Geranium is the common name for the popular annual flowering plants, scientifically classified as Pelargonium species. While rabbits graze widely, these plants are not a preferred food source, but they are not immune to rabbit damage, particularly when other food is scarce. Understanding the relationship involves looking at the animals’ foraging habits and the plant’s natural defenses.
Rabbit Preferences and Geranium Palatability
Rabbits are selective eaters, preferring plants with smooth, tender, and thin leaves, which makes plants like lettuce and young sprouts particularly vulnerable. Geraniums, or Pelargoniums, possess characteristics that deter most foraging rabbits. The leaves are often thick, coarse, and sometimes have a fuzzy texture, which rabbits generally find unappealing.
The primary deterrent is the strong, distinctive aroma released when the leaves are bitten or crushed. This scent comes from the essential oils contained within the plant tissue, signaling to the rabbit that the plant is not a desirable food source.
Despite these natural deterrents, a rabbit may still consume geraniums under certain circumstances. Young, inexperienced rabbits are less discerning about their food choices than adults. During periods of drought or when preferred weeds are unavailable, rabbits will resort to eating less palatable plants like geraniums out of desperation. This consumption is usually limited to nibbling and sampling rather than consuming the entire plant.
The Toxicity Profile of Geraniums for Rabbits
The compounds that make geraniums unappealing are also what make the plant chemically toxic. True geraniums (Pelargonium species) contain toxic principles, primarily the monoterpene alcohols geraniol and linalool. These compounds are responsible for the plant’s fragrant oil and act as a toxin when ingested by herbivores.
Ingestion of the leaves or stems can lead to significant gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a noticeable loss of appetite. The rabbit may also exhibit lethargy or signs of depression.
It is important to note that the term “geranium” sometimes refers to the non-toxic perennial species known as hardy cranesbill (Geranium genus), which lack these toxic essential oils. However, the common annual garden geranium is the Pelargonium species, which is toxic. While a small nibble is unlikely to cause severe illness, the adverse reaction often stops the rabbit from consuming a lethal dose.
Strategies for Protecting Your Plants
Gardeners experiencing rabbit damage to their geraniums have several effective options for plant protection. Physical barriers are the most reliable method for preventing rabbit access. A fence constructed from chicken wire or hardware cloth with a small mesh size, ideally one inch or less, can effectively exclude rabbits.
To prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath the barrier, the fencing material should be buried at least six inches below the soil line. The bottom edge should be bent outward away from the planting area to discourage digging attempts. For protecting individual plants, cylinders or cages made from the same fine-mesh material can be secured around the base of the plants.
Scent-based and taste-based repellents can be used as a secondary line of defense. Commercial repellents often contain ingredients that create a strong odor or foul taste, such as putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin, which are safe but highly unappealing to rabbits. These must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain or watering, to maintain their effectiveness.
Cultural controls also help by making the area less inviting to rabbits. Removing dense brush piles, tall weeds, and low-growing ground cover near your garden eliminates potential hiding spots and nesting areas. Combining these methods, such as installing a perimeter fence and using a taste-repellent on the plants nearest the fence line, provides a multi-layered and humane approach to protecting your geraniums.