Begonia is a genus name for about 1800 species of monoecious (separately occurring female and male parts in the same plant) flowering plants native to moist tropical and subtropical climates. Many people cultivate them as houseplants or outdoors during hot seasons (summer) in regions with cooler temperatures.
Begonias are classified into cane (have canes that resemble those of bamboos), shrub-like, tuberous, rhizomatous, rex, trailing scandent, thick-stemmed, and semperflorens (wax or fibrous-rooted begonias) cultivar groups, and there are many cultivars and varieties, including hybrids.
Do rabbits eat begonias?
Don’t worry that cottontails, hares, wild or domestic rabbits may eat your begonias. Rabbits don’t eat begonia, i.e., rabbits don’t like begonias and will avoid them.
Begonias are among the rabbit resistant annuals and perennials, others being astilbe, azalea, allium, bee balm, bleeding heart, blanket flower, dead nettle, foxglove, geranium, hyssop, ginger, lavender, milkweed, Russian sage, sea holly, among others.
While rabbits or even deer will tend to steer clear of begonias, some may nibble a little bit of this plant and many others that are considered bunny or deer resistant. You note this behavior when their much-preferred alternatives are scarce.
Are they safe or toxic?
If you have house rabbits, one of the main concerns shouldn’t just be your bunnies eating begonias but whether they are toxic or not. Are they toxic?
Yes, begonias are poisonous to rabbits, i.e., all parts of the wax begonias (B. semperflorens-cultorum) and Begonia x tuberhybrida are poisonous to rabbits (1). They join other toxic plants such as Aloe, calendula, holly, junipers, milkweed, oak foliage, potato leaves, rhubarb, poison ivy, eucalyptus, primrose, among others, which your bunnies shouldn’t eat.
If you are afraid your bunnies may invade your garden and eat your wax begonias since they are toxic, consider exclusion by fencing around these plants or using other means to repel or deter them.
You may be interested to know why they are toxic and what signs of toxicity do you expect. Begonias are poisonous to rabbits and cats, dogs, and horses since they are high in oxalic acid.
In rabbits, oxalic acid can cause tingling skin sensation and mouth and damage their kidney if eaten for a long time. Kidney and bladder damage occur since oxalates bind with calcium resulting in calcium crystals sludge.
If you suspect your bunny has eaten a lot of wax begonias, look for symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, variation in thirst or urination, or any other abnormal sign. Talk to your vet for further treatment.
More
As ornamental plants, begonias are valued for their large, variedly variegated or marked leaves that may be green, bronze, or maroon, and their eye-catching pink, white, yellow or scarlet flowers with have sepals (not petals).
As understory plants, they thrive well under a bright shade but not directly under the scorching sun. Additionally, they require warmer temperatures.
Finally, while people eat them in some places, they are high in oxalic acid, as mentioned, making them potentially harmful if consumed in large amounts.