia
