The conflict between a gardener’s desire for vibrant petunias and the grazing habits of local wildlife is a common spring and summer frustration. These colorful, low-growing annuals are popular choices for flower beds and containers, making them easily accessible targets. Understanding the relationship between these plants and local rabbit species is the first step toward effective garden management. Protecting these beautiful blooms requires understanding a rabbit’s feeding motivations and the practical solutions available to homeowners.
Petunias and Rabbits: The Direct Answer
The direct answer to whether rabbits eat petunias is yes, they can, but these flowers are generally low on their list of preferred foods. Petunias are not toxic, but they possess a slightly bitter taste and a hairy, sticky texture on their stems and leaves that many herbivores find unappealing. Rabbits will usually bypass plants with these characteristics if more palatable options are available nearby.
However, the risk of damage increases significantly during periods of food scarcity, often called “desperation eating.” During late winter or times of drought, a rabbit’s feeding selection broadens considerably. In these stressful periods, the succulent petals and low-growing nature of petunias make them an easy source of moisture and calories. The larger grandiflora varieties are often the first parts to be sampled.
Petunias are not a nutritional staple, and consuming large quantities may lead to mild digestive upset. The damage typically involves clean, angled cuts to the stems and the complete removal of flower buds and open blooms. This behavior is opportunistic, driven by proximity and the absence of better forage.
Understanding Rabbit Dietary Preferences
Wild rabbits are herbivores whose diets are primarily composed of high-fiber, coarse vegetation like grasses, clover, and various weeds. This diet is necessary to maintain their digestive health and grind down their continuously growing teeth. They are central-place foragers, meaning they tend to graze close to protective cover, rarely venturing far from brush piles or dense vegetation.
Their foraging activity peaks during dawn and dusk, when the risk from predators is lower. Rabbits seek out young, tender growth because it offers the highest concentration of protein and moisture. Damage caused by rabbits is distinct, characterized by a clean, 45-degree cut on the stems of plants, almost as if done with shears. This differs from deer damage, which leaves a ragged tear due to the lack of lower incisor teeth.
Seasonal availability drives their choices. In spring and summer, they favor lush greenery, but in fall and winter, their diet shifts to bark, twigs, and dormant plant material. The presence of small, round, pea-sized droppings scattered near the damaged plants also serves as a clear indication of a rabbit’s presence.
Strategies for Protecting Petunias
The most reliable method for protecting petunias involves physical barriers that prevent rabbits from accessing the plants. A low-cost, effective solution is to install a wire mesh fence, such as chicken wire or hardware cloth, around the vulnerable area. The barrier should be at least 24 inches high, and the mesh size should be no larger than one inch.
To prevent burrowing, the bottom edge should be bent outward into an L-shape and buried three to six inches deep. For individual plants or small groupings, protective wire cages can be placed directly over the petunias. Alternatively, raising plants in containers or hanging baskets well off the ground is a simple way to remove them from a rabbit’s easy reach.
Chemical deterrents work by taste or scent, making the plant immediately unappealing without causing harm. Products containing putrescent egg solids, which mimic the smell of a decaying animal, or capsaicin can be sprayed directly onto the foliage. These must be reapplied frequently, especially after rainfall or new growth, to maintain effectiveness. Modifying the habitat by removing nearby brush piles or low-lying shrubs eliminates the necessary cover rabbits rely on for safety while feeding.