Do Rabbits Eat Tomato Plants

If you’re a gardener, you’ve likely looked out at your vegetable patch and wondered, do rabbits eat tomato plants? The short answer is yes, they certainly do. While they might not be their first choice, rabbits find young, tender tomato plants and their fruit very appealing, especially when other food is scarce. This can be frustrating after all your hard work. Let’s look at why they do it and, more importantly, how you can protect your garden.

Rabbits are opportunistic feeders. They eat a wide variety of plants to get the nutrients they need. Your tomato plants, particularly the young seedlings and leaves, are a soft target. They are easy to chew and full of moisture. While mature tomato leaves are less tasty due to certain compounds, hungry rabbits won’t be picky. They will also gladly eat the green tomatoes right off the vine.

What Parts of the Tomato Plant Do Rabbits Target?

Rabbits aren’t usually neat eaters. They can cause significant damage to several parts of your plant.

Seedlings and Stems: This is the most common damage. Rabbits will nibble young plants right down to the ground. They also gnaw on tender stems, which can kill the plant.
Leaves and Foliage: They enjoy the soft leaves, creating ragged holes or stripping entire sections bare.
Green Tomatoes: Don’t assume they’ll wait for ripening. Rabbits will take bites out of young, green fruits, ruining them.
Flowers: They may also eat the blossoms, which reduces your overall harvest.

How to Tell if Rabbits Are the Culprit

Before you take action, make sure rabbits are your problem. Other pests like deer or insects can cause different damage.

Look for clean-cut, angled bites on stems and leaves. Rabbits have sharp incisors that make a clean cut, unlike the ragged tears from insects.
Check for small, round droppings near the damaged plants.
Look for tracks in soft soil – their hind feet leave larger prints than their front ones.
Notice if damage is occuring mostly from the ground up to about two feet high. Rabbits are low feeders.

Effective Strategies to Protect Your Tomato Plants

Protecting your plants requires a mix of barriers, deterrents, and garden management. Here are the most reliable methods.

1. Physical Barriers (The Most Effective Method)

Fencing is your best and most reliable defense. It creates a physical block that rabbits cannot easily bypass.

Use chicken wire or hardware cloth with a mesh no larger than 1 inch.
The fence should be at least 2 feet tall above ground and buried 6 inches deep to prevent digging.
Bend the bottom of the buried section outward in an “L” shape to further deter burrowing.
For individual plants, you can use wire cages or cut plastic bottles to create protective collars.

2. Natural Repellents and Deterrents

These methods work by making your plants taste, smell, or feel unpleasant to rabbits. They often need reapplication, especially after rain.

Commercial Spray Repellents: Look for ones containing ingredients like capsaicin (hot pepper) or putrefied eggs. Spray directly on plants, following label instructions.
Homemade Sprays: A mixture of garlic, cayenne pepper, and water can be effective. Always test on a small part of the plant first.
Strong-Smelling Plants: Interplanting with onions, garlic, marigolds, or herbs like oregano can sometimes mask the scent of your tomatoes.
Physical Texture Deterrents: Sprinkling coarse mulch, like crushed gravel or oyster shells, around plants can discourage rabbits from walking there.

3. Garden Hygiene and Habitat Modification

Make your yard less inviting to rabbits by removing their preferred habitat.

Clear away brush piles, tall grass, and weeds where rabbits like to hide and nest.
Seal off openings under sheds or decks where they might take shelter.
Keep your lawn mowed to reduce cover.

4. Scare Tactics and Distractions

These can provide temporary relief but rabbits often become accustomed to them.

Motion-activated sprinklers can startle them away.
Pinwheels or aluminum pie plates that flash in the sun might help for a short time.
Some gardeners find success by planting a sacrificial patch of clover or lettuce away from the main garden to draw rabbits elsewhere.

What to Do if Your Plants Are Already Damaged

Don’t give up hope if rabbits have already visited. Many tomato plants can recover with a little care.

Assess the Damage: If the main stem is completely severed, the plant likely won’t survive. If it’s partially gnawed or just the leaves are eaten, it can often bounce back.
Clean Up: Gently trim away any badly damaged, hanging stems or leaves with clean pruners.
Support and Nourish: Water the plant well and consider applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to give it a boost for new growth.
Protect Immediately: Install a physical barrier around the damaged plant right away to prevent a second attack while it’s vulnerable.

Common Misconceptions About Rabbits and Tomatoes

Let’s clear up a few myths that can lead gardeners astray.

Myth: Rabbits won’t eat tomato plants because the leaves are toxic.

Fact: While tomato leaves contain alkaloids that can be harmful in large quantities, rabbits will still eat them, especially when hungry. The risk to the rabbit is generally low from occasional nibbling, but the damage to your plant is high.
Myth: Having a dog or cat outside will keep all rabbits away.

Fact: Pets can deter rabbits, but they are not a foolproof solution. Rabbits will often learn the pet’s schedule and visit when they’re not around.
Myth: Once a plant is mature, it’s safe.

Fact: Mature plants are tougher but not immune. Rabbits will still eat the fruit and may girdle the tougher stems.

FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions

Do wild rabbits eat tomato plants?
Yes, wild cottontails are the most common garden culprits. They eat a huge variety of garden plants, including tomatoes.

Will rabbits eat my tomato plants at night?
Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). Most damage happens during these times, though they can feed in daylight in quiet gardens.

Are there any rabbit-proof tomato varieties?
No tomato plant is truly rabbit-proof. All varieties are susceptible to some degree, especially when the plants are young and tender.

What other vegetables do rabbits eat?
Rabbits love beans, peas, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and herbs. They tend to avoid plants like potatoes, rhubarb, and strong-smelling onions and garlic.

Is it safe to use rabbit repellent on tomatoes I plan to eat?
Always follow the instructions on the repellent label. Most are safe to use on edible plants but have a required waiting period between application and harvest. Wash all produce thoroughly.

Protecting your tomato plants from rabbits takes some effort, but it is very achievable. By combining a strong physical fence with good garden habits, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest. Remember, consistency is key—rabbits are persistent, so your defenses need to be too. Start early, before they develop a taste for your garden, and you’ll save yourself alot of frustration.