Any questions please contact us. Interested in foraging, or starting a garden for your bunnies? Click here to read our foraging page to find out what plants are safe to grow or collect! Common Houseplants - Non-Toxic To Rabbits Below is a non-comprehensive list of common houseplants that are non-toxic to rabbits. This list contains both ornamental plants and kitchen herbs. Reminder that “non-toxic” does not necessarily mean “edible”. Likewise, “toxic” also does not necessarily mean it cannot be consumed at all. There is misinformation when it comes to claims a plant is “toxic to rabbits”. Roots, fruits, seeds, stems, leaves, new growth, old growth, young plants, woody plants, all these factor into the different chemical processes plants go through, and the different stages of the plants life cycle may factor in whether or not it can be eaten, and which parts, to what extent. An example of this would be the apple (Malus spp.), where the leaf, branch, wood, and fruit is suitable for rabbits, however the seed of the fruit is not, rendering this plant with a toxic warning. And while chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) are non-toxic, the capsaicin within the fruit and seeds can cause burning sensations or irritation to the mouth and stomach, but the sweeter varieties (such as the bell pepper) are a common treat given to rabbits. If you are ever unsure if a plant is OK to offer to your rabbit, the best course of action is to not offer it at all. Confirm a plant's identity by its Latin name, and not by common name. However, we invite everyone to be proactive in offering a wide variety of plant matter to their rabbits, and research the suitability of native plants, garden plants, and agricultural plants, which can be collected wild or grown at home, and offered to enrich their diet. A diverse diet is a healthy diet. While these plants listed below are unlikely to cause harm to your rabbits, prevention is best - keep your houseplants on shelving or tables that are out of reach of furry paws. Should your rabbits snack on them, keep an eye for any behavior that is unusual, and call your rabbit vet if you have any concerns. Common houseplants that can also be fodder will have a banana icon ð next to them. These are plants that are not only non-toxic, but edible to varying degrees, and can be grown or foraged for your rabbits to consume. Many of the plants on this list are safe for rodents as well, such as degus, chinchillas, rats, guinea pigs, and gerbils, but this list is geared towards rabbits. If you have any questions on suitability or safety, you can contact us, and if we cannot provide an affirmative answer, we will direct you to a group or forum that may have more knowledge. If you think your rabbit has ingested a plant inside or outside that you believe is toxic or poisonous, it is best to call your veterinary office immediately to see if it warrants a visit. If it is after operating hours, call an emergency vet. This list is geared towards an audience in the United States. (note: spp. means "species", denoting all plants of that genus are safe for rabbits) Acalypha hispida Common names: chenille plant, copperleaf Aeschynanthus spp. Common names: lipstick plant Anethum graveolena ð Common names: dill Anthriscus cerefolium ð Common names: chervil, garden chervil, french parsley Alternanthera ficoidea Common names: parrot leaf, calico plant, bloodleaf, copperleaf, joyweed Aphelandra squarrosa Common names: zebra plant Artemisia dracunculus Common names: tarragon, dragon Aspidistra elatior Common names: cast iron plant, iron plant, bar room plant Asplenium spp. ð Common names: bird’s nest fern, nest fern, crow’s nest fern, spleenwort, hurricane fern Beaucarnea recurvata Common names: pony tail palm, elephant’s foot palm NOTE: one potential reported poisoning https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1133-z Bromeliaceae family (see also: Tillandsia spp.) Common names: bromeliad, earth star, common pineapple (Ananas sativus) Cactaceae family Common names: cactus (all types) NOTE: Exception would be cacti with psychoactive properties (see list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_cactus) NOTE: Not to be confused with members of the Euphorbia genus which are both not cacti and have toxic properties in the milky sap. Calathea spp. Common names: calathea, rattlesnake plant, prayer plant (see also: Maranta spp.) Calendula spp. Common names: calendula, pot marigold, marigold Calluna vulgaris Common names: heather, scottish heather, ling Camellia sinensis Common names: tea plant NOTE: Not to be confused with Cordyline spp., ti plant, which may cause acute dermal toxicity and eye irritation. Canna spp. Common names: canna plant, canna lily Capsicum annuum Common names: cayenne, chili pepper, jalapeno, hot pepper, bell pepper, sweet bell pepper, paprika Celosia spp. Common names: celosia, cockscomb, feathered amaranth Ceodes umbellifera (Pisonia umbellifera) Common names: bird lime tree, bird catcher tree, lettuce tree, cabbage tree Cephalocereus senilis Common names: old man cactus, bunny cactus Ceropegia woodii Common names: string of hearts, chain of hearts Chamaedorea spp. ð Common names: bamboo palm (see also: Dypsis lutescens), parlor palm, reed palm, bella palm, neanthe bella palm Chlorophytum amaniense Common names: mandarin plant Chlorophytum comosum ð Common names: spider plant, spider ivy, ribbon plant, airplane plant Cissus alata Common names: grape ivy, oak leaf ivy Coleus scutellarioides Common names: coleus, coleus wizard, painted nettle NOTE: Not to be confused with Coleus amboinicus which has a fragrant leaf and is toxic. Columnea spp. Common names: columnea, goldfish plant Coriandrum sativum ð Common names: cilantro, coriander Cryptocereus anthonyanus Common names: ric rac cactus, fishbone cactus, zig zag cactus Cyanotis kewensis Common names: teddy bear vine Davallia fejeensis Common names: rabbit’s foot fern Dizygotheca elegantissima Common names: false aralia Dypsis lutescens ð Common names: areca palm, butterfly palm, bamboo palm (see also: Chamaedorea spp.) Echeveria spp. Common names: echeveria succulents Episcia cupreata Common names: flame violet Fatsia japonica Common names: japanese paper plant, paper plant, figleaf palm Fittonia spp. Common names: fittonia, nerve plant, mosaic plant Gasteria obliqua Common names: ox tongue succulent Geogenanthus ciliatus Common names: geo plant Gynura aurantiaca Common names: purple velvet plant, purple passion plant Haworthia spp. Common names: haworthia, zebra plant, zebra cactus, pearl plant Hemigraphis exotica Common names: waffle plant, purple waffle plant Hibiscus spp. ð Common names: hibiscus, rose of sharon Howea forsteriana Common names: sentry palm, thatch palm, paradise palm Hoya spp. Common names: hoya, wax plant, wax vine, indian rope, porcelain flowers Hypoestes phyllostachya Common names: polka dot plant Ipomoea aquaticað Common names: water spinach, chinese watercress, chinese morning glory, kangkung Iresine spp. Common names: bloodleaf, chicken gizzard plant, pink fire, juba’s bush, beefsteak Laurus nobilis ð Common names: bay plant, bay laurel, laurel, bay tree Lavandula spp. ð Common names: lavender Livistona chinensis Common names: chinese fan palm, fountain palm Maranta spp. Common names: prayer plant (see also: Calathea spp.), rabbit foot maranta, arrowroot Melissa officinalis ð Common names: lemon balm Mentha spp. ð Common names: mint Mikania ternata Common names: purple pleasure plant, mikania, plush vine Muehlenbeckia spp. Common names: maidenhair fern, centipede plant, wire vine Musa spp. ð Common names: banana Nepenthes spp. Common names: pitcher plant, tropical pitcher plant, monkey cups Nepeta cataria Common names: catnip, catmint, catwort Nephrolepis spp. Common names: boston fern, sword fern, giant sword fern, macho fern Ocimum basilicum ð Common names: basil Opuntia spp. Common names: prickly pear cactus, tuna Orchidaceae family Common names: orchid (all types) Origanum spp. ð Common names: oregano, marjoram Pellionia spp. (Elatostema spp.) (see also: Pilea spp.) Common names: pellionia, watermelon vine, begonia vine, polynesian ivy Peperomia spp. Pictured: Peperomia "Pink Lady" Common names: peperomia, rubber plant, baby rubber plant, pepperface, raindrop plant, string of turtles NOTE: Not to be confused with Ficus elastica “rubber plant/rubber tree” which has a milky sap that is toxic Petroselinum crispum ð Common names: parsley Phlebodium aureum Common names: rabbits foot fern, hare foot fern, cabbage palm fern Pilea spp. (see also: Pellionia spp.) Next year this will be a webpage on bunloaf's new website, including cites and sources for furthering knowledge. It is not finished and will be built up over the coming months. This was posted prematurely due to a frequent amount of posting on HRS group about rabbits and houseplants, and figured it would be useful to put out now prior to bunloaf's grand opening.
Non-Toxic Houseplant List
Platycerium bifurcatum
Common names: staghorn fern, elkhorn fern
Plectranthus spp.
Common names: swedish ivy, creeping charlie, coleus, indian borage
Portulaca spp. ð
Common names: purslane, moss rose
Pteris spp.
Common names: silver ribbon fern, table fern, silver lace fern, brake fern, sword fern
Rhapis excelsa
Common names: lady palm, broadleaf lady palm, bamboo palm (see also: Chamaedorea seifrizii, Dypsis lutescens)
Salvia spp. ð
Common names: rosemary, sage, anthos
Saxifraga stolonifera
Common names: strawberry begonia, strawberry geranium, creeping saxifrage, mother of thousands
Schlumbergera spp. Pictured: thanksgiving cactus
Common names: christmas cactus, thanksgiving cactus, easter cactus, shrimp cactus
Sedum spp.
Common names: sedum, stonecrop, burro’s tail, horse tail
Selaginella spp.
Common names: moss, spikemoss, clubmoss, frosty fern, resurrection plant
Sinningia speciosa
Common names: gloxinia, florist's gloxinia
Common names: baby tears (see also: Pilea spp.), angel’s tears
Stapelia hirsuta
Common names: african starfish, starfish flower, hairy toad plant, carrion plant
Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia
Common names: african violet
Symphytum spp.
Common names: comfrey
Tetrastigma voinierianum
Common names: giant grape ivy, lizard plant, lizard vine, chestnut vine
Thymus spp. ð
Common names: thyme
Tillandsia spp. (see also: Bromeliaceae family)
Common names: air plant, spanish moss
Tradescantia spp.
Common names: inch plant, wandering plant, oyster plant, moses-in-the-cradle, boatlily, spiderwort, hanging bamboo grass, water turtle grass
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Common names: fenugreek, methi
Viola spp. ð
Common names: viola, violet, pansy
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Identification
How to identify the species of a plant:
iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/
Garden Tags https://www.gardentags.com/
Microsoft Bing Flower Identification Tool https://www.bing.com/visualsearch/Microsoft/FlowerIdentification
Plants And More Visual Species Search https://plantsam.com/
PlantNet https://identify.plantnet.org/
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/
reddit’s What’s This plant? https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisplant/
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew - Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/
USDA’s Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/
Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN) https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search
World Flora Online (WFO) Plant List https://wfoplantlist.org/
Phone Application Identification:
Google Lens https://lens.google/
PlantIn https://myplantin.com/plant-identifier
Plant Snap https://www.plantsnap.com/
Identify if a plant is edible or has medicinal uses:
Note that edibility and medicinal practices do not always translate across species, please confirm through other means whether a plant can be given to non-humans safely.
Plants For A Future http://pfaf.org
USDA- Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/search
To learn more about what might make a plant toxic, please see this article in the American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research
https://biomedgrid.com/fulltext/volume4/plant-toxins.000793.php
Archive: https://archive.ph/Jp7C3
DOI: 10.34297/AJBSR.2019.04.000793
Other sources:
A Guide to Plant Poisoning of Animals in North America
https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Guide_to_Plant_Poisoning_of_Animals_in.html
Toxic Plants of North America, Second Edition
George E. Burrows, Ronald J. Tyrl
https://books.google.com/books/about/Toxic_Plants_of_North_America.html
EPA ToxCast Data
https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/exploring-toxcast-data-downloadable-data
Cornell Department of Animal Science - Plants Poisonous to Livestock
http://poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu/
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Plants Toxic to Animals
https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=745575&p=5339398
Indoor Companion Animal Poisoning by Plants in Europe - PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7427442/
The Open Sanctuary Project’s Global Toxic Plant Database
https://airtable.com/shr3CVNlpVzVn5ioI/tblRjCd3kH3UMWGuP?backgroundColor=red&viewControls=on
World Agroforestry Centre - Agroforestree Database
https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/index.php?keyword=Fodder
USDA ARS - Poisonous Plants By Toxic Syndrome
University of Idaho - Toxic Plant Database
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/range/toxicplants_horses/Toxic%20Plant%20Database.html
Swiss Agroscope - Toxic Plants – Phytotoxin (TPPT) Database
https://www.agroscope.admin.ch/agroscope/en/home/publications/apps/tppt.html
Encyclopedia of Life
Search through journals and publications:
Global Biodiversity Information Facility - GBIF
Science.gov
Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
Google Scholar