Bunny proof your home and garden with this must-have list of the top 20 plants that are completely safe and even beneficial for pet rabbits to nibble on! Rabbit owners need to be aware of toxic plants that can cause everything from tummy troubles to death. But not all common plants are dangerous if your fluffy friend takes a nibble. Discover which pretty flowering plants, sweet herbs, leafy greens and more you can add to your rabbit’s space worry-free. Let your bunny happily munch on daisies, violets, clover and other vet-approved edibles. Give your pet the joy of safe foraging with these 20 paw-some plants that are ideal for rabbits!
How worried should you be about poisonous plants?
As a rabbit owner, you want to make sure your furry friend stays safe and healthy. One potential danger comes from plants that are poisonous to rabbits. While many common garden plants are perfectly fine for rabbits, there are some that can cause anything from mild stomach upset to death if ingested by a rabbit.
It's important to bunny-proof any area where your rabbit has access and remove any potentially toxic plants. Rabbits love to nibble and chew, so they may naturally be drawn to munching on an enticing plant. But some plants contain compounds that are dangerous for rabbits when eaten.
Some common poisonous plants include lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, foxgloves, oleander, ivy, daffodils and morning glories. Make sure your rabbit can't access any of these plants in your home or yard. Even a small amount can be extremely harmful.
If you suspect your rabbit has eaten something toxic, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Bring along a sample of the plant if possible so the vet can identify it. Quick treatment is essential. Signs of plant poisoning in rabbits include drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, low energy, seizures and death.
While there are dozens of plants that can be hazardous for rabbits, the good news is there are also many perfectly safe options. Focus on providing your bunny with lots of rabbit-friendly vegetation to enjoy. With a little planning, you can keep your furry friend happy and healthy while avoiding any risks from poisonous plants.
Plants that are safe for rabbits
When it comes to picking vegetation, flowers and plants that are safe for pet rabbits, make sure you know which options can be nibbled without risk. Here are 20 great plants that all bunny owners should know about:
1. Roses
Roses are not only beautiful additions to any rabbit habitat, but they are also totally edible for bunnies. Rabbits enjoy nibbling on both the petals and the leaves. Just be sure there are no pesticides or other chemicals on them. Grow your own roses or purchase some from a garden store. Remove the thorns before letting your rabbit munch away.
2. Daisies
With their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers, daisies are a cheery choice for indoors or outside. Rabbits find the leaves and flowers of daisies perfect for eating. Mini daisy varieties fit nicely into small living spaces if you want to grow some fresh daisies for your bun.
3. Dandelions
You may think of dandelions as pesky weeds in your yard, but your rabbit sees them as a delicious, nutritious snack! Rabbits will happily nibble on the bright yellow flowers and green leaves of dandelions. They are high in vitamin A, calcium and potassium too. So don't pull them – let your bunny enjoy!
4. Sunflowers
The big, beautiful flowers of the sunflower plant make it a fun addition to a rabbit's environment. Rabbits can safely eat the seeds, leaves and petals of a sunflower. Just be sure there are no pesticides or other chemicals present. Sunflower seeds also make a nice supplemental treat for rabbits.
5. Mints
Cool and aromatic, mint comes in lots of tempting varieties that are safe for rabbits. Peppermint, spearmint and catnip are especially popular with bunnies. The leaves and stems have a fresh flavor rabbits love. Grow mint in pots indoors or outside where rabbits can nibble on it freely.
6. Bell flowers
With their bell-like shape and pretty colors, bell flowers include lovely options like foxglove, harebell, campanula and fuchsia. Rabbits enjoy munching on their petals and leaves. Just be very careful foxglove is completely avoided, as this specific bell flower varietal is highly toxic to rabbits.
7. Willow
The willow tree is a great source of rabbit-safe branches, twigs and leaves. Rabbits love nibbling on the bark of willow branches. Provide them branches from non-toxic willow varieties to chew on. This satisfies their natural urge to gnaw while wearing down their ever-growing teeth.
8. Jasmine
With its sweet floral scent and pretty white blossoms, jasmine is a lovely addition to a rabbit's space. Rabbits will happily nibble on jasmine flowers, leaves and stems. Some types of jasmine grow as vines, making a nice climbing accent in an outdoor hutch. Just don't let rabbits eat jasmine plant roots.
9. Nasturtium
With round leaves and brightly colored edible flowers, nasturtium is one of the most popular rabbit-safe plants. All parts of nasturtium are non-toxic for bunnies, including the trailing stems, leaves, buds and blossoms. Plant some nasturtiums in pots or bordering your rabbit's play area.
10. Hollyhock
Tall-growing hollyhock has big ruffled flowers that rabbits find irresistible. The blossoms come in colors like white, pink, yellow, orange and red. Rabbits enjoy nibbling both the flower petals and leaves of hollyhock. These handsome old-fashioned garden flowers thrive in the ground or in large pots.
11. Cotton
You may be surprised to learn rabbits can nibble on cotton plant parts! The leaves, blooms, stems, branches and bark of the cotton plant are all rabbit-safe. Provide your pet bunny with untreated cotton branches, twigs and leaves to enjoy as part of a varied diet. Just avoid the roots and any pesticide-treated cotton plant parts.
12. Pot marigolds
With bold flowers in shades of red, orange, gold and yellow, pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis) make a pretty, edible addition to a rabbit habitat. Rabbits enjoy nibbling on the bright colorful blossoms, leaves and stems. The flowers are also edible for humans in salads! Be sure to grow your own pesticide-free pot marigolds for bunnies.
13. Lavender
Fragrant lavender has long been a favorite rabbit-safe herb. Rabbits enjoy munching on the pretty purple flowers and slender grey-green leaves. The aromatic scent seems to interest bunnies too. For indoor rabbits, potted lavender is an ideal choice. Outdoors, lavender thrives in pollinator-friendly herb gardens.
14. Nettle
Though the sting of nettle plants deters humans, rabbits don't mind at all! Rabbits can safely nibble on nettle leaves, stems and flowers without any adverse effects. Nettle has high levels of vitamins and minerals too. Pick young nettle tops and leaves for your bunny to enjoy. Use gloves when handling nettles to avoid getting stung.
15. Chamomile
Delicate chamomile blossoms have a mild apple-like flavor rabbits enjoy. Both the flowers and leaves of chamomile are perfectly safe for rabbits to nibble on. In fact, pet owners sometimes brew a mild chamomile tea using the dried flowers to soothe an anxious or upset rabbit's digestion. Let your bunny nibble some fresh chamomile for a soothing treat.
16. Clover
Rabbits naturally love clover, and it's quite healthy for them too! The leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of clover plants are all edible for bunnies. Rabbits enjoy foraging on the sweet-tasting low-growing clover. White clover and red clover both make great additions to any outdoor rabbit habitat. Just be sure clover hasn't been treated with herbicide.
17. Grass
What's a rabbit without some fresh, leafy grass to munch on? Rabbits thrive when they can nibble on grass often. Any all-natural pesticide-free grasses are safe for rabbits. Fescue, ryegrass, timothy and oat grasses are top choices. For indoor bunnies, provide trays of clean grass frequently for fiber and enrichment. Outdoor rabbits will naturally graze on grass in their enclosure.
18. Violets
Cheerful little violets can blossom indoors or outside, and rabbits love nibbling on their dainty flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The African violet is a popular houseplant choice, while English violets and wild violets thrive in the yard. Just be sure the violets have not been treated with any chemicals before offering them to your bunny.
19. Pansies
Pansies are a wonderful edible flowering plant to grow for your pet rabbit. Rabbits can safely snack on the colorful flowers, leaves and stems of pansies. Their mild, fresh flavor seems to appeal to bunny appetites. Pansies come in many gorgeous colors and patterns, bringing beauty wherever they grow. Choose pesticide-free pansies for optimal bunny health.
20. Fuschia
Though highly toxic to cats, hanging fuschia baskets are perfectly rabbit-friendly. Rabbits love nibbling on the showy tubular flowers and dainty leaves. Various fuschia hybrids display stunning colors like magenta, purple, red, pink, orange and white. Grow some cascading fuschia in hanging pots for your bunny to enjoy inside or on a protected outdoor patio.
Conclusion
When providing plants for your pet rabbit, it's important to choose vegetation you know is totally safe. While many common garden plants can be quite toxic for rabbits, there are also lots of great options that are ideal for rabbit nibbling. Focus on providing bunny-friendly plants like roses, daisies, dandelions, mints and clover. Avoid any plants that could pose a risk to your rabbit's health. With the right selection, you can keep your furry friend happy while creating a beautiful living environment.