31 Plants That'll Keep Rabbits Out of Your Yard

Are rabbits turning your garden into an all-you-can-eat buffet? You’re not alone. Luckily, there’s a simple, natural solution: choosing plants that rabbits naturally dislike.

I’ve gathered 33 beautiful, fragrant, and easy-to-grow plants that effectively discourage rabbits, letting your garden thrive without unwanted nibblers.

Let’s dive into the 31 best rabbit-repellent plants!

Table of Contents show

1. Marigolds (Top 5 Most Effective, Great All-Around Pest Deterrent)

Marigolds brighten any garden with cheerful blooms, but rabbits can’t stand their strong, spicy scent.

Plant these bright sentinels as borders to guard your prized plants.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Repels: Rabbits, aphids, mosquitoes
Grow in: Garden borders, containers, vegetable beds

2. Lavender (Top 5 Most Effective)

***Rabbits don’t like it. Cat’s, no big deal…***

Lavender’s soothing fragrance is beloved by gardeners but overwhelming to rabbits. A lovely perennial, lavender creates attractive borders that rabbits actively avoid.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer, mosquitoes
Grow in: Borders, flowerbeds, pathways

3. Daffodils (Top 5 Most Effective)

Daffodils announce spring’s arrival beautifully, yet their bulbs contain toxins that rabbits instinctively avoid.

They’re an easy-care option to protect your garden naturally.

Attracts: Pollinators (early bees)
Repels: Rabbits, deer, squirrels
Grow in: Borders, flowerbeds, containers

4. Catnip (Top 5 Most Effective)

Catnip delights cats but strongly deters rabbits with its minty aroma. Low-maintenance and vigorous, it’s ideal for protecting your plants from unwanted visitors.

Attracts: Cats, bees
Repels: Rabbits, mosquitoes
Grow in: Herb gardens, borders, containers

5. Bee Balm (Top 5 Most Effective)

Bee Balm features striking, vibrant blooms beloved by pollinators but disliked by rabbits. Its unique fragrance serves as an effective deterrent.

Attracts: Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders, herb gardens

6. Rosemary

Rosemary’s potent aroma, adored by cooks, is unappealing to rabbits. Its evergreen nature provides continuous protection year-round.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer, pests
Grow in: Containers, herb gardens, borders

7. Foxglove

Foxglove offers dramatic spikes of flowers but contains toxins rabbits naturally avoid. It provides beauty and protection simultaneously.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, cottage gardens, borders

8. Sage

With velvety, aromatic leaves, sage is excellent at repelling rabbits. This hardy herb adds practical protection to any garden bed.

Attracts: Bees, pollinators
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Herb gardens, containers, borders

9. Mint (excellent multi-pest deterrent)

Mint is easy-growing, aromatic, and highly effective at keeping rabbits away. Plant it in containers to manage its enthusiastic growth.

Attracts: Bees, beneficial insects
Repels: Rabbits, ants, rodents
Grow in: Containers, herb gardens, edges

10. Thyme

Thyme offers culinary delight and natural rabbit deterrence. Its aromatic foliage is both ornamental and practical.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer, pests
Grow in: Herb gardens, pathways, rock gardens

11. Snapdragon

Snapdragons have brightly colored blooms and a bitter taste rabbits find unpleasant. Ideal for colorful, rabbit-resistant flowerbeds.

Attracts: Bees, hummingbirds
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, containers, borders

12. Basil (excellent multi-pest deterrent)

Basil’s fragrant leaves naturally repel rabbits. Easy to grow, it doubles as a tasty herb and garden protector.

Attracts: Bees, beneficial insects
Repels: Rabbits, mosquitoes, aphids
Grow in: Herb gardens, containers

13. Allium

Alliums’ bold, globe-like flowers and strong onion scent keep rabbits away, adding striking beauty with practical defense.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Borders, flowerbeds, ornamental gardens

14. Oregano

This flavorful culinary herb has a pungent aroma that rabbits dislike. A hardy plant that safeguards your garden effortlessly.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, pests
Grow in: Herb gardens, borders, containers

15. Lantana

Lantana’s vibrant flowers and distinctive scent discourage rabbits, making it a charming yet functional garden addition.

Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Containers, borders, garden beds

16. Yarrow

Yarrow’s feathery foliage emits a fragrance rabbits avoid. Easy to grow and attractive, it provides reliable protection.

Attracts: Pollinators, beneficial insects
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders, wildflower gardens

17. Russian Sage

Russian sage combines airy, lavender blooms with aromatic leaves that rabbits find unpleasant, offering gentle yet effective protection.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Borders, cottage gardens, xeriscapes

18. Globe Thistle

Its unusual, spiky flowers discourage rabbits while providing visual interest. Ideal for dramatic, rabbit-free garden areas.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Borders, perennial gardens

19. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bushes invite pollinators but deter rabbits with their tough texture. They’re practical and visually appealing garden plants.

Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Shrub borders, wildlife gardens

20. Fennel

Fennel’s aromatic foliage repels rabbits effectively. It’s an easy addition to herb gardens for protection and flavor.

Attracts: Butterflies, beneficial insects
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Herb gardens, vegetable gardens

21. Periwinkle

Periwinkle’s glossy leaves and bitter taste naturally discourage rabbits. It’s perfect for groundcover that doubles as protection.

Attracts: Butterflies
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Groundcover, shaded gardens

22. Black-eyed Susan

These cheerful blooms are unappealing to rabbits due to their rough foliage. Add beauty without attracting pests.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, wildflower gardens

23. Ageratum

Ageratum’s fluffy, colorful flowers and unique scent deter rabbits naturally, making it ideal for decorative protection.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Containers, borders

24. Coreopsis

Coreopsis’ cheerful flowers and bitter taste keep rabbits away, creating a bright yet practical garden choice.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders

25. Salvia

Salvia offers vibrant spikes of flowers that rabbits typically avoid due to their aromatic leaves. This hardy perennial adds bright, lasting color while providing excellent garden defense.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders, cottage gardens

26. Verbena

Verbena’s clusters of delicate, fragrant blooms deter rabbits naturally. Perfect for adding graceful beauty while quietly protecting your garden space.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Repels: Rabbits
Grow in: Containers, flowerbeds, hanging baskets

27. Gaillardia

Gaillardia, also called blanket flower, boasts bright daisy-like blooms and coarse foliage rabbits dislike. Its vibrant flowers thrive with minimal care, offering both color and defense.

Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders, wildflower gardens

28. Columbine

Columbine enchants gardeners with whimsical, bell-shaped flowers but deters rabbits due to its mildly toxic properties. This elegant perennial offers charm and gentle protection.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Shaded beds, woodland gardens, borders

29. Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart features unique heart-shaped blooms with mildly toxic compounds rabbits avoid. This graceful plant thrives in shady areas, combining beauty with passive rabbit deterrence.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Shade gardens, borders, woodland edges

30. Ferns

Ferns add lush greenery and timeless elegance, but their tough texture and bitter flavor repel rabbits effectively. Ideal for shady spaces needing ground cover and protection.

Attracts: Beneficial insects (ladybugs)
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Shade gardens, borders, under trees

31. Peony

Peonies offer lush, fragrant blooms with tough stems that rabbits tend to bypass. These beloved perennials bring classic beauty to gardens while naturally deterring unwanted visitors.

Attracts: Bees, ants (beneficial garden helpers)
Repels: Rabbits, deer
Grow in: Flowerbeds, borders, cottage gardens

32. Geranium

Geranium’s colorful blooms and scented leaves naturally deter rabbits. It’s attractive, versatile, and useful for garden protection.

Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Repels: Rabbits, mosquitoes
Grow in: Containers, borders, window boxes

33. Garlic (excellent multi-pest deterrent)

Garlic’s distinctive aroma repels rabbits, providing culinary uses along with garden protection. An easy-to-grow solution.

Attracts: Beneficial insects
Repels: Rabbits, aphids, deer
Grow in: Vegetable beds, borders

These 33 plants give you natural, beautiful, and effective ways to keep rabbits away—creating a vibrant, thriving garden you’ll enjoy without worry.