Do Rabbits Eat Celosia? (What To Do!)

It doesn’t matter how soft-hearted you are; chances are that you will get upset if you discover that some wild rabbits have been eating your plants or flowers. However, it’s not always clear what flower is safe from foraging. 

If you planted celosia in your garden, you may be wondering if it’s okay to leave it in the open when you have some wild rabbits or deer around. So, do rabbits eat celosia?

Rabbits typically eat celosia because they are tender and taste nice. So, if you have celosia planted out in the open, you should take proactive steps to protect them from possible damage.

Is Celosia Rabbit Resistant?

Celosia is neither rabbit nor deer-resistant. This means it can be eaten by rabbits, and this includes all parts of the plant including the leaves and seeds. 

Celosia leaves have a soft texture and taste mild, much like spinach, making them edible to rabbits and most other herbivores.

As with most flowering plants, rabbits are more attracted to younger celosia plants since they have softer foliage and are closer to the ground. 

Interestingly, Celosia is not toxic to rabbits or any other animal, which means it can serve as a nice treat for pet rabbits. In terms of its nutritional content, it’s comparable to other leafy greens as it contains essential minerals and vitamins.

Even when rabbits don’t eat celosia, they can use it as a shield to hide.

READ MORE: Do Rabbits Eat Dahlias?

Do Rabbits Eat Celosia Seeds?

Yes, rabbits do eat celosia seeds when they come across them in the wild or in your garden. Like the leaves, celosia seeds are edible, just like those of their amaranth cousins. They are usually very tiny, which makes them even more attractive. 

Do Rabbits Eat Celosia Leaves?

Rabbits do eat celosia leaves, just like any other part of the plant. Celosia leaves are usually soft and have a mild flavor, which makes them suitable for bunnies. 

How To Protect Your Celosia From Rabbits

Protecting your celosia from rabbits often requires a combination of different methods.

Fencing

One of the best ways to keep rabbits from entering your garden is to use fencing. While this might take some time and effort, it will serve as a permanent solution once it’s set up. In other words, you won’t need to reapply repellents every time there’s a shower.

One thing to note when installing a fence is the height. Rabbits typically don’t jump more than 2 feet, so you will want to set up fencing that is at least 2 feet high or more. It’s best to use a wire fence that has not more than 1-inch openings; smaller is better. This could be a rabbit wire or a chicken wire fence. 

Use stakes to support the fencing while anchoring the bottom with landscape pins. This will keep the rabbits from wiggling through underneath. Some wild rabbits may attempt digging under the fence; to prevent this, the lowest 2-3 inches of the fence should be buried into the ground. 

Similarly, you can use a chicken wire cage if there are just a few plants you want to encircle.

Targeted Cover

If you want to protect only your celosia, then you can just focus your efforts on protecting that particular area. In this case, you can consider targeted coverage. This usually involves wrapping or covering the plant with a garden fabric, then supporting the fabric with with hoops. 

This method is quick and provides an easy way to shield the entire bed or area of celosia or any other flower or plant of interest from possible rabbit attacks. Ensure the fabric is well secured (anchored) on all sides.

Natural Repellents

When it’s not practical to use a fence, you can scatter scents around your celosia or garden that rabbits don’t like. There are certain odors that are offensive to rabbits; sprinkling them around the celosia plants can potentially keep them away. Some of these scents can also repel deer. I have listed a good number of them below:

• Garlic
• Rotten eggs
• Fish emulsion
• Talcum powder
• Vinegar 
• Ammonia
• Hot pepper
• Mothball
• Dried sulfur
• Citrus peels

You can apply these items by dusting/sprinkling them around the plant or diluting with water in small bottles and spraying them.

WARNING: Don’t apply vinegar or ammonia directly to the plant. Instead, pour them into small jars or containers with tiny holes to let out the smell. Then, place them around the garden.

It is worth mentioning that repellents may not always be effective. Besides the fact that you need to reapply them often, especially after the rain, some rabbits may get used to the smell over time.

Chemical Repellents

Instead of preparing your own repellent or using an item from your kitchen, you can purchase one. 

Like the natural options, chemical repellents can be applied to any plant, tree, or vine that needs protection from rabbits. They usually have an unpleasant scent, taste, or texture, which is supposed to deter rabbits. 

However, some of them may not be safe to use on vegetables or other food plants. As a result, you want to read the label and directions to be sure it’s something you can use. If you’re looking for options, consider LIQUID FENCE, which is safe to use for deer and rabbits.

It’s worth mentioning that just like natural repellents, commercial repellents usually work for a short period and need to be reapplied, especially after a downpour.

Rabbit-Deterrent Plants

Even though rabbits are herbivores by nature, there are still many plants and herbs they like to stay away from. If you can incorporate some of these into your yard, you can deter them.

Here’s a list of such plants:

• Lavender
• Bee balm
• Yarrow
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Sage
• Chives
• Rhubarb
• Daffodil
• Yew
• Marigold
• Catmint
• Etc. 

Scare Tactics

Another method you can try out is to use scare tactics. This way, you won’t have to chase the rabbits yourself. However, this is a temporary fix because sooner or later, the rabbits will realize that it will cause them no actual harm.

Examples of scare devices are sparkly streamers, water sprays, and motion sensor lights. All these can scare off rabbits initially, but over time, the rabbits can get used to them and just ignore them.

The only exception is when you use actual animals like dogs to chase the rabbits away.

If you live in an area with a lot of rabbits, chances are that you will have other wild predators around, such as owls, hawks, and foxes. These animals don’t usually pose much danger to family pets. So they can be allowed to hunt rabbits. 

Having said that, to be on the safe side, you’re better off with your family dog or house cat; these are effective deterrents.

READ MORE: Do Rabbits Eat Calibrachoa?