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If wild rabbits have ever found their way into your garden, you’ll be well aware that bunnies can develop quite a taste for those flowers you’ve spent months growing.
But what about pet rabbits? Are flowers safe for rabbits to eat?
The answer: yes and no. Some flowers, such as daisies and sunflowers, are perfectly safe for rabbits to eat. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other popular flowers and plants that are toxic for rabbits, including lilies and rhododendron.
With this in mind, it’s essential to know exactly what flowers are growing in your yard before letting your bunny loose in your garden.
Why Do Rabbits Chew Flowers?
You feed your rabbit a balanced diet of hay, leafy greens and pellets, so why does he feel the need to chew on everything he finds?
Well, your bunny’s teeth grow continuously throughout the course of his life. Chewing helps trim the teeth down and maintain proper dental health, so it’s a necessary and very satisfying behavior for your pet.
And eating flowers can also be quite a rewarding pastime for your furry friend. There are plenty of common flowers that taste delicious to rabbits, so don’t be surprised if your bunny tries to forage for a tasty snack in your garden.
However, not all flowers and plants are safe for rabbits to eat — in fact, some are highly toxic — so it’s essential to be aware of what flowers rabbits can eat.
Let’s take a closer look at some popular flower varieties to find out whether they’re safe for your pet to nibble on.
Can Rabbits Eat Roses?
The world’s most famous flower is a popular choice with gardeners around the world, and it’s also perfectly safe for your rabbit to eat. Bunnies can eat rose petals and all parts of the rose bush, so if you’ve got a rose garden you’d like to keep pristine, keep your rabbit well away from it.
Can Rabbits Eat Marigolds?
It depends on the type of marigold. Pot marigolds are considered safe for bunnies to eat, so it’s OK for your bunny to munch on these vibrantly colored flowers. However, some sources list French and African marigolds as unsafe for bunnies, so it’s best to steer clear of these varieties.
Can Rabbits Eat Daisies?
Yes. Daisies are regularly listed as safe flowers for bunnies to eat. So if you catch your bunny munching on a daisy or two while exploring your yard, there’s nothing to worry about.
Can Rabbits Eat Dandelions?
Most people consider dandelion to be a weed, but did you know that many parts of the dandelion plant are used in herbal medicine and cooking?
Dandelion flowers are also safe for your rabbit to eat, as are the leaves. In fact, many rabbits seem to love the taste of dandelions, so don’t worry if your bunny starts chowing down on one of these pretty little flowers.
Can Rabbits Eat Sunflowers?
Many keen gardeners will attest that sunflowers are a common target for wild rabbits, so it should come as no surprise to find out that these gorgeous yellow flowers are safe for your pet to eat. However, it’s best to avoid giving your bunny any sunflower seeds — seeds of any kind can be difficult for your bunny to digest, so should never be included in your rabbit’s diet.
Can Rabbits Eat Lavender?
Pretty and fragrant, lavender is used in humans to relieve anxiety, stress and more. Happily, it’s also a safe herb for your beautiful bunny to snack on as it’s not toxic to bunnies.
However, not all rabbits like the taste and smell of lavender, so don’t be surprised if your pet turns their nose up at this particular garden treat.
Can Rabbits Eat Pansies?
With compact plants and flowers that come in a huge range of colors, pansies are a popular addition to gardens in many countries. They’re also a favorite snack for wild rabbits, and another flower your domesticated bunny will love to eat.
Can Rabbits Eat Carnations?
No. Carnations are toxic to rabbits, so don’t ever let your bunny nibble on any of these beautiful flowers. And if you insist on planting some carnations in your garden, make sure to keep your pet well away from the area.
Can Rabbits Eat Petunias?
Low-maintenance plants that sport flowers in a huge variety of colors, petunias are much loved by garden enthusiasts the world over. And if your bunny is given a chance to graze in your garden, there’s a good chance they’ll love nibbling on petunia petals.
Happily, petunias are perfectly safe for rabbits to eat.
Can Rabbits Eat Buttercups?
If you’ve got buttercups growing in your yard, make sure your bunny doesn’t get a chance to eat them. Buttercups are regularly included on lists of plants that are poisonous to bunnies, so don’t let your pet nibble on them.
While some sources indicate that small amounts of buttercup within dried hay won’t harm your bunny, the safest option is to steer clear of these particular flowers altogether.
List of Flowers Poisonous to Rabbits
There are some flowers that are poisonous to rabbits or that aren’t safe for bunnies to eat. Some of the flowers rabbits should never eat include:
- Azaleas
- Bluebells
- Buttercups
- Carnations
- Chrysanthemums
- Daffodils
- Foxgloves
- Geraniums
- Hydrangeas
- Irises
- Lilies
- Poppies
- Rhododendrons
- Tulips
However, please note that this is not a complete list of flowers that are not safe for rabbits to eat. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a particular flower is OK for your pet to eat, the safest choice is to avoid feeding it to your bunny.
Finally, please note that you should never give your bunny flowers that have been treated with pesticides as the nasty chemicals they contain can be harmful to bunnies. As a result, you should never let your rabbit eat flowers or plants that you’ve purchased from a florist.
What Should I Do If My Rabbit Eats a Poisonous Plant?
If you’re at all worried that your rabbit has eaten something poisonous, the safest thing you can do is seek veterinary attention straight away. Your vet will then be able to assess your rabbit and determine whether they require treatment or not.
The good news is that in many cases, if your bunny has a small nibble on some of the flowers listed as unsafe for rabbits, it’s unlikely to do them any major harm. That said, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t hesitate to take your bun to the vet if you’re concerned.
How Do I Keep Rabbits From Eating My Flowers?
If you want to prevent your bunny or wild rabbits from eating your flowers, there are a few different strategies to try. One is to plant your garden with varieties commonly classed as being rabbit-repellent; however, these won’t necessarily repel all wild rabbits.
You’ll also find a range of taste repellents at gardening stores, or you might want to try concocting your own recipe at home (only using rabbit-safe ingredients, of course). However, these repellents will need to be re-applied regularly.
This leaves one remaining option as the safest choice: restricting your rabbit’s access to certain areas of the garden altogether. If there are particular flowers in your garden you don’t want your pet to get to, build a fence to keep them out. Alternatively, supervise them closely whenever they’re allowed out to explore, and redirect them towards safer chewing options if they start targeting your much-loved flowers.
Final Thoughts
Rabbits can eat some flowers, and there are several common flower varieties that they can safely consume. However, there are also many flowers and plants that are dangerous and even toxic to bunnies, so make sure you’re fully aware of everything growing in your garden before letting your bunny out to forage.
FAQs
Is there a flower that rabbits won't eat? ›
Yarrow. Known as a hardy, drought-resistant perennial, yarrow works well in sun-loving cottage garden settings and in wildflower gardens. This rugged rabbit-resistant plant blooms through the summer in shades of yellow, pink, red, and white. The long-lasting blooms are great for those fill-in spots in bouquets.
What flower keeps rabbits away? ›Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and columbine.
What flowers dont squirrels and rabbits eat? ›- Allium.
- Anise Hyssop.
- Bee Balm.
- Begonia.
- Black-Eyed Susan.
- Catmint.
- Chives.
- Foxglove.
Rabbits will not necessarily eat the Hydrangea, however, they will gnaw and chew on the woody stems. This can seriously cause a lot of damage to the plant.
Do rabbits eat marigolds? ›Rabbits prefer young, tender shoots and are particularly fond of lettuce, beans, and broccoli. Flowers they like to nibble include gazanias, marigolds, pansies, and petunias.
Do rabbits eat hostas? ›Hostas are decorative, flowering perennials often used as landscape plants. These plants are especially attractive to rabbits that will eat all the leaves and even the stems. If it is a new, young plant, rabbits may eat it down to the roots. Often, the destruction that rabbits cause ends up with the death of the plant.
Do rabbits like black eyed Susans? ›Named for their dark brown centers peeking out of the gold or bronze petals, black-eyed susans thrive in the sun. Because its covered in course hair, deer and rabbits stay far away from it. These daisy-like blooms are perfect for a late summer or fall bouquet.
WHAT IS A Bunny's favorite flower? ›During their lives, rabbits will gravitate toward their favorite flowering plants throughout the growing season, relishing pansies, and tulips in the spring, snacking on impatiens, oakleaf hydrangea, and hybrid lilies in the summer, and celebrating a fall harvest of asters come September and October.
What flowers can I put on a grave that rabbits won't eat? ›- Acanthus species (bear's breeches)
- Aconitum species (monkshood)
- Agapanthus (African lily)
- Ajuga reptans (bugle)
- Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle)
- Allium (ornamental onions)
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
- Anaphalis.
Deter Furry Visitors
Black-eyed susans, aster, lupine, coreopsis and purple coneflower planted among, or bordering, vegetable crops help repel deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. Alliums, such as nodding wild onion, and plants in the mint family, such as mountain mint, can also do the trick.
Do marigolds keep rabbits away? ›
An edging of marigolds may deter rabbits. Plant deterrents. Onions, garlic, marigolds, lavender, catnip-many plants are credited with being deterrents to rabbits. What they all have in common is a strong scent.
Do coffee grounds keep rabbits away from plants? ›Will coffee grounds keep rabbits away? Sprinkling coffee grounds among your plants may help to ward off rabbits and other small mammals due to coffee's powerful scent. Plus, it composts naturally over time, giving your plants some extra nutrients!
Do marigolds keep squirrels and rabbits away? ›Some plant varieties that deter squirrels are daffodils and marigolds.
Do rabbits eat marigolds and zinnias? ›Plant Plants That Rabbits Dislike
Introducing plants that rabbits aren't likely to eat is also useful for keeping away deer, since the two animals typically dislike the same things. Forsythia, lilac bush, marigolds, zinnias, daffodils, lavender and snapdragons are beautiful options that also help keep rabbits at bay.
Geranium - Non-toxic, safe to feed.
What vegetables will rabbits not eat? ›- Artichokes.
- Asparagus.
- Onions.
- Peppers (may eat young plants)
- Potatoes.
- Squash.
- Tomatoes.
- Cucumbers.
Select rabbit and deer-resistant flowers to plant in your garden. Some flowers that rabbits and deer tend to avoid eating include astilbe, daffodils, marigolds, snapdragons, daylilies, primrose and peonies.
Will rabbits eat impatiens? ›Bright, colorful impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) attract rabbits to your flowerbeds and containers, but they'll quickly eat all of your hard work. Impatiens are a genus of over 850 species that bloom from spring until winter.
Can rabbits eat sunflowers? ›Sunflower Petals are enjoyed by rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small animals. It is just perfect for feeding as part of a natural diet, as a treat or as extra tastiness to hay for added foraging fun! Sunflower Petals add a tasty variety to your little ones diet.
Will rabbits eat tomato plants? ›They don't only enjoy the plants themselves but also the fruits. Rabbits are herbivores. This means that they enjoy a variety of plants and greens. It's common to see rabbits munching on tomato leaves and stems while enjoying a few other garden plants such as lettuce and cucumbers.
What can I put around my plants so the rabbits won't eat them? ›
Try sprinkling dried sulfur around or on your plants. Rabbits also dislike the smell of onions, so try planting these around your garden to further deter the furry creatures. To discourage pesky rabbits, try dusting your plants with plain talcum powder.
What eats hostas at night? ›Besides hail, cutworms could also be the culprits; their signature is chewing the soft parts of the leaves and avoiding the veins. Slugs will munch anywhere on the leaves, right through the veins. Deer and rabbits will eat hostas, too, but they don't leave holes behind.
Will flowers grow back after rabbits eat them? ›“They will grow new stems to replace the ones that were eaten,” she said. The bad news is that a spring-flowering shrub, such as viburnum, forsythia, or deutzia, likely won't bloom after being sheared by rabbits. The flowers of those shrubs emerge from buds that were formed last year and carried through the winter.
What smells do rabbits hate? ›Rabbits have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as garlic, vinegar, chili powder, predator urine, sulfur, blood meal, chives, lavender, geraniums, and wax begonias.
Do rabbits like impatiens? ›Bright, colorful impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) attract rabbits to your flowerbeds and containers, but they'll quickly eat all of your hard work. Impatiens are a genus of over 850 species that bloom from spring until winter.
What do rabbits fear most? ›Any fast or sudden movements, loud noises, unfamiliar smells or larger creatures – including their owners – can trigger a fear response. 'We're predators from a rabbit's point of view,' explains clinical animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby, who runs animal behaviour consultancy Pet Sense.
What can I spray on my plants to keep rabbits from eating them? ›Make a bad-tasting rabbit cocktail by grinding together three hot peppers, three large onions, and one whole bunch of garlic. Add water to cover, and place into a covered container overnight. Strain, and then add enough additional water to make a gallon of the mixture. Spray onto plants, repeating after rainfall.
Can coffee grounds keep rabbits away? ›Will coffee grounds keep rabbits away? Sprinkling coffee grounds among your plants may help to ward off rabbits and other small mammals due to coffee's powerful scent. Plus, it composts naturally over time, giving your plants some extra nutrients!
What animals do coffee grounds keep away? ›Coffee Grounds to Deter Pests
Coffee grounds are commonly used to keep animals including slugs, snails, rabbits and fire ants from eating plants in the garden, and to keep cats from treating garden beds like litter boxes.
Rabbits prefer young, tender shoots and are particularly fond of lettuce, beans, and broccoli. Flowers they like to nibble include gazanias, marigolds, pansies, and petunias.
What do rabbits like the most? ›
Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet.