Rabbit Resistant Flowers

Rabbit resistant flowers for US gardens

The most reliably rabbit-resistant flowers in US gardens are daffodils, lavender, salvia, foxglove, catmint, Russian sage, and coneflower. These plants share traits rabbits consistently avoid: toxic alkaloids, strong fragrance, or bitter taste.

No flower is completely rabbit-proof. A desperate rabbit in late winter will eat almost anything. But the plants below are avoided in the vast majority of US gardens under normal rabbit pressure — and combining resistant varieties with good garden design and physical barriers stops most damage.

Why rabbits avoid certain flowers

Rabbits rely on smell and taste to evaluate plants. They consistently avoid plants that are:

• Toxic or bitter: Daffodils, foxglove, monkshood, and larkspur contain alkaloids that rabbits have learned to avoid
• Strongly aromatic: Lavender, salvia, catmint, and Russian sage contain volatile oils that overwhelm rabbit senses
• Spiny or hairy: Prickly stems, rough foliage, or hairy leaves deter browsing
• Milky sap: Euphorbias, poppies, and some other plants with milky latex are generally avoided

Penn State Extension’s rabbit-resistant garden plants database provides a ranked list of plant resistance based on observed rabbit behavior across the Northeast US.

Most reliable rabbit-resistant flowers

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Reliability: ★★★★★

Daffodils are the most rabbit-proof spring bulb in the US. They contain lycorine, galantamine, and other alkaloids that are toxic to rabbits. Rabbits learn quickly to avoid them and rarely return to established plantings.

Plant daffodils throughout the garden as a deterrent: mixed with tulips, they protect tulip plantings. USDA Zones 3–8.

Lavender (Lavandula)

Reliability: ★★★★★

The strong fragrance of lavender repels rabbits reliably across US gardens. English lavender (L. angustifolia) is the hardiest, performing in Zones 5–8. Lavandin varieties (‘Grosso’, ‘Phenomenal’) are equally repellent and grow faster. See our full lavender plant care guide for growing details.

Salvia / Sage (Salvia)

Reliability: ★★★★★

Ornamental salvias — both annual types and perennial species — are highly aromatic and consistently avoided by rabbits. Particularly reliable varieties:

• Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Zones 4–8)
• Salvia × sylvestris ‘Blue Hill’ (Zones 4–8)
• Annual salvias (S. splendens) — treated as annuals across the US
• Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) — similarly aromatic and rabbit-avoided (Zones 4–9)

Foxglove (Digitalis)

Reliability: ★★★★★

Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides (digitoxin) that are toxic to rabbits and all mammals. Rabbits avoid foxglove reliably. Grow as a biennial in Zones 4–8; overwinters as a rosette and blooms in year two.

Important: Foxglove is also toxic to humans and pets — plant it away from areas where children play.

Catmint (Nepeta)

Reliability: ★★★★☆

Catmint is strongly aromatic and rabbit-avoided in most US gardens. An excellent low-maintenance perennial for Zones 3–8 with a long bloom season from late spring through fall. The aroma that attracts cats (though less intensely than true catnip) is the same feature that deters rabbits. See our catmint care guide for full details.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Reliability: ★★★☆☆

Coneflower is moderately resistant — established plants are rarely heavily browsed, but young plants and spring growth may be grazed. The bitter taste of the leaves deters most rabbits once plants are established. Best in Zones 3–8 where it is a tough, reliable perennial. See our coneflower growing guide.

Marigolds (Tagetes)

Reliability: ★★★☆☆

Marigolds are aromatic and moderately rabbit-resistant. They work well as a border plant to create a scented barrier. French marigolds (T. patula) are more pungent than African marigolds (T. erecta) and may repel better. Plant early-season marigolds near vulnerable plants to create a fragrance barrier.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Reliability: ★★★☆☆

A native US wildflower that established rabbits tend to avoid once plants reach 12+ inches tall. Young plants in spring may be browsed. Once mature, the rough, hairy leaves deter most rabbits. Zones 3–9, highly adaptable across US climates.

Coneflower (Echinacea) vs. Black-eyed Susan quick comparison

Flowers frequently eaten by rabbits

Avoid planting these in high-rabbit-pressure areas without physical barriers:

• Impatiens — among the first plants grazed by rabbits; highly palatable
• Petunias — frequently damaged; require protection in rabbit-dense areas
• Pansies and violas — sweet, low-growing; prime rabbit targets in spring
• Tulips — highly palatable; plant daffodils among tulips to create a deterrent zone
• Hostas — foliage frequently grazed in spring; see what rabbits won’t eat for alternatives
• Zinnias — popular with rabbits, especially in early season
• Daylilies — moderately palatable; young growth browsed regularly

Rabbit-resistant flower combinations for US gardens

Combining resistant plants creates a more visually complete garden. These combinations work well across most US zones:

Sunny perennial border (Zones 4–8):

• Catmint (front), salvia nemorosa (middle), Russian sage (back)
• Coneflower mixed with black-eyed Susan for summer color

Spring bulb planting:

• Daffodils as the primary bulb; interplant alliums for additional rabbit deterrence
• Add tulips in the center of daffodil rings — the surrounding daffodils create a barrier

Low-maintenance foundation planting:

• Lavender edging along beds (fragrance barrier)
• Salvias as filler
• Ornamental grasses (ignored by rabbits) as structural backdrop

Physical barriers work alongside resistant plants

Even the best rabbit-resistant flowers benefit from physical protection in high-pressure areas or during the vulnerable early spring period.

Hardware cloth cylinders: 24-inch-tall cylinder of ½-inch hardware cloth around individual plants. Effective for newly planted perennials while they establish.

Garden fencing: 30-inch-tall chicken wire buried 6 inches underground prevents rabbits from digging underneath. More practical than plant cages for whole beds.

For severe rabbit pressure, see our full guide on how to keep rabbits out of your garden for fencing specs and habitat-modification strategies.

Deer-and-rabbit resistant flowers

Many rabbit-resistant flowers also resist deer browsing — a bonus in suburban and rural US gardens where both animals cause damage.

For a full list of deer-resistant options, see our guides on deer resistant perennials and deer resistant flowers.