As is the case with deer, no plant is completely impervious to damage from rabbits. However, there are certain plants that tend to incur little to no damage from rabbits browsing in the garden. Scroll for a list of the top Annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs that are known to be rabbit resistant, and download our full guide below.
annuals, perennials & shrubs
rabbit resistant gardening
top 10 rabbit resistant
annuals
Which annuals are most rabbit resistant? Remember, no plant is impervious to rabbits, but those that are thorny, spiny, secrete a milky sap, or are heavily aromatic tend to have a good rabbit resistance.
- Ageratum
- Begonia (wax varieties)
- Cleome
- Dahlia
- Flowering Vinca
- Helichrysum
- Lantana
- Salvia
- Senecio
- Verbena
top 10 rabbit resistant
perennials
Similar to annuals, perennials that possess thorny, spiny, or rough textures — or those that secrete a milky sap, or are heavily aromatic — tend to be more rabbit resistant.
- Allium (ornamental onion)
- Anemone
- Astilbe
- Bee Balm
- Brunnera
- Catmint
- Foxglove
- Ferns (Cinnamon & Ostrich)
- Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
- Yarrow
For a more complete list, including over 70 rabbit resistant perennials, view our downloadable gardening guide.
download the Rabbit Resistant Plants guide
top 10 rabbit resistant
shrubs
- Azalea
- Barberry
- Butterfly Bush
- Boxwood
- Dogwood
- Lilac
- Juniper
- Rhododendron
- Rose (thorny varieties)
- Spirea
critter-resistant
repellents
Tender, immature growth on these plants may require protection — especially in spring — using repellents such as Plantskydd®, Repels-All®, Hot Pepper Wax Spray, or even a physical barrier like burlap or fencing. As plants mature, they will generally become less desirable to rabbit browsing.
rabbit resistant
gardening
Choosing plants that rabbits tend to avoid is one of the most effective ways to reduce damage and frustration in the garden. Click the link below to download our full guide to the top rabbit resistant plants to grow in Northeast Ohio.
download the Rabbit Resistant Plants guide