Will Wild Rabbits Eat Cilantro

Wild rabbits will eat cilantro, and it’s actually one of those garden greens they tend to nibble on whenever they get the chance.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether wild rabbits will eat cilantro from your garden, the short answer is yes, they usually will.
 
Cilantro is non-toxic to rabbits, so it’s a safe herb for them, and its strong scent doesn’t seem to bother them the way it bothers some other pests.
 
In this post, we’ll look at why wild rabbits eat cilantro, how much damage they can do, and what you can do to protect your cilantro if you’d rather keep it for yourself.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Wild Rabbits Will Eat Cilantro

Wild rabbits will eat cilantro for several reasons, and once you understand those reasons, it’s easier to see why your herb patch keeps getting nibbled.
 

1. Cilantro Is Safe and Tasty to Rabbits

Cilantro isn’t toxic to rabbits, so it falls right into the category of plants they can munch on without getting sick.
 
The leaves are tender and full of moisture, which makes them appealing, especially when other food is scarce.
 
Rabbits are also curious feeders, so they’ll often sample new greens like cilantro just to see if they like them.
 

2. The Smell Doesn’t Repel Them

A lot of people assume that because cilantro has a strong scent, it will keep rabbits away.
 
But wild rabbits will still eat cilantro even with that smell.
 
Their noses are wired differently than ours, and what smells strong to us might smell like a fresh salad to them.
 
So don’t count on the aroma alone to protect your cilantro.
 

3. Cilantro Grows in Places Rabbits Love

Cilantro tends to grow low to the ground, with soft, leafy stems that are easy for rabbits to reach.
 
Wild rabbits will eat cilantro that’s planted in garden beds, raised beds, and even containers if they can get to it.
 
And since cilantro often bolts and spreads, it can create a little patch that looks like a perfect buffet to a hungry rabbit.
 

4. Rabbits Need Variety in Their Diet

Wild rabbits eat a wide range of plants, and they don’t stick to just one type of green.
 
So when they come across cilantro, they’ll often eat it as part of a broader meal.
 
That means your cilantro might not get wiped out in one night, but it can still get damaged over time.
 

5. Young Cilantro Is Especially Vulnerable

Young, tender cilantro seedlings are the easiest for rabbits to nibble down to the stem.
 
Wild rabbits will eat cilantro seedlings fast, sometimes before you even notice they’ve found your garden.
 
So if you’re starting cilantro from seed, you’ll want to protect it early.
 

How Much Cilantro Will Wild Rabbits Eat?

Wild rabbits will eat cilantro in amounts that depend on how hungry they are and how much other food is around.
 
A single rabbit might nibble a few leaves here and there, but a group of rabbits can strip a small cilantro patch in just a night or two.
 
They tend to go for the leaves first, then the stems, and they’ll often leave the tougher base behind.
 
If you see clean, angled cuts on your cilantro, that’s a pretty good sign rabbits have been visiting.
 
Deer and other animals can also eat cilantro, but rabbits are usually the ones doing the low, nibbling damage.
 

How to Keep Wild Rabbits From Eating Your Cilantro

If you want to enjoy your cilantro before wild rabbits eat it all, you’ve got a few good options.
 

1. Use a Simple Fence

A low fence buried a few inches into the ground can keep rabbits out of your cilantro patch.
 
Rabbits can dig and squeeze, so make sure the fence is at least two feet high and secure at the bottom.
 
This is one of the most reliable ways to stop wild rabbits from eating cilantro.
 

2. Plant Cilantro in Raised Beds or Containers

Raising your cilantro up off the ground makes it harder for rabbits to reach.
 
Wild rabbits will still eat cilantro in raised beds if they can climb or jump, so keep the beds tall or add a rim.
 
Containers on a deck or patio work well too, as long as rabbits can’t get to them.
 

3. Use Row Covers or Netting

Floating row covers and lightweight netting let light and air in but keep rabbits out.
 
This works great for young cilantro that’s most at risk.
 
Just make sure the cover is anchored down so rabbits can’t push underneath it.
 

4. Repel Them With Scent or Taste Deterrents

Some gardeners use sprays or granules that make cilantro taste bad to rabbits.
 
You’ll need to reapply after rain or watering, and results can vary.
 
It’s not a perfect fix, but it can help reduce how much cilantro wild rabbits eat.
 

5. Plant a Decoy Patch

If you have the space, plant extra cilantro away from the patch you want to keep.
 
Wild rabbits will often eat the decoy cilantro first, leaving your main crop alone for a while.
 
It’s not foolproof, but it can buy you some time.
 

So, Will Wild Rabbits Eat Cilantro?

Wild rabbits will eat cilantro, and they’ll usually do it happily if they can get to it.
 
Cilantro is safe, tender, and easy for them to reach, so it’s a common target in gardens.
 
If you want to keep your cilantro for your own kitchen, you’ll need to fence it, raise it, cover it, or distract the rabbits with other plants.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand why wild rabbits eat cilantro and how to protect your crop.