Marigolds may easily be one of my favorite flowers because of their natural insect repellent properties.
I plant marigolds all around our gardens to help keep unwanted guests from nibbling on ripening fruits and veggies, and sometimes offer the bright blooms to our bunnies.
Yes, mature rabbits can eat marigold plants.
But be cautious: there are certain variations that are toxic and must never be offered to your rabbits!
Marigolds For Rabbits: Variety Matters
Marigolds are plants in the Aster family and have the typical yellow-orange blooms.
There are over 50 different varieties of marigolds that have developed and the most secure option to offer your rabbits is the common marigold.
The common marigold is called by many names, including:
- Pot marigold
- Mary’s gold
- Scotch marigold
- Ruddles
But you can always be sure by verifying the scientific name: Calendula officinalis.
Marigold Varieties Toxic to Rabbits
There are some marigold varieties that can cause gastrointestinal disruption and pain in rabbits if ingested.
All three of these varieties must be avoided!
- March marigold
- French marigold
- African marigold
NEVER feed your rabbits these types of marigolds and keep them clearly marked so as not to confuse them with edible flowers.
Do Rabbits Like Marigolds
As natural insect repellants, you can guess that marigolds don’t give off the sweetest of smells.
I find their scent mildly irritating and I’m not prone to stick my nose in a bushel of marigolds!
In addition, the flower is quite bitter… quite the opposite of its distant cousin chamomile.
As such, when it comes to marigolds, rabbits can be a bit picky.
For example, we have a pair of bunnies that enjoy eating one marigold flower head every now and then, but all our other rabbits refuse to nibble on this flower.
Marigolds: Fast Growing Plants That Rabbits Can Eat
One of the best aspects of marigolds is that they are quite fast growing and although they are annuals, can come back from seed in the same place year after year.
This is why I don’t worry too much if I see our homestead and or wild rabbits nibbling on the marigold flowers around our garden.
Marigolds are fast growing plants that rabbits can eat!
Do Marigolds Keep Rabbits Away
Because of their strong scent and bitter flavor, marigolds can be an effective rabbit deterrent, although if they can keep a rabbit away completely is dependent on the individual bunny itself.
Can Rabbits Eat Marigold Flowers
Yes, adult rabbits can nibble on common marigold flowers if they so choose without cause for alarm.
In fact, the bright pom pom heads of this plant will be the first thing that attracts your bunnies to this flower.
How To Keep Rabbits From Eating Marigolds
If your rabbit likes marigolds and is eating lots of the flower heads, the best way to keep rabbits from eating marigolds is to limit their access to the flowers.
This might mean fencing off the plants or changing the dimensions of the outdoor range that your rabbits can roam.
However, if a wild rabbit is eating your marigolds, the following tips may help keep them from your bright blossoms:
- Spread human hair clippings around the plants; unknown human scent will deter wild rabbits.
- Plant onions in the areas you want to be rabbit free; rabbits don’t like the scent of onions.
- Grow other bitter or strongly aromatic plants around your marigolds; rabbits usually find these types of plants unappealing.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Bunnies Eat Marigolds
What Wild Plants Can Rabbits Eat?
As natural grazers, there are many wild plants that rabbits can eat. Some of the most common include: grasses, dandelions, and clover.
What Plants Are Poisonous To Rabbits?
Besides the three varieties of marigolds there are a number of other plants that are poisonous to rabbits; to learn more about these dangerous plats read our post Are Lilies Poisonous To Rabbits?
Can Rabbits Eat Chamomile Flowers?
Like marigold, another common herb garden plant is chamomile.
Chamomile is a great treat option for mature rabbits as it is filled with health boosting natural compounds. Learn more about chamomile for rabbits here.
To get an eye for the many different types of marigolds,
check out this short informational video!
Final Thoughts On Can Rabbits Eat Marigolds
Before offering any plant or flower to your bunnies, confirm that it is a rabbit safe option, especially when toxic variations exist, such as with the marigolds.
And if you find yourself at a loss for rabbit safe herb and flower options, check out The Best Herbs For Rabbits, you may be surprised at the different greens you can offer your bunny!