Gomphrena, also known as Globe Amaranth, is a popular ornamental annual prized for its globe-shaped flower heads. These blooms offer vibrant purple, pink, or white color that lasts from summer until the first frost. Gardeners choose this plant for its striking appearance and hardiness. Homeowners often question whether rabbits consume the plant or if it poses any danger.
Gomphrena Palatability and Rabbit Preference
Gomphrena is generally categorized as a rabbit-resistant plant, though this does not mean it is entirely immune to being eaten. Its resistance is primarily due to the plant’s tough texture and composition, making it a low-preference food source compared to softer vegetation. The flowers are composed of tough, papery bracts that are not easily digestible and lack the high water content rabbits seek.
Wild rabbits may resort to grazing on Gomphrena stems and leaves out of necessity, especially during drought or when preferred grasses are scarce. This behavior occurs when the caloric cost of foraging outweighs the nutritional benefit of the available food. Domestic rabbits, having a constant supply of hay and forage, will avoid the plant due to its unappealing texture. Consumption reports often involve young seedlings or situations where the animal has exhausted all other palatable options.
Safety Profile of Gomphrena for Rabbits
The primary concern regarding consumption is not high toxicity but the potential for gastrointestinal upset if a large quantity is consumed. Screening of Gomphrena globosa reveals compounds like saponins, alkaloids, coumarins, and reducing sugars. Saponins are detergent-like substances that can irritate the digestive tract and lead to mild symptoms like diarrhea or stomach distress if ingested in excess.
While the plant is not listed among highly toxic species, it is not recommended as a safe or nutritious forage crop for domestic rabbits. The Gomphrenoideae subfamily is cited as having a low toxicity profile. However, the presence of secondary compounds means the plant should be treated as ornamental only, and consumption should be discouraged. If a rabbit consumes a small amount, no severe reaction is expected.
Practical Strategies for Protecting Gardens from Rabbits
Rabbits are opportunistic foragers, so the most reliable method for protecting a garden involves physical exclusion, rather than relying on a plant’s unpalatability. A fence constructed of hardware cloth or chicken wire is the most effective deterrent, provided it meets specific installation requirements. The wire mesh should be no larger than one inch to prevent young rabbits from squeezing through.
For optimal protection, the fence should stand at least 24 to 36 inches tall, as rabbits can stand on their hind legs or jump over low barriers. The fence must be buried six to twelve inches below the soil surface and bent outward in an L-shape to deter burrowing. For smaller areas, a cage or wire cylinder placed around individual plants provides a localized barrier.
Gardeners can also employ scent- or taste-based repellents, although these require consistent reapplication after rain or irrigation. Commercial taste repellents use compounds like thiram to make plants distasteful. Scent-based options may use the smell of predator urine or strong-smelling household items like Irish Spring soap. Companion planting is another option, involving strategically placing strong-smelling herbs, such as mint, rosemary, or garlic, around desirable plants to mask their scent.