Rabbits can swiftly transform a flourishing garden into their personal snack bar, nibbling away at your hard work. Luckily, there are certain plants that are naturally more deterring to these furry visitors. Although no plant is completely rabbit-proof, selecting varieties they tend to avoid will keep your garden as lush and colorful as possible with little intrusion.
Here’s a lineup of plants that rabbits typically avoid but will keep your garden looking fantastic.
Lavender
Thanks to its strong scent, Lavender is a superstar for keeping rabbits away. Rabbits generally avoid anything with a strong fragrance, and lavender’s purple blooms perfectly fit the view. Lavender thrives in full sun and dry soil, so it’s pretty low-maintenance too. Most varieties grow about 12-36 inches tall, so you get a nice splash of color and a natural rabbit repellent.
Catmint
Catmint is as lovely as it is practical. Its silvery-green leaves and soft lavender-blue flowers are beautiful and mostly ignored by rabbits. Catmint does well in sunny spots and doesn’t need much water, which makes it ideal for dry climates. It’s also a magnet for beneficial insects that act as pollinators, so you’re helping your garden’s ecosystem, too.
Yarrow
Yarrow’s feathery leaves and tiny clustered flowers bring a unique texture to any garden, and rabbits aren’t fans of their slightly bitter taste and strong aroma. Yarrow is incredibly hardy. It’s drought-tolerant and even does well in poor soil. Some varieties can reach up to 2-4 feet tall, and they come in colors like yellow, pink, and red. Plus, yarrow attracts pollinators, which is always a win for garden health.
Russian Sage
Russian sage is one of those plants that adds height and drama to your garden while keeping rabbits at a distance. With its tall, purple flowers and sharp, minty aroma, it’s just not appealing to them. Russian sage thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soil. It can even grow up to five feet tall, so it’s a perfect choice if you’re looking for something bold that’s still rabbit-resistant.
Bee Balm
Bee balm’s minty fragrance isn’t to rabbits’ taste, which makes it the perfect plant for your garden to repel rabbits. Its bright red, pink, or purple flowers look fantastic in any garden. Bee balm draws in pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an eco-friendly choice. It grows well in sunny, well-drained spots and can grow up to four feet tall.
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear brings soft, silvery foliage to your garden and is another plant that rabbits avoid. The fuzzy leaves aren’t something rabbits want to munch on, and it’s drought-tolerant too. Lamb’s ear works well in sunny areas and doesn’t need much water, making it low maintenance. It also deters deer, giving you double the protection. Plus, lamb’s ear only grows to about 12-18 inches, so it’s perfect for edging garden beds.
Daffodils
These cheerful yellow flowers are a great choice to keep rabbits at bay. Daffodils contain lycorine, a mildly toxic compound that rabbits, mice, and other mammals avoid. They’re hardy, too, and they do well in the sun or partial shade with well-drained soil. Most varieties grow up to 30 inches tall, adding height and color while naturally keeping rabbits away.
Snapdragon
Because of its bitter taste, Snapdragon is said to be one of those flowers that rabbits avoid eating. Its sturdy nature makes it easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. With its tall spikes of dragon-shaped blooms in reds, pinks, yellows, and pastels, Snapdragon adds vibrant color to any garden. Blooming through the season, snapdragons attract pollinators, adding both beauty and ecological benefits to your garden beds and borders.
Foxglove
Foxglove is an eye-catching plant that’s also toxic to rabbits, making it a great addition to your rabbit-resistant lineup. Its tall spires of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white add height and a pop of color. Foxglove thrives in partial shade with well-drained soil and can grow up to 150 inches tall, adding vertical interest to your garden. If you’re after something as effective as it is pretty, foxglove is your best bet.
Salvia
Salvia is another great option for rabbit-proofing your garden. This perennial has a slightly bitter taste and a strong scent, both of which keep rabbits at bay. Available in vibrant colors like purple, red, and pink, salvia blooms all summer long, giving your garden color and resilience. It’s drought-tolerant and does well in sunny spots, making it both practical and beautiful. Most varieties grow up to three feet, adding structure to your garden beds.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is a unique, rabbit-resistant choice with its delicate, heart-shaped flowers in pink or white. The slightly bitter taste makes rabbits lose interest, so they typically leave it alone. Bleeding heart thrives in shady areas with moist, well-drained soil, and it blooms in spring. This plant can grow up to 3 feet tall, making it a lovely addition to shaded parts of your garden. It’s one of the most charming options for adding color to your garden while keeping rabbits away.
Allium
Alliums, or ornamental onions, are striking plants that rabbits tend to steer clear of due to their strong onion-like scent. Known for their large, spherical purple or white flower heads, alliums add a bold architectural element to any garden. These plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a hardy choice for various climates. Alliums are also drought-resistant and low-maintenance, growing up to four feet tall.