Impatiens are popular flowering annuals, valued for their vibrant colors and ability to thrive in shaded areas. They are a common sight in flower beds and containers. Homeowners frequently worry whether these plants are a target for browsing rabbits that inhabit their yards. This article examines the interaction between rabbits and impatiens, including their palatability, health effects, and methods for protecting your garden.
Impatiens in the Rabbit Diet
Rabbits will eat impatiens, even though the plant is often labeled as “rabbit-resistant.” Impatiens, particularly the common Impatiens walleriana, are not a primary food source, but rabbits are opportunistic feeders. They target these flowers when preferred forage, such as tender grasses and clover, becomes scarce during dry spells or late season.
A rabbit’s age and experience influence foraging behavior. Young rabbits often sample and consume a wider variety of garden plants, including impatiens, before learning which plants are unpalatable. When rabbits feed on impatiens, they make clean, angled cuts on the stems, which distinguishes the damage from the ragged tears left by deer. If impatiens are readily available, they can suffer significant damage quickly.
Are Impatiens Toxic to Rabbits?
Impatiens are not considered highly toxic to rabbits. Both the common Impatiens walleriana and New Guinea Impatiens contain compounds that make them unpalatable and can lead to mild physiological effects if consumed. Impatiens have a bitter taste that acts as a natural deterrent, often causing rabbits to take only a few exploratory bites before moving on.
If a rabbit consumes a larger quantity, the plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. New Guinea Impatiens contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the rabbit’s mouth and digestive tract. While the plant is not fatal, preventing ingestion is best as it can cause an unpleasant experience for the animal.
Effective Strategies for Deterring Rabbits
The most reliable method for protecting impatiens from rabbits involves physical barriers. Installing a fence around the planting area is highly effective, but it must be properly constructed to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath. The fence should be 18 to 24 inches high, made of fine mesh chicken wire or hardware cloth with openings no larger than one inch. To prevent tunneling, the bottom edge of the fence should be buried six inches into the ground, or bent outward into an “L” shape and covered with soil.
Sensory deterrents offer a secondary layer of protection by working through taste or smell to make the plants less appealing. Commercial repellents often use putrescent whole-egg solids or capsaicin (hot pepper), which are sprayed directly onto the foliage to create an unpleasant taste. Reapplication is necessary after rain or new plant growth to maintain effectiveness. Other options include spreading strong-smelling substances like dried blood meal or planting aromatic herbs like rosemary and mint nearby, as rabbits avoid these pungent odors. Combining a physical barrier with a sensory repellent usually yields the best results.