Yes, rabbits will eat tomato plants, but they prefer the leaves over the fruit

Rabbits are herbivores that eat a wide range of garden plants, and tomato plants are on that list. They will nibble the leaves, stems, and sometimes the unripe green fruit, though they tend to leave ripe red tomatoes alone. A rabbit in your garden can strip the foliage from a young tomato plant in a single night, which weakens the plant and can kill it before it produces fruit.

The damage is usually most visible on the lower leaves and stems, where rabbits can reach without standing on their hind legs. If you see clean, angled cuts on your tomato plant stems—rather than ragged tears—a rabbit (or another small herbivore like a groundhog) is likely the culprit. Deer, by contrast, leave ragged damage and tend to browse higher up on the plant.

Key Takeaways

  • Rabbits eat the leaves and stems of tomato plants but usually leave ripe fruit untouched.
  • A physical barrier—fencing at least 2 feet tall, buried 6 inches deep—is the most reliable way to keep rabbits out of your garden.
  • Young tomato plants are more vulnerable than established ones, so protect seedlings and transplants during their first few weeks in the ground.
  • Repellents like capsaicin spray or predator urine may reduce rabbit browsing but are less reliable than fencing.

Why rabbits target tomato plants

Tomato foliage is tender and palatable to rabbits, especially in spring and early summer when young growth is most nutritious. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, so damage often appears overnight. A single rabbit can eat a significant portion of a plant's leaves in one feeding session, and if multiple rabbits are present, the damage compounds quickly.

Rabbits are also drawn to gardens because they offer a concentrated food source. A vegetable garden with tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and other plants is far more attractive to a rabbit than scattered wild plants in a field. Once a rabbit discovers your garden, it will return regularly unless you make it difficult or unpleasant to access.

Fencing: the most effective barrier

A physical fence is the most reliable way to keep rabbits away from tomato plants. The fence should be at least 2 feet tall—rabbits can jump, but most will not attempt a jump higher than 18 to 24 inches if they cannot see a clear landing spot on the other side. The fence must also extend 6 inches below ground level, either buried or bent outward at a right angle, because rabbits will dig under a fence that sits only on the surface.

Use 1/2-inch hardware cloth or chicken wire rather than larger-mesh fencing, which rabbits can squeeze through. Attach the fencing securely to wooden posts or stakes so rabbits cannot push it aside. A fence around your entire garden is the most practical approach, but you can also protect individual tomato plants with small cages made from hardware cloth if your garden is small.

Repellents and deterrents

Repellents work inconsistently but may reduce rabbit browsing when combined with other methods. Capsaicin spray—made from hot peppers—tastes unpleasant to rabbits and can be applied directly to tomato foliage. Reapply after rain and every 7 to 10 days. Predator urine (coyote or fox) is sold commercially and may deter rabbits by creating the impression of a threat, though rabbits can become accustomed to it over time.

Motion-activated sprinklers startle rabbits and may discourage them from entering your garden, but they are less reliable than fencing and waste water. Noise makers and flashing lights have limited effectiveness because rabbits habituate to them quickly. If you use repellents, rotate between different types every few weeks to prevent rabbits from becoming accustomed to any single method.

Protecting young tomato plants

Seedlings and newly transplanted tomatoes are most vulnerable to rabbit damage because they are small and tender. During the first 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting, consider placing individual protective cages around each plant. These can be made from hardware cloth rolled into a cylinder, or you can purchase tomato cages and wrap them with netting or hardware cloth.

Once a tomato plant is established and growing vigorously, it is more resilient to leaf loss. A mature plant can tolerate some browsing without significant yield reduction, though heavy damage will still reduce fruit production. Remove the protective cages once the plant is 12 to 18 inches tall and has a sturdy stem.

Other plants rabbits commonly eat in vegetable gardens

If rabbits are in your area, they will likely target other plants alongside your tomatoes. Lettuce, beans, peas, clover, and young brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) are all rabbit favorites. Carrots and beets are less preferred because the foliage is tougher, but rabbits will eat them if other options are scarce. Herbs like basil and parsley are also attractive to rabbits.

A garden fence protects all these plants at once, which is why fencing is more practical than trying to protect individual plants with repellents. If you are building a fence specifically to exclude rabbits, you do not need to worry about height as much as you would for deer, but the buried or bent-outward base is essential.

When to call for help

If you have a persistent rabbit problem and fencing is not practical for your situation, contact your local wildlife control service or animal control office. They can assess the severity of the problem and discuss removal options if necessary. Some areas allow live trapping and relocation, while others have different regulations.

Do not use poison or lethal traps without consulting local wildlife authorities first—regulations vary by state and county, and some methods are illegal in certain areas. A licensed wildlife control operator will know what is permitted in your location and can handle the problem safely and legally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can rabbits eat ripe tomatoes?

Rabbits can eat ripe tomatoes and will nibble them occasionally, but they strongly prefer the leaves and stems. Ripe fruit is less likely to be damaged than foliage, so if you see mostly leaf damage, a rabbit is the likely cause.

Are tomato plants toxic to rabbits?

Ripe tomato fruit is safe for rabbits in small amounts, but the leaves, stems, and unripe green fruit contain alkaloids that can cause digestive upset. Wild rabbits avoid eating large quantities of tomato foliage, but a hungry rabbit in a garden may eat enough to cause problems.

Will netting alone keep rabbits off tomato plants?

Netting alone is not effective because rabbits can push through or dig under it. Netting works best when combined with a sturdy frame or fence structure that prevents the rabbit from accessing the plant underneath.

How do I know if a rabbit or a different animal is eating my tomato plants?

Rabbits leave clean, angled cuts on stems and eat lower leaves first. Deer leave ragged damage and browse higher up. Groundhogs eat larger sections and leave wider damage. Insects typically create holes or skeletonized leaves rather than cutting stems.

What time of year are rabbits most likely to damage tomato plants?

Rabbits are most active in spring and early summer when plants are tender and natural food sources are abundant. Damage can occur any time rabbits are present, but it is usually heaviest from April through July in most regions.