Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid

      Are your plants not looking as lush and colorful as you hoped? Make sure you haven't made any of these missteps. Read More Next
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More Next
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays

    International Women’s Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 109-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement in 1908 has become a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflĆ© dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See All Beauty & Style

    Here's Exactly How to Find Your Perfect Nude Nail Color

    Truth be told, there's no such thing as a universal nude.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See All Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See All Pets

    50 Perfect Calico Cat Names for Your Beautiful Kitty

    Use your pet's unique coat as inspiration on what to call them.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Gardening
  3. Pest & Problem Fixes
  4. Garden Pests
  5. 19 Beautiful Plants That Rabbits Don't Like

19 Beautiful Plants That Rabbits Don't Like

By Sheryl Geerts
Updated April 14, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Credit: Povy Kendal Atchison
Like people, different rabbits have different favorite foods. Also like people, when rabbits are hungry enough, they'll eat just about anything. So while few plants are truly rabbit-resistant, these varieties are lower down on the menu.
Start Slideshow

1 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Veronica

Credit: Perry L. Struse

It's hard not to love veronica because it blooms all summer long. The flower spikes appear in cheery shades of blue, pink, and white. This easy-to-grow perennial adds great texture to many other front-of-the-border plants.

Light: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 1-2 feet tall

Zones: 3-8

Buy It: 'Wizard of Ahhs' Veronica, $16.95, White Flower Farm

1 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Siberian Iris

Credit: Doug Hetherington

A garden favorite, Siberian iris blooms a little later than the tall bearded types and features wonderful grassy foliage with elegant blue, purple, rose, or white blooms. The flowers, like with most irises, are great for cutting and the plant still has an eye-catching form even when it's not in bloom.

Light: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 1-3 feet tall

Zones: 4-9

Buy It: 'Chartreuse Bounty' Siberian Iris, $15.95, White Flower Farm

2 of 19

3 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Salvia

Credit: Mark Kane

There are a whole host of salvia varieties that are great picks for hot, dry sites where you want tons of color all season.  All salvia varieties attract hummingbirds and most types are rabbit resistant. The blooms range from bright red to shades of purple and blue.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 1-5 feet tall, depending on variety

Zones: 3-9, depending on variety

Buy It: May Night Salvia, $14.98, The Home Depot

3 of 19

Advertisement

4 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peony

Credit: Blaine Moats

Known for their huge blooms, peonies are as rabbit-resistant as they are beautiful. These long-lived perennials are resilient as long as you stake up their heavy late springtime flowers to keep them from spilling on the ground after a heavy rain.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 2-7 feet tall, depending on variety

Zones: 3-8, depending on variety

Test Garden Tip: Make sure there's plenty of air circulation around your plants to help prevent fungal diseases.

Buy It: 9 Mixed Peony Bulbs, $32.99, The Home Depot

4 of 19

5 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Daylily

Credit: Reed Davis

One of the hardiest garden plants, daylilies bloom in a rainbow of shades and can take all but the toughest conditions. This low maintenance plant can easily be divided to create more individual plants for the garden. Select from the many easy-to-grow daylily varieties available and grow them in a sunny spot.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety

Zones: 3-10, depending on variety

Buy It: Autumn Red Daylily, $6.96, Holland Bulb Farms

5 of 19

6 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Allium

Credit: Greg Ryan

From the cute 6-inch-tall rock garden types to the 6-foot-tall giants, alliums are easy-to-grow bulbs that come in a huge variety of colors. Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are rarely eaten by rabbits and other critters due to their pungent smell. They're usually planted at the front of garden borders or near tender lily bulbs to act as an animal deterrent and to provide a whimsical landscape design.

Light: Full sun or partial sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 6 inches to 6 feet tall

Zones: 3-10, depending on variety

Buy It: 'Purple Sensation' Allium, $15.00, White Flower Farm

6 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Anise Hyssop

Credit: Marty Baldwin

An incredibly rugged North American native plant, anise hyssop produces spikes of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to fall. The flowers and the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name. They're also known to produce nectar that's irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies, so try creating a beautiful butterfly garden with this plant.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety

Zones: 4-10, depending on variety

Buy It: Anise Hyssop, $29.95, Nature Hills

7 of 19

8 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Astilbe

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

One of the most common plants in shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, white, and red in early summer. Its glossy divided foliage adds wonderful texture and color to a small-space shade garden. Look for varieties with bronzy tones infused in the leaves for extra color even after the blooms fade.

Light: Shade or part shade

Water: Plant in moist soil

Size: 1-3 feet tall

Zones: 4-8

Buy It: 'Bridal Veil' Astilbe, $12.95, White Flower Farm

8 of 19

9 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Baptisia

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

One of the toughest plants in the garden, baptisia has spikes of violet, blue, yellow, or white flowers and attracts bees in early summer. This drought-tolerant perennial has blue-green foliage that continues to look stunning all the way to frost. After blooming, its clusters of showy seed pods dry out as they mature and create a unique rattling noise in the breeze.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 5 feet tall

Zones: 3-9

Buy It: Baptisia Australis, $16.95, Bluestone Perennials

9 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bee Balm

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Rabbits may not like bee balm, but hummingbirds sure do. It's one of the best nectar plants for pollinators. This easy-growing plant produces lots of pink, red, violet, or white flowers from summer to early fall. The flowers are long-lasting and beautiful for cut bouquets.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in moist, well-drained soil

Size: 1-3 feet, depending on variety

Zones: 4-9

Buy It: Fireball Bee Balm, $9.89, High Country Gardens

10 of 19

11 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Catmint

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

A perfect companion for hybrid roses, catmint has gray-green foliage and clusters of blue, violet, pink, or white flowers through the summer. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. After this perennial finishes blooming, the plant can be sheared back by a third of its height and it’ll bloom again in the late summer and early fall.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 1-2 feet tall

Zones: 4-8, depending on variety

Buy It: Walker's Low Catmint, $39.95, Nature Hills

11 of 19

12 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Daffodil

Credit: Matthew Benson

While many spring bulbs are rabbit magnets, daffodils are one of the few bulbs that pesky critters avoid. These bulbs bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow, white, and pink and offer a variety of flower shapes. By planting both early and late-blooming types, you'll enjoy a full month of bloom in the yard and in spring bouquets.

Light: Full sun or shade

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: To 1 foot tall

Zones: 3-9, depending on variety

Buy It: Small Cup Daffodil Mix, $33.00, White Flower Farm

12 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Foxglove

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

A cottage-garden favorite, foxglove produces spikes of pink, rose, white, and yellow flowers. Though many common varieties are biennial (meaning they typically live only about two years), they will self-seed if you don't deadhead the flowers. Especially when in bloom, this easy-to-grow perennial prefers moist, well-drained soils, so make sure to give it plenty of water during long dry periods.

Light: Part sun

Water: Plant in moist, well-drained soil

Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety

Zones: 3-8, depending on variety

Buy It: 'Snow Thimble' Foxglove, $15.95, Bluestone Perennials

13 of 19

14 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lavender

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

One of the more ornamental herbs, lavender produces wonderfully fragrant foliage and flowers. The blooms typically appear in shades of violet and white and can easily be preserved as a dried flower for use in sachets and other craft projects. To successfully grow lavender, plant it in well-drained alkaline soil that easily allows water to pass through it.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 1-2 feet tall

Zones: 5-8, depending on variety

Buy It: 'After Midnight' English Lavender, $12.34, High Country Gardens

14 of 19

15 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fritillaria

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

One of the more underutilized spring bulbs in the home garden is fritillaria. This interesting bulb offers a wide variety of flower colors, forms, and sizes. Crown imperial is one of the most popular species. When it blooms, it's one of the most flamboyant plants in the spring garden with red, yellow, or orange flowers topped by a crown of leaves. The bulbs' faint skunky odor repels rabbits and other pests.

Light: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 6 inches to 4 feet tall

Zones: 3-9, depending on variety

Buy It: Red Crown Imperial Fritillaria, $7.99, American Meadows

15 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hellebore

Credit: Helen Norman Photography

A nearly indestructible shade garden plant, hellebores bloom in late winter or early spring and produce black, red, pink, white, cream, or green flowers. Sometimes called the Lenten rose, hellebores are a dainty bloom, one of the first beautiful flowers to announce the arrival of spring. In many climates, the plants are semi-evergreen.

Light: Shade

Water: Plant in moist, well-drained soil

Size: 1-2 feet tall

Zones: 4-9, depending on variety

Buy It: 'Confetti Cake' Hellebore, $19.95, Wayside Gardens

16 of 19

17 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Iris

Credit: EMR Photography

Most gardeners love tall bearded iris for its rabbit resistance, for its gorgeous frilly flowers that are great for cutting, and for its sweet scent. Plus, the flowers appear in almost every color of the rainbow. Reblooming irises offer an extra advantage of blooming again in fall.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 3 feet tall

Zones: 3-9

Buy It: Bearded Iris, $25.00, White Flower Farm

  • Ā 
  • Ā 

17 of 19

18 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lamb's Ear

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

A wonderful ground cover for sunny spots, lamb's ear is adorned with soft, fuzzy silvery leaves that rabbits tend to avoid. Though the leaves are its best feature, lamb's ears also produces spikes of pink flowers throughout the summer. This low-care plant is wonderfully drought resistant, too, so you can plant it and enjoy it without much care.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 18 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Buy It: Lamb's Ear, $6.95, Grower's Exchange

18 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Yarrow

Credit: Hedrich-Blessing Studio

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.

Light: Full sun

Water: Plant in well-drained soil

Size: 2-3 feet tall

Zones: 3-9, depending on variety

Buy It: 'Gold Plate' Yarrow, $14.95, White Flower Farm

19 of 19

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 19 Veronica
2 of 19 Siberian Iris
3 of 19 Salvia
4 of 19 Peony
5 of 19 Daylily
6 of 19 Allium
7 of 19 Anise Hyssop
8 of 19 Astilbe
9 of 19 Baptisia
10 of 19 Bee Balm
11 of 19 Catmint
12 of 19 Daffodil
13 of 19 Foxglove
14 of 19 Lavender
15 of 19 Fritillaria
16 of 19 Hellebore
17 of 19 Iris
18 of 19 Lamb's Ear
19 of 19 Yarrow

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Lawn Edgers
  • Exterior Paint
  • Flowers And Plants
  • Hanging Planters
  • Window Box Planters
  • Outdoor Plant Stands
  • Outdoor Lanterns
  • Landscape Lighting
  • Pathway Lights
  • Outdoor Pillows
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
Better Homes & Gardens

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

View image

19 Beautiful Plants That Rabbits Don't Like
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.