Rabbits may be adorable, but they can be relentless garden grazers. If you’ve struggled to keep young plants from becoming a midnight snack, you’re not alone. Fortunately, many rabbit-resistant native plants naturally deter browsing with strong fragrances, bitter sap, or tough textures.
While no plant is entirely rabbit-proof, planting a variety of these less-palatable natives can help you enjoy a thriving landscape without the frustration of constant damage.
Top Rabbit-Resistant Native Plants for Midwest Gardens
🌼 Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot is one of the best rabbit-resistant native perennials for Midwest gardens. Its fragrant foliage naturally deters rabbits, while the lavender blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Perfect for sunny borders or prairie-style plantings.
🌼 Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
This hardy native wildflower is an early-season showstopper. Its delicate red-and-yellow blooms provide nectar for hummingbirds and early pollinators — all while staying off the rabbit menu. A great choice for woodland edges or partial-shade gardens.
🌼 Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)
With flower heads that burst like fireworks in midsummer, nodding wild onion adds texture and charm to your native garden. Its onion-scented foliage and upright form make it a natural rabbit deterrent and a great choice for borders and rock gardens.
🌼 Kalm's St. Johnswort (Hypericum kalmianum)
This compact native shrub offers brilliant yellow flowers in summer and a tidy shape year-round. It’s an excellent low-maintenance, rabbit-resistant shrub for Midwest landscapes, perfect for replacing non-native foundation plants or filling small garden spaces.
🌼 Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum)
Prairie onion is another pollinator magnet with fragrant, globe-shaped pink blooms. Its strong onion aroma keeps rabbits away, making it a reliable addition to pollinator-friendly, rabbit-proof gardens.
🌼 Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra)
If you have a wet area, rain garden, or low spot in your yard, Queen of the Prairie is a must-have. Its fluffy cotton candy-pink blooms make a dramatic statement, and rabbits rarely bother it — a perfect choice for moisture-loving, deer- and rabbit-resistant gardens.
🌼 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
No Midwest native garden is complete without black-eyed Susans. These cheerful golden flowers provide months of color, attract countless pollinators, and are usually left alone by rabbits. Excellent for mass plantings or mixed borders.
Tips for Managing Rabbits in Native Plant Gardens
- Protect Young Plants: Even rabbit-resistant species may be vulnerable when small. Use cages or fencing until they’re established.
- Plant in Groups: Dense plantings make it harder for rabbits to focus on individual seedlings.
- Diversify Your Garden: A wide mix of natives ensures that if some plants are nibbled, others will thrive.
Why Choose Rabbit-Resistant Native Plants?
- Lower maintenance and less replanting
- Support for pollinators and birds
- Natural resilience to local pests and climate
Take back your garden. Browse our native seed mixes and plants that resist browsing while boosting biodiversity. Our team can help you design a landscape that rabbits avoid — and pollinators flock to.