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Rabbits are less likely to browse plants with strong aromas, fuzzy or dense leaves, tough foliage, or naturally unappealing compounds. Eight practical choices are lavender, lamb’s ear, yarrow, yucca, daffodils, ornamental onions, catmint and oregano. None is rabbit-proof: Ask Extension says, “Unfortunately, there are no completely ‘rabbit proof’ plants,” and the University of Maryland similarly notes that “no plant is totally rabbit proof.” Use these plants to reduce damage, then add physical exclusion wherever browsing matters.
Eight plants rabbits are less likely to browse
Resistance varies with rabbit numbers, available food, weather and the individual site. The lists below come from extension guidance rather than a guaranteed ranking.
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Penn State lists lavender as rabbit-resistant for average-to-dry, sunny locations. Its intense fragrance also fits Iowa State’s observation that rabbits often avoid strongly aromatic plants. Grow it in sharply drained soil; wet winter conditions are a bigger risk than rabbit browsing. Lavender is primarily ornamental, although culinary cultivars can be used as an herb.
2. Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
Penn State lists lamb’s ears as rabbit-resistant, and Iowa State includes it among plants seldom damaged. The thick, fuzzy leaves match the texture rabbits tend to avoid. Plant it in sun and well-drained soil, and remove excess flower stalks if you want a low, silver ground cover. It is an ornamental perennial rather than an edible crop.
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- HARMLESS TO PLANTS AND ANIMALS: Won’t harm plants and animals when used and stored as directed
- APPLY YEAR-ROUND: For best results, shake well before each use
3. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Penn State recommends yarrow for average-to-dry sunny sites; the University of Maryland and Ask Extension also include common yarrow in resistant-plant lists. Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial with aromatic foliage and flat flower clusters. It suits pollinator plantings and cut-flower gardens, but can spread where soil and moisture favor it.
4. Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
Penn State and Iowa State list yucca among less-damaged choices, while Ask Extension describes it as resistant to some degree. Its stiff, fibrous, pointed leaves are a poor match for casual browsing. Yucca needs sun and excellent drainage and works best as a permanent architectural accent. Keep it away from paths where sharp leaf tips could catch people or pets.
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- 2000+ Mixed Candytuft Flower Seeds - Produces delicate blooms in white, pink, and lavender, adding charm to your garden and attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees
- Perennial Plant - Grows to a height of approximately 12 inches, perfect for ground cover, and thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions
- Summer Blooms - With proper care, Candytufts bloom profusely in spring and summer, creating stunning displays, ideal for borders, rock gardens, and containers
- Drought Tolerant & Low Maintenance - These plants are drought-resistant and require minimal care, thriving in dry conditions and offering long-lasting beauty with minimal water needs
- Ground Cover Use - Perfect for filling gaps in your garden, Candytufts spread to form a dense carpet, reducing weed growth and providing easy maintenance while adding vibrant color
5. Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
The University of Maryland lists Narcissus among resistant plants, and Iowa State lists daffodils among bulbs seldom damaged. Plant bulbs in sun or light shade with drainage that does not stay soggy. Daffodils provide spring color and are ornamental rather than edible; do not confuse their bulbs with food crops.
6. Ornamental onion and allium (Allium spp.)
Iowa State lists ornamental onion among bulbs seldom damaged, while Penn State includes ornamental onion and chives among rabbit-resistant choices. The onion-family scent is the likely advantage. Ornamental alliums supply tall flower spheres, and chives offer an edible option, but neither should be treated as a guaranteed barrier when rabbits are hungry.
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- Blooming: Showy, fragrant purple flowers bloom from May to June. These bouquets are about the size of a softball and are very impressive.
- Sunlight: Requires full sun.
- Soil: Grows easily in fertile, sandy to sandy, dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil.
- Estimated flowering period: Blooms from late spring to early summer.
- Attract pollinators: They are deer resistant and perfect for pollinator gardens.
7. Catmint (Nepeta cataria and cultivars)
Penn State lists catmint for average sun and dry-to-average moisture. Its aromatic foliage makes it a sensible rabbit-resistant perennial, but the recommendation is site-dependent rather than absolute. Catmint suits borders and pollinator gardens; shear it after the first flush of bloom to encourage fresh growth and a tidier shape.
8. Oregano (Origanum spp.)
Penn State lists oregano among average-sun choices, and Iowa State includes oregano among herbs seldom damaged. Its strong scent can make it less appealing than tender leafy plants. Grow oregano in well-drained soil and harvest regularly. It is one of the few choices here that can serve both an ornamental edging and an edible kitchen garden, subject to normal food-safety and cultivar guidance.
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- Known for its butter yellow, 6-inch petals, the Daylily "Buttered Popcorn" is a great flower. Known for its resilience, it thrives in drought conditions and is resistant to rabbits, making it ideal for areas with wildlife.
- Low Maintenance Perennial – Known for being easy to grow and maintain, this hardy perennial is perfect for beginner gardeners or anyone looking to add effortless beauty to their outdoor space. Simply plant the bare root, and enjoy the blooms year after year.
- Its butter yellow, 6-inch petals, makes the Daylily "Buttered Popcorn" a great flower. Known for its resilience, it thrives in drought conditions and is resistant to rabbits, making it ideal for areas with wildlife.
- This compact and re-blooming daylily is ideal for creating stunning garden borders, pathways, or landscape accents, with its vibrant flowers adding a cheerful touch to any outdoor space.
- Use daylilies as a naturalizing plant, a groundcover, in formal sweeps, or as a focal point in the perennial border. Also consider planting over and around Spring-flowering bulbs to hide the bulb's foliage as it matures naturally, while adding late spring and summer color.
Quick comparison
| Plant | Habit and use | Typical site | Why it may be less browsed | Protection expectation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Perennial; ornamental, some culinary use | Full sun; average-to-dry, sharply drained soil | Strong fragrance | Usually low where established; fence vulnerable new growth |
| Lamb’s ear | Perennial; ornamental ground cover | Sun; well-drained soil | Dense, fuzzy leaves | Low to moderate, depending on nearby food |
| Yarrow | Perennial; ornamental and pollinator plant | Sun; average-to-dry soil | Aromatic foliage and tougher texture | Low to moderate; monitor spreading clumps |
| Yucca | Perennial; ornamental accent | Sun; very good drainage | Stiff, fibrous, pointed leaves | Low after establishment; protect young plants |
| Daffodil | Spring bulb; ornamental | Sun to light shade; well-drained soil | Bulb and foliage are seldom damaged | Usually low for bulbs; guard emerging shoots if pressure is high |
| Ornamental allium | Bulb; ornamental; chives are edible | Sun; drained soil | Onion-family aroma | Low to moderate; protect new shoots in heavily browsed beds |
| Catmint | Perennial; ornamental and pollinator plant | Sun; dry-to-average moisture | Aromatic foliage | Moderate and site-dependent |
| Oregano | Perennial herb; edible and ornamental | Sun; well-drained soil | Strong aroma | Low to moderate; fence edible beds when damage is costly |
Why these plants are not rabbit repellents
“Rabbit-resistant” means less likely to be eaten, not chemically repellent. Iowa State explains that rabbits tend to avoid strong aromas and dense, hairy leaves, but feeding changes with population, alternative food and other conditions. A hungry rabbit may sample or repeatedly browse a plant that normally escapes damage. No authoritative source cited here provides a reliable percentage of protection, so treat resistance as a probability, not a performance guarantee.
How to protect a garden when browsing continues
Use exclusion first
UC Integrated Pest Management calls exclusion the surest way to protect a garden. Ask Extension recommends chicken wire or rigid polypropylene tubes. For a bed or individual plant, use hardware cloth or rabbit fencing with openings smaller than a rabbit’s head, and bury the lower edge at least 6 inches so rabbits cannot push underneath. Check gates, corners and the soil line for gaps after installation.
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- Flower varieties included are known to deter deer and rabbits
Add repellents only as a secondary measure
UC IPM reports that dried-blood and putrescent-whole-egg products can reduce browsing, but they require frequent reapplication after rain, dew, irrigation or new growth. Many products cannot be applied to edible plant parts. Follow the current product label for permitted plants, dilution, harvest interval and reapplication timing; do not substitute a homemade formula for those directions.
Match the effort to the plant and the damage
- Use resistant perennials as the first layer in ornamental borders.
- Fence seedlings, bulbs as they emerge and valuable edible beds even when the mature plant is seldom damaged.
- Inspect after planting, severe weather and periods when surrounding vegetation is scarce.
- Replace a repeatedly damaged plant with a different resistant choice rather than assuming every cultivar will perform identically.
What about lavender, marigolds and other popular suggestions?
Lavender is supported by the extension lists above. The evidence supplied for this article does not establish marigolds as a dependable rabbit-resistant plant, so they should not be presented as a guaranteed deterrent. The same rule applies to any plant sold as “rabbit-proof”: verify the recommendation for your region and still plan for fencing if damage has consequences.
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