Do Rabbits Eat Coleus? And How to Protect Your Plants

Coleus plants, with their brightly colored leaves, are a favorite for adding visual interest to gardens. Their widespread use leads many gardeners to question their vulnerability to local wildlife, particularly common visitors like rabbits.

Coleus as a Food Source for Rabbits

Rabbits will eat coleus, but it is not a preferred food source for them. This reluctance is due to essential oils in the plant’s leaves, which can be unpalatable. These compounds give the plant a distinct odor and taste that rabbits typically avoid, acting as a natural deterrent.

Despite this defense, a hungry rabbit is not a picky one. When desirable vegetation is scarce, like in early spring or during drought, rabbits may turn to coleus out of necessity. Young coleus plants are particularly susceptible as their chemical defenses are less potent. Therefore, coleus is considered rabbit-resistant, but not rabbit-proof.

Signs of Rabbit Damage on Coleus

Identifying rabbit damage on coleus plants is straightforward. Rabbits have incisors that create a distinct, clean cut on plant stems and leaves. The damage often appears as if someone snipped the plant with sharp scissors, leaving a tidy, 45-degree angle on the remaining stem.

You will find this damage on the lower portions of the plant, as rabbits feed from the ground up, targeting growth less than two feet high. Another clear indicator is the presence of their droppings nearby. Rabbit pellets are small, round, and hard, and are often left scattered around the feeding area. This contrasts with deer damage, which leaves ragged edges, or insect damage, which manifests as holes or skeletonized leaves.

How to Protect Coleus from Rabbits

The most effective method for safeguarding coleus from rabbits is creating a physical barrier. A fence made of chicken wire with a mesh size of one inch or smaller is an excellent preventative measure. The fence should be at least two feet high to prevent rabbits from jumping over it and buried about six inches deep to stop them from digging.

Applying repellents can also deter rabbits. Commercial repellents often use scents and tastes that rabbits find offensive, such as dried blood or capsaicin. Homemade sprays using garlic or cayenne pepper can offer similar protection but must be reapplied frequently, especially after it rains or following heavy dew.

Modifying the area around your coleus can make it less inviting for rabbits. Rabbits are prey animals and prefer to stay close to cover, avoiding open spaces where they are exposed. Removing nearby brush piles, tall grass, and dense weeds eliminates the hiding spots they rely on, encouraging them to forage in safer areas.