Perennials that rabbits tend to avoid usually share certain traits that make them less appealing. Many have strong aromas or pungent oils that overwhelm a rabbit’s sensitive nose, signaling that the plant may be unpalatable or even toxic. These natural fragrances, while pleasant or useful to humans, act as a deterrent in the animal world, keeping rabbits from nibbling on them.
Another common trait of rabbit-resistant perennials is their texture. Plants with fuzzy, spiny, leathery, or tough leaves are far less inviting to rabbits compared to tender, smooth foliage. The physical difficulty of chewing through such leaves makes them an unattractive option when softer alternatives are available in the garden.
Toxicity also plays a role in keeping rabbits away. Some perennials contain alkaloids, saponins, or other natural compounds that are harmful if ingested. Rabbits have a strong instinct for avoiding potentially poisonous plants, and this natural defense mechanism helps protect them from accidental harm. For gardeners, these plants are valuable because they tend to remain untouched even in areas with heavy rabbit pressure.
Seasonal growth habits further influence how attractive a perennial is to rabbits. Plants that emerge early with bitter-tasting foliage, or those that develop woody stems as they mature, are often less vulnerable. Rabbits prefer young, tender shoots, so perennials that quickly toughen up after sprouting usually escape the worst damage.
Finally, the placement and diversity of perennials in the garden can enhance rabbit resistance overall. By combining plants with strong scents, bitter tastes, or coarse textures, gardeners create a landscape that is naturally less appealing to rabbits.
Perennials That Rabbits Don’t Eat
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is highly fragrant, which deters rabbits from eating it. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, producing purple blooms and silvery foliage. Its strong aroma is pleasant to humans but repels many browsing animals, including rabbits.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow has feathery foliage and clusters of brightly colored flowers. Rabbits tend to avoid it because of its bitter taste and slightly toxic compounds. It’s drought-tolerant, hardy, and a great pollinator attractor for Zone 3–9 gardens.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
With aromatic, silvery leaves and tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers, Russian Sage is not appetizing to rabbits. Its strong scent and rough texture make it unappealing. This perennial is long-blooming, thriving in hot, sunny areas with minimal care.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxglove is toxic to rabbits (and humans if ingested), so they instinctively avoid it. This perennial produces tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers in summer. It thrives in partial shade and adds vertical height to perennial borders, though care must be taken around pets and children.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart, with its iconic heart-shaped flowers, is usually left untouched by rabbits because its foliage contains compounds that repel them. It prefers shady, moist environments and is an excellent choice for woodland gardens.
Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Peonies are hardy, long-lived perennials that rabbits rarely eat. Their thick, leathery leaves are not appealing, and the plant’s fragrance further discourages browsing. Peonies are prized for their large, showy blooms in late spring.
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear has fuzzy, velvety leaves that rabbits dislike chewing on. This low-growing perennial is often used as a ground cover, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s especially useful for adding texture to borders and edging.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Columbine produces delicate, nodding flowers in spring and early summer. Rabbits tend to avoid it due to its mildly toxic foliage. It’s an adaptable perennial, growing well in sun to partial shade and tolerating various soil types.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers are rabbit-resistant due to their rough, spiny stems and leaves. These tough perennials thrive in full sun, attracting pollinators while adding bold color to gardens. Their resilience and drought tolerance make them a reliable choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
Often called the Lenten Rose, hellebore blooms very early in spring, even pushing through snow. Rabbits avoid it because it contains toxic alkaloids. Its leathery, evergreen leaves and long-lasting flowers make it a standout in shade gardens.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm is a fragrant perennial with spiky clusters of red, pink, or purple flowers. Its strong minty aroma is unappealing to rabbits but very attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators. It thrives in sunny, moist garden beds.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata and hybrids)
Known for its cheerful yellow daisy-like blooms, Coreopsis has bitter-tasting foliage that rabbits tend to leave alone. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and blooms continuously through summer into fall.
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are hardy perennials with strappy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers. While deer sometimes browse them, rabbits usually avoid them, particularly mature clumps, since the leaves are not tender or appealing.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Catmint is aromatic, drought-tolerant, and covered in purple flowers during summer. Rabbits dislike its fragrant foliage, but pollinators love it. It’s often used as an edging perennial or as a companion plant in cottage-style gardens.
Allium (Allium spp.)
Alliums, including ornamental onion varieties, have a strong onion-like smell and taste that rabbits avoid. They produce striking globe-shaped flowers on tall stems, adding structure and late-spring color to gardens.
Iris (Iris germanica and others)
Bearded Iris and Siberian Iris are generally rabbit-resistant due to their thick, tough leaves and sometimes toxic rhizomes. Their dramatic blooms appear in late spring, and they adapt well to a range of soils and conditions.
Perennial Salvia (Salvia nemorosa and hybrids)
Perennial Salvias are highly aromatic members of the mint family. Rabbits dislike their strong fragrance and fuzzy leaves. Salvias are long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and perfect for sunny perennial borders.
Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Astilbe thrives in moist, shady areas and produces feathery plumes of pink, white, or red flowers. Rabbits tend to ignore it because of its bitter-tasting foliage. It’s an excellent perennial for woodland gardens or shady borders.
Heuchera (Heuchera spp. – Coral Bells)
Heucheras are grown for their colorful foliage, ranging from lime green to deep purple. Rabbits usually avoid them because of their slightly bitter, tough leaves. They thrive in part shade and are excellent for borders and woodland gardens.
Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
Also known as Siberian Bugloss, this perennial has large, heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue spring flowers. Rabbits avoid it due to its rough-textured foliage, which is unappealing to chew. It’s ideal for shady beds and moist soils.
Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp. – Spurge)
Euphorbias are generally avoided by rabbits because their milky sap is toxic and irritating. They come in many forms, from groundcovers to upright perennials, and thrive in dry, sunny locations.
Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
These late-summer bloomers produce graceful pink or white flowers on tall stems. Rabbits tend to leave them alone due to their slightly toxic compounds and coarse foliage. They grow well in part shade with moist soil.
Gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora – Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia is a drought-tolerant perennial with bold red, orange, and yellow flowers. Its fuzzy, bitter-tasting leaves deter rabbits, while the plant thrives in poor soils and hot, sunny locations.
Poppy (Papaver orientale)
Oriental Poppies produce large, showy flowers in late spring. Rabbits avoid them because they contain alkaloids that are toxic if ingested. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, adding dramatic seasonal color to gardens.
Sedum (Sedum spp. – Stonecrop)
Sedums are succulent perennials with fleshy leaves that rabbits rarely eat. They store water in their leaves, making them drought-resistant. Varieties like Autumn Joy add fall interest with clusters of pink-to-rust-colored flowers.
Penstemon (Penstemon spp. – Beardtongue)
Penstemons produce tubular flowers in shades of purple, red, or pink. Rabbits avoid them because of their tough, leathery foliage. These perennials thrive in sunny, well-drained sites and are excellent pollinator plants.
Geum (Geum spp. – Avens)
Geum offers cheerful orange, red, or yellow blooms in late spring to summer. Rabbits typically ignore them because their leaves have a rough texture and mild bitterness. They grow well in full sun to partial shade.
Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria officinalis – Lungwort)
Pulmonaria is a shade-loving perennial with spotted leaves and early spring flowers in pink, purple, or blue. Rabbits avoid it because of its hairy foliage and slightly bitter taste. It thrives in moist, shady woodland gardens.
Baptisia (Baptisia australis – False Indigo)
False Indigo is a tall perennial with pea-like blue flowers in late spring. Its toxic alkaloids make it unappetizing to rabbits. It’s drought-tolerant once established and adds structure and color to sunny borders.
Artemisia (Artemisia spp. – Wormwood)
Artemisia is highly aromatic, with silvery foliage that rabbits dislike. Its strong scent and bitter oils make it rabbit-resistant. This sun-loving perennial is also drought-tolerant and works well in xeriscapes.
Dicentra eximia (Fernleaf Bleeding Heart)
Unlike the common bleeding heart, Fernleaf Bleeding Heart blooms repeatedly through summer. Its foliage contains compounds rabbits avoid, making it a safe choice. It prefers partial shade and consistent moisture.
Kniphofia (Kniphofia uvaria – Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia produces striking spikes of tubular flowers in fiery colors. Rabbits avoid it because its leaves are tough and fibrous, making them unpleasant to chew. It thrives in sunny, well-drained soil.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Tansy has aromatic fern-like foliage and yellow button-like flowers. Rabbits steer clear because of its strong scent and natural toxicity. It grows easily in full sun but can spread aggressively, so it’s best controlled.
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hollyhocks are tall cottage-garden classics. While deer may browse them, rabbits generally avoid their coarse, hairy leaves. They grow 5–8 feet tall and add vertical color to borders.
Geranium (Geranium spp. – Hardy Cranesbill)
Hardy geraniums are tough perennials with mounding growth and small colorful blooms. Rabbits dislike their scented foliage and slightly bitter taste. They adapt to a wide range of soils and light conditions.
Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus – Lavender Cotton)
Santolina is a drought-resistant, sun-loving perennial with silvery, finely textured leaves. Rabbits avoid it because of its aromatic oils and strong fragrance. It’s ideal for Mediterranean-style or low-water gardens.