Echinacea, often known as the coneflower, is a popular, brightly colored perennial found in many home gardens and natural landscapes. These hardy flowers are prized for their long blooming season and ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. The desire to grow this plant often conflicts with the presence of local wildlife, particularly rabbits, which are known to browse on a wide variety of vegetation. Gardeners frequently find themselves asking whether their beautiful coneflowers will become a target for these common herbivores.
Rabbit Preference for Echinacea
The question of whether rabbits eat Echinacea receives a mixed answer, largely dependent on the rabbit’s available food choices and the plant’s maturity. Many sources list coneflower as “rabbit resistant,” partly due to the slight prickliness of the mature central cone and the aromatic nature of some varieties. However, “resistant” does not mean immune, especially when other, more palatable food is scarce.
Rabbits are opportunistic foragers, and their diet can shift significantly during periods of drought, winter, or high population density. When preferred foods are unavailable, they will readily consume plants they would normally avoid, including Echinacea. They show a particular preference for the new, tender growth and young foliage, often nipping newly emerging seedlings or young transplants down to the ground.
When consuming the plant, rabbits typically target the fresh leaves and stems, especially in the spring. They may also eat the petals and flower heads, which can be devastating to a garden display. Established coneflowers are more likely to survive a rabbit encounter than newly planted ones, as the mature, tougher parts of the plant and the deep roots are generally left alone.
Toxicity and Safety Concerns
The good news for gardeners and those concerned about wild rabbit health is that Echinacea is generally considered non-toxic to rabbits and other mammals. In fact, many commercial rabbit-specific dried forage mixes contain Echinacea leaves and stems as a supplement. The plant is well-known in herbal medicine for its various compounds, which are often used to support the immune system in humans and animals.
While not poisonous, excessive consumption of any single plant material can potentially cause mild digestive upset in a rabbit. A sudden large intake of fresh Echinacea, which contains varying fiber content compared to a rabbit’s typical hay-based diet, might lead to temporary diarrhea or soft stools. This is a reaction to a dietary change, not a lethal hazard from a toxin within the plant.
Scientific studies have even explored feeding Echinacea extracts to growing rabbits, noting positive outcomes such as an improved growth rate and a reduction in mortality. Therefore, the occasional nibbling on garden coneflowers does not pose a significant threat to their overall well-being.
Strategies for Garden Protection
Protecting Echinacea from rabbits relies on a combination of physical exclusion and making the plant less appealing. The most consistently effective method is installing a physical barrier, which prevents rabbits from accessing the plants entirely.
A fence constructed from chicken wire or hardware cloth should have a mesh size of one inch or less to prevent rabbits from squeezing through. To stop rabbits from digging underneath, the barrier needs to be at least six inches deep into the soil and bent outward at a 90-degree angle to create an apron. The fence height should be at least two feet tall, as rabbits are capable of jumping over lower obstacles. For individual, newly planted Echinacea, a simple wire cloche can protect the vulnerable young growth until the plant becomes established.
Repellents offer a secondary defense that works by creating a repulsive odor or taste. Commercial rabbit repellents, often containing ingredients like putrefied egg solids, are available and can be applied directly to the foliage. Natural deterrents, such as blood meal or strong-smelling herbs like rosemary, mint, or marigolds planted nearby, can also make the area less attractive. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain or watering, to maintain effectiveness against persistent garden visitors.