Do Rabbits Eat Morning Glories? The Honest Gardener’s Answer
Short answer: yes, rabbits will eat morning glories — especially tender seedlings and fresh shoots. Long answer: whether they turn your trellis into a salad bar depends on what else is available, the season, and how you protect your vines. As someone who grows morning glories every year for that magical sunrise bloom, I’ve learned exactly how irresistible they can be to a hungry rabbit — and how to keep both the rabbits and the flowers safe.
Why Morning Glories Tempt Rabbits
Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) put out soft, fast-growing foliage that’s basically the rabbit equivalent of a croissant: fresh, tender, and easy to nibble. In spring and early summer, when lawns are still recovering and weeds are scant, young vines are at their most vulnerable. Even later in the season, new side shoots and flower buds can be sampled.
- Tender texture: New growth is easiest for rabbits to bite and digest.
- Scent and shape: Those trumpet blooms and succulent stems are inviting.
- Climbing habit: Trailing stems often touch the ground before they climb — prime rabbit height.
“When my vines are under six inches tall, I treat them like VIPs — Very Important Plants — because that’s when rabbits notice them first.”
Are Morning Glories Toxic To Rabbits?
This is the tricky part. Morning glory seeds contain ergoline alkaloids (similar to LSA) and are considered toxic to pets and livestock. The highest concentrations are in the seeds; leaves and flowers generally contain much lower levels. Wild rabbits may still nibble leaves without obvious issues, but that doesn’t make it safe for pet rabbits or a risk-free habit in the garden.
- Seeds: The most toxic part. Avoid letting rabbits access mature seed pods.
- Leaves and flowers: Typically lower in alkaloids, but it’s still smart to discourage regular grazing.
- If ingestion happens: Watch for lethargy, wobbliness, digestive upset, or unusual behavior; contact a vet if you suspect seed ingestion.
My rule of thumb: I never offer any part of morning glory to domestic rabbits, and I keep vines trained and out of reach. In the garden, preventing access is the safest path.
How To Tell If Rabbits Are The Culprit
If your morning glories suddenly look “trimmed,” rabbits may be visiting. Here’s how I confirm it’s rabbits and not insects or deer:
- Clean, angled cuts on stems and leaves — like snipped with tiny scissors.
- Damage under 18 inches high, concentrated near ground-level growth.
- Small round pellets nearby, and narrow tracks or a low tunnel under a fence.
- Early morning or dusk sightings — rabbits are most active at these times.
My Proven Ways To Protect Morning Glories
I combine a few simple tactics so rabbits move along without turning the vines into dinner.
Start With Physical Barriers
- Seedling collars: Wrap a 6–8 inch diameter cylinder of 1/2-inch hardware cloth or 1-inch poultry netting around each young plant; press 2 inches into the soil.
- Low fencing: A 24–30 inch tall fence of 1-inch poultry netting, staked every 3–4 feet, keeps most rabbits out. Bury the bottom 4–6 inches or bend it outward in an L-shape to stop digging.
- Trellis early: Give vines strings or a trellis right away so they climb quickly and leave less tempting growth at ground level.
- Containers: Grow morning glories in tall pots or planters and lead vines up twine — out of nibbling range.
Use Repellents (And Rotate Them)
Repellents can help, but rabbits adapt. I rotate recipes and commercial products and reapply after rain.
- Egg spray: Blend 1 egg with 1 quart water, a teaspoon of mild dish soap, plus optional garlic or hot pepper; strain and spray foliage weekly. The smell deters chewing.
- Garlic-pepper tea: Steep crushed garlic and chili flakes in hot water, cool, strain, add a drop of soap, and spray on lower leaves and surrounding soil.
- Commercial repellents: Look for putrescent egg solids or garlic-based formulas. Alternate brands each month for best results.
“Repellents buy time; barriers win the season. I spray when seedlings are tiny, but I always back that up with a collar or fence.”
Make Your Yard Less Welcoming
- Reduce cover: Trim brushy edges, stack firewood neatly, and clear low hiding spots.
- Lift vines: Keep the first 12–18 inches of growth trained off the ground so there’s less accessible foliage.
- Time your sowing: Plant seeds after soil warms well to speed germination and growth; fast-growing vines get past rabbit height sooner.
- Mulch wisely: Coarse gravel or crushed shells around the base can be less inviting than soft mulch.
What If Rabbits Already Chewed Your Vines?
Don’t panic — morning glories are vigorous. If stems are snipped:
- Trim ragged ends to a clean cut just above a node.
- Feed and water: A balanced organic fertilizer and steady moisture help rapid regrowth.
- Protect immediately: Add a collar or small fence so new shoots can recover.
- Resow if needed: Morning glories sprout fast in warm soil; a second sowing can salvage the display.
Rabbit-Resistant Vine Alternatives
Nothing is truly rabbit-proof, but some climbers are less appealing than morning glories.
- Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris): Slow to start, then tough and generally ignored.
- Boston ivy or Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus spp.): Usually not a rabbit favorite once established.
- Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) and trumpet vine (Campsis radicans): Woody, vigorous, and less palatable; site with care due to vigor.
- Akebia quinata: Semi-evergreen in mild climates; rabbits rarely bother mine.
- Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides): In warmer zones, leathery foliage is typically bypassed.
If you adore morning glory blooms, consider pairing them with a tougher vine on the same trellis. The companion can mask any mid-season nips while the morning glories rebound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rabbits eat morning glory flowers or just the leaves?
They’ll sample both, but tender leaves and young stems are usually hit first. Buds can disappear overnight if the plant is within easy reach.
Is it safe to grow morning glories where pet rabbits roam?
I wouldn’t. Because seeds are toxic, and leaves may still cause issues, it’s best to keep morning glories out of areas where pet rabbits graze.
Will companion plants protect morning glories from rabbits?
Companion plants alone rarely stop a determined rabbit, but strongly scented herbs (rosemary, thyme) at the base can help a little when combined with barriers.
Do wild rabbits eat related weeds like bindweed?
Yes, they’ll nibble field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), which is in the same family. That doesn’t mean morning glory is a safe forage — especially the seeds.
My Step-By-Step Game Plan For A Rabbit-Heavy Yard
- Week 1: Install a low fence or individual seedling collars before sowing.
- Week 2: Sow seeds in warm soil; place trellis or twine immediately.
- Week 3: Start repellent rotation; reapply after rain.
- Week 4–6: Train vines up quickly; remove any ground-level tangles.
- All season: Keep the area tidy and trim cover; tighten or repair fences promptly.
“The year I stopped ‘waiting to see’ and started protecting on day one, I kept every single vine. Prevention beats cure — and it looks better too.”
Final Trowel Tap
So, do rabbits eat morning glories? They sure can — and they will, given the chance. While the foliage and blooms may be nibbled, the seeds are the real danger due to toxicity, so it’s smart to keep both wild and pet rabbits away from the vines. With simple barriers, early training, and a light touch of repellents, you can enjoy those glorious morning blooms without turning your trellis into a buffet. Protect early, stay consistent, and your morning glories will reward you with a wall of color from summer’s first light to fall’s last hurrah.
