When you’re trying to decide what makes the best wild rabbit food, there are a lot of things to consider. If you have your sights set on introducing new plants into your garden.
Specifically because of their potential to attract wild rabbits. It’s important that you know exactly what they want to eat before you start planting.
Even if you don’t have a specific target species in mind when creating your garden. Knowing which plants are most likely to be appealing to different types of wildlife is an important factor for anyone looking to create a wildlife-friendly space. No matter how small it is.
If you’re setting up a rabbit-friendly space in your garden or backyard. And want to introduce new plants specifically for this reason, here’s our list of the best wild rabbit food.
What to Grow for Best Wild Rabbit Food
Wild rabbits are notoriously difficult to trap and catch, so the best wild rabbit food is the kind that’s not only easily accessible but also appealing enough to draw the animals in close enough to make capture easier.
Easily-accessible food is important because wild rabbits are extremely skittish and wary by nature. They’re not going to eat something that’s difficult to reach unless they’re truly hungry enough to overcome their inherent wariness.
Rabbits are naturally herbivores, so it’s best to focus on growing plants that fit into this category. Grow plants that are native to your region. These plants adapt to local conditions and are more likely to be appealing to local wildlife than non-native plants.
Dandelion
Dandelion is one of the best wild rabbit food because it’s easy for rabbits to access and consume, and it’s also quite nutritious. It has a high palatability rating and is very attractive to wild rabbits.
And the best news is that the plant grows prolifically and is easy to cultivate and harvest, making it a great choice for home gardeners. It’s is a perennial plant that’s native to most of North America.
It’s a type of herbaceous plant that grows well in full sun and partial shade, though it thrives in areas with moist soil. These plants are easily identifiable by their large, toothed leaves and yellow flowers that grow in clumps at the top of the stem. The Dandelion flowers are edible (though not particularly palatable) and can be used in a variety of culinary applications.
Marigold
Marigolds are easy to grow and make a fantastic addition to any garden, but they’re also one of the best wild rabbit food due to their high palatability rating. Marigolds are native to Central and South America, but have spread and are cultivated in all 50 states.
They’re a very common herbal plant and make an excellent addition to any home garden. Marigolds are easy to identify by their large, brightly colored flowers. There are a number of different varieties of marigold.
Including the common orange variety and the less common but equally beautiful yellow, red, and white varieties. Marigolds are edible and have a variety of culinary applications. They’re also a rich source of bee food. Marigolds are easy to cultivate and prefer full sun and slightly moist soil.
Clover
Clover is a common wild plant that’s found throughout most of the United States and Canada. It’s a type of legume that’s popular as pasture for livestock, but it’s also one of the best wild rabbit food since it’s high in nutrients and easy for rabbits to access.
There are a number of different types of clover, including crimson clover, alsike clover, and white clover. White clover is the most commonly found type of clover in the United States, making it the most likely to be found in your garden.
It’s a common misconception that clover belongs to the pea family, but in fact, it belongs to the legume family. It’s widely cultivated for livestock feed, but also makes a great addition to a wildlife garden since it’s high in nutrients and very palatable.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is an edible flower that’s native to South and Central America. Making it a non-native addition to gardens in North America. It’s considered to be one of the best wild rabbit food because it’s extremely nutritious and very attractive to rabbits.
Nasturtium is easy to cultivate and grows well in full sun, partial shade, and even indoors. It’s a very prolific plant and is often used as a decorative ground cover. The leaves of this plant are edible and have a bit of a peppery flavor, making it a popular addition to salads.
Nasturtium flowers are bright and beautiful, and you can use them in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish. It’s also very attractive to bees and other pollinators, making it a great addition to a wildlife garden.
Basil
Basil is a staple herb in a variety of culinary dishes, but it’s also one of the best wild rabbit food, since it’s both nutritious and attractive to rabbits.
You’ll find that basil grows easily in most climates and soil types, and thrives in full sun. It makes a great addition to any home garden, and can be grown indoors during the winter months.
There are a number of different varieties of basil, including lemon basil, purple basil, and Thai basil. All varieties of basil are edible, but lemon basil and purple basil are particularly attractive to rabbits. Basil is easy to cultivate and makes a great addition to any garden, making it one of the best wild rabbit food.
Rabbits are a common sight in gardens the world over and if you have the space, it can be incredibly satisfying to attract them with the best wild rabbit food. They’re not only beautiful creatures but they’re also incredibly useful for keeping pests such as snails and slugs at bay.
Even if you don’t need to keep pests out of your garden, having rabbits around can be a really great thing. They’re very entertaining to watch and are capable of providing hours of entertainment for both children and adults.
And of course, if you do happen to catch one they make a very nutritious meal. So if you’re a gardener, why not create a space that not only looks beautiful. But also attracts one of the most beautiful creatures in the animal kingdom?
Hi! I’m Lala, and I’m the owner of RabbitLala.com. When I’m not writing about rabbits, I enjoy traveling, trying out new recipes and enjoying my hobbies.
I’ve always loved animals, so it was no surprise when I started a website devoted to one specific animal: rabbits! Rabbits are amazing creatures, and there’s so much to learn about them.
I love traveling and trying out new recipes, and my hobbies include crocheting and painting.