Do Rabbits Eat Geraniums?

Rabbit-Resistant Geraniums

• Geraniums, whose U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones depend on species, come in annual and hardy types. Depending on the variety, hardy geraniums are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Hardy geraniums (Geranium spp.) will withstand temperatures down to -50 degrees Fahrenheit and are therefore guaranteed to survive winters in cooler climates. They are also going to survive rabbits, which usually avoid hardy geraniums due to the slightly aromatic leaves and the fuzzy texture, both characteristics rabbits dislike. The plants commonly called geraniums are members of a different genus, Pelargonium. One, the zonal geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum), winter hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11 is resistant to rabbits, according to Iowa State University.

Signs of Rabbit Damage

• If your plants are disappearing, check for several signs that rabbits are to blame. Unlike deer, who leave jagged edges on stems when they break off flowers and leaves by using a twisting motion with their teeth, rabbits clip off cleanly. Their teeth are very sharp, and leave a 45-degree-angle cut that looks like it might have been created by clippers or shears. They also do not cause damage above about 2 feet in height.

Rabbits in the Garden

• Although rabbits will eat almost anything if food is scarce and they are hungry, they tend to have preferences. The difficulty lies in the fact that their preferences often change from place to place, so there are no hard and fast rules about what they dislike. Hardy geraniums, however, seem to generally withstand them. In order to plant and protect more delicate plants, you can surround them with unpalatable plants like geraniums.

Managing Rabbits

• If you cannot stop rabbits from eating your plants no matter what, you should try eliminating habitat near your home. Rabbits may use brush piles, hedges, brambles or other debris areas as shelter, and removing them may cause them to relocate. You can also try to exclude them from the garden using fencing. Wood or wire fences should extend under the soil to prevent the rabbits from digging their way in. You can also use electric fencing, which is a permanent fixture, or electric netting, which you can move from place to place as needed.