THE ULTIMATE LIST OF DOG FRIENDLY PLANTS
WHAT ARE DOG SAFE PLANTS?
The phrase “most safe plants for dogs” refers to any plants that are not known to be poisonous to canines. Still, it’s important to be aware that some plants may have thorns, spines, or seeds that could injure or sicken your dog. You should be able to let your dog sniff about in, and even tramp through, most dog-safe plants without worrying about harming either your dog or the plant.
WHAT PLANTS ARE UNSAFE FOR DOGS?
Check out our guide on poisonous plants for dogs if you’re concerned that you could have something in your garden that could be harmful to your dog. Some plants are just moderately toxic, so it’s possible you could grow them in your garden without worrying about your dog eating them as long as you keep them contained in a raised bed or fence off area.
Research the topic further.
In determining what is and is not safe for your dog, it is essential to take into account the dog’s individual tendencies. If your dog thinks of the garden as its own personal salad bar, you should steer clear of plants that are toxic or can make canines sick. This is because your dog is more likely to investigate new plants in the garden by putting them in its mouth.
Dogs are generally good at avoiding potentially harmful substances because they won’t consume anything that doesn’t look good to them.
HOUSEPLANTS SAFE FOR DOGS
First, we’ll go over a few of the most common houseplants, and then we’ll go over some more “safe” houseplants. The following is a list of plants that are safe for dogs and can be grown indoors. There are many varieties not included on this list, so if you’re interested in cultivating something unusual or specialised, we recommend doing some additional reading.
ARE SPIDER PLANTS DOG SAFE?
Dogs can safely be in the same room as spider plants. Being dog-friendly is a bonus, as these plants are one of the most frequent houseplants due to their easy reproduction and adaptability. You can finally create that indoor jungle of your fantasies with only a couple of these strategically placed and dangling from shelves.
ARE PARLOUR PALMS SAFE FOR DOGS?
Because of their ability to clean the air and their attractive foliage, parlour palms are among the most popular houseplants in the world. The good news is that they are a houseplant that is completely pet-friendly. In addition to “Chamaedorea elegans,” you may see these plants offered under names like “good luck palms” or “bamboo palms.” Rest assured that any of these varieties is completely safe for your dog as long as you stick with the scientific nomenclature.
ARE SUCCULENTS SAFE FOR DOGS?
In general, most succulents are healthy for dogs. Succulents encompass a wide variety of plant groups. In contrast to the Haworthia family, which is completely non-toxic to both cats and dogs, the jade tree and aloe vera can make dogs sick and are somewhat toxic. Find out what kind of succulent you have and whether or not it is poisonous.
ARE CACTI SAFE FOR DOGS?
Due to their low maintenance requirements and attractive architectural design, cacti are common household plants. However, can dogs safely interact with cacti? Although the sap of some species might induce stomach upset, surprisingly they are not harmful to dogs. The spines, however, will undoubtedly result in pup-set, either by pricking your puppy’s nose or by inflicting internal injury if ingested. Keep your cacti safe from inquisitive dogs by putting them out of their reach.
SOME MORE DOG-FRIENDLY HOUSEPLANTS INCLUDE:
PLANT NAME | SCIENTIFIC NAME |
Air plants | Tillandsia |
African violets | Saintpaulia |
Aluminium plant (Watermelon pilea) | Pilea cadierei |
Areca palm (Golden cane palm, yellow palm, butterfly palm.) | Dypsis lutescens |
Banana plant (Dwarf banana plant) | Musa |
Bird’s nest fern | Asplenium nidus |
Blue star fern | Phlebodium aureum |
Boston fern (Sword fern, fluffy ruffles fern) | Nephrolepis exaltata |
Bromeliads | Bromeliaceae |
Button fern | Pellaea rotundifolia |
Calathea (Prayer plants, rattlesnake plants) | Calathea |
Cast-iron plant (Bar-room plant) | Aspidistra elatior |
Chinese money plant | Pilea peperomioides |
Dendrobium orchid (Tiger orchid, leopard orchid) | Dendrobium gracilicaule |
Echeveria | Echeveria |
Epiphyllum (Fishbone cactus) | Epiphyllum |
Friendship plant | Pilea involucrata |
Gasteria | Gasteria |
Gloxinia | Gloxinia |
Haworthia (Zebra cactus) | Haworthia |
Holiday cacti (Christmas cactus, Easter cactus) | Schlumbergera |
Lipstick plant | Aeschynanthus radicans |
Maidenhair ferns | Adiantum |
Money tree (Guiana chestnut) | Pachira aquatica |
Mosaic plant (Nerve plant) | Fittonia albivenis |
Moth orchid (Orchid) | Phalaenopsis |
Neoregelia | Neoregelia |
Peperomia (Various: Radiator plants, Watermelon plant, baby rubber tree, etc.) | Peperomia |
Pilea (Various) | Pilea |
Polka dot plant (Baby’s tears) | Hypoestes phyllostachya |
Ponytail palm (Elephant’s foot, bottle palm) | Beaucarnea recurvata |
Prayer plant | Maranta leuconeura |
Purple passion (Velvet plant) | Gynura aurantiaca |
Purple waffle plant (Waffle plant, red ivy) | Strobilanthes alternata |
Rabbit’s foot fern (Hare fern, deer foot fern, squirrel foot fern) | Davallia bullata |
Sempervivum | Sempervivum |
Spider plants (Ribbon plants, airplane plants, spider ivy) | Chlorophytum comosum |
Staghorn ferns | Platycerium |
String of turtles | Peperomia prostrata |
Swedish ivy (Swedish begonia) | Plectranthus verticillatus |
Venus flytrap | Dionaea muscipula |
Wax plant | Hoya carnosa |
DOG-FRIENDLY PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR THE GARDEN
It’s not always easy to figure out which houseplants and garden plants are dog-friendly. Unlike lists of poisonous plants, there aren’t that many that exhaustively detail the range of plants that are considered safe. In most cases, you will see that the plant is not labelled as either safe or harmful for dogs. As a parent, you’re in a tough spot.
Each plant’s page on Gardener’s World includes a warning if it is harmful to humans or pets. However, it will be necessary to investigate each plant separately. Then, because some plants offer contradictory information, you should check the plant’s identification with additional resources, like the ASPCA’s list of poisonous and non-toxic plants or the Pet Poison Helpline. However, both the ASPCA and the PPH are based in the United States, therefore there are, once again, restrictions on their usefulness for UK vegetation.
Overeating, thorns, and choking dangers all exist on plants that are technically safe for dogs. Moreover, different canines have different responses to the natural compounds found in various plants. However, just because a dog throws up after consuming a plant does not guarantee that it is poisoned. Many dogs simply have trouble digesting the plant, or it may have caused gastrointestinal irritation.
However, many domesticated canines seem immune to the harmful effects of plants commonly found in human homes and gardens. Reasons for this lack of toxicity include the dog’s lack of interest in the plants, the plants’ safe placement outside the dog’s reach, and the dog’s ingestion of even trace amounts of a deadly plant.
So, what kinds of plants and flowers can you use to spruce up your garden without worrying about your furry friends getting into trouble?
We’ll quickly go through a couple of the most doggoned popular plants, then finish up with a rundown of some additional foliage you might have in your abode. Our list of dog-friendly plants is large, but it’s not complete; we encourage all pet parents to keep looking for and learning about other options.
CLIMBING PLANTS SAFE FOR DOGS
We have what you need if you want to add some colour to a blank fence, fill in an empty border, or have a luxurious climber cascade in front of your door. You may find many dog-friendly and excellent climbers on the market. Jasmine, climbing roses, star jasmine, jasmine from Madagascar, and chocolate vine are just some of the options available.
FLOWERING PLANTS
Daffodils, tulips, and many other popular garden flowers are among the most hazardous plants for dogs. You can also find plenty of flowering and fragrant plants that are completely harmless to your dog. Roses, echinaceas, fuchsias, sunflowers, pansies, and petunias are all examples of pup-ular and dog-friendly flowers. For more flower options that are safe for dogs, please refer to the list that follows.
ARE ROSES SAFE FOR DOGS?
Roses are non-toxic, thus they are fine for dogs to eat. They are essential to any English garden since their lovely scent complements the beautiful flowers. (Which will also make your dog’s acute sense of smell very happy!) Roses in the garden are not only beautiful to look at, but the blossoms and fruits (rosehips) can be eaten by you and your pet buddy.
There is, however, a figurative thorn in this one’s side. Roses may seem gentle, but their stems are actually quite prickly. Planting thorny plants in a raised bed or container eliminates the risk of injury to your dog from rubbing up against the plant, which could be a good option if your dog is clumsy. If your dog has a habit of going too close to your rose, you can prevent injuries by fencing him or covering the base of the plant.
ARE SUNFLOWERS SAFE FOR DOGS?
Sunflowers are completely safe for both cats and dogs to be around. After the season is over and the flowers have faded, you can harvest the head and roast the seeds. Sunflower seeds, especially after being roasted and peeled, are a highly healthy snack for both you and your dog.
ARE FUCHSIAS SAFE FOR DOGS?
Fuchsias are one of the few flowers that are considered acceptable for dogs to eat, and their sweet flavour has led some to believe that they are actually rather delicious. Which means your pet dog is probably more harmful to the plant than the plant is to the dog!
OTHER DOG SAFE PLANTS AND FLOWERS YOU MIGHT WANT TO INTRODUCE TO YOUR GARDEN COULD INCLUDE:
PLANT NAME | SCIENTIFIC NAME |
Acanthus | Acanthus spinosus |
Acer (Japanese maple) | Acer japonicum |
African daisies | Osteospermum |
African violets | Saintpaulia |
Agastache (Giant hyssops) | Agastache |
Arrowroot | Maranta arundinacea |
Aster | Aster |
Astilbe (False goat’s beard) | Astilbe |
Bamboo | Bambusoideae |
Bamboo vine (Cat briar) | Smilax |
Basil | Ocimum basilicum |
Beetroot (Beets) | Beta vulgaris |
Bellflower | Campanula portenschlagiana |
Berberis (Cheal’s scarlet) | Berberis thunbergii |
Bird’s nest fern | Asplenium nidus |
Blue daisy (Blue felicia) | Felicia amelloides |
Blue eyed daisy (Blue eyed African daisy) | Arctotis stoechadifolia |
Bottlebrush | Callistemon |
Breckland thyme (Creeping thyme, wild thyme, elfin thyme.) | Thymus serpyllum |
Brunnera (Jack Frost) | Brunnera macrophylla |
Buddleja (Butterfly bush) | Buddleja |
Butterfly ginger (White ginger) | Hedychium coronarium |
Calendula (Pot marigold) | Calendula |
California lilac (Concha) | Ceanothus |
California pitcher plant (Cobra lily, cobra plant) | Darlingtonia californica |
Camellia | Camellia |
Canary Island date palm (Hardy palms.) | Phoenix canariensis |
Carob | Ceratonia siliqua |
Carrot | Daucus carota |
Catmint (Catnip) | Nepeta |
Celery | Apium graveolens |
Chicory | Cichorium intybus |
Chocolate vine | Akebia quinata |
Choisya (Mexican orange) | Choisya |
Cistus (Rock rose) | Cistus monspeliensis |
Coral bells | Heuchera sanguinea |
Coreopsis (Tickseed) | Coreopsis |
Coriander (Cilantro) | Coriandrum sativum |
Cornflower (Bachelor’s button) | Centaurea cyanus |
Cosmos | Cosmos |
Crossvine | Bignonia capreolata |
Cup-and-Saucer vine (Cathedral bells, monastery bells, Mexican ivy.) | Cobaea scandens |
Dierama (Angel’s fishing rod) | Dierama pulcherrimum |
Dill | Anethum graveolens |
Dogwood | Cornus sanguinea |
Donkey’s tail (Burro’s tail) | Sedum morganianum |
Dragonfruit (Pitaya) | Pitahaya |
Dryopteris (Japanese shield fern) | Dryopteris affinis |
Echinacea (Coneflower) | Echinacea |
Echeveria | Echeveria |
Epimedium | Epimedium x rubrum |
Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare |
Festuca (Elijah blue) | Festuca glauca |
Fishpole bamboo (Golden bamboo) | Phyllostachys aurea |
Forsythia (Golden bells) | Forsythia |
Fuchsia | Fuchsia |
Gerbera daisies (Barberton daisy) | Gerbera jamesonii |
Gentian violet (German violet, Persian violet.) | Exacum affine |
Grape hyacinth | Muscari |
Green milkweed vine | Matelea reticulata |
Hakone grass (Japanese forest grass) | Hakonechloa |
Hawthorn (Quickthorn, hawberry, thornapple, may tree.) | Crataegus |
Heather (Ling) | Calluna vulgaris |
Hickory (Note: Hickory nuts CAN be poisonous) | Carya |
Hollyhocks | Alcea |
Ice plants (Stone plants, fig marigold.) | Aizoaceae |
Impatiens (Busy Lizzies, Touch-me-not.) | Impatiens |
Indian shot (African arrowroot, edible canna, canna lily.) | Canna indica |
Iresine (Bloodleaf, chicken gizzards.) | Iresine |
Japanese silverberry (Autumn olive) | Elaeagnus umbellata |
Jacob’s ladder | Polemonium |
Jasmine | Jasminum |
Lamb’s ears | Stachys byzantina |
Lilac | Syringa |
Liriope (Turf lily) | Liriope muscari |
Madagascar Jasmine (Wax flower, bridal wreath, Hawaiian wedding flower.) | Stephanotis floribunda |
Magnolia | Magnolia |
Mahonia | Mahonia |
Mexican feather grass | Stipa tenuissima |
Michaelmas daisy | Aster amellus |
Mint | Mentha |
Miscanthus | Miscanthus sinensis |
Moss | Bryophyta |
Mulberry tree | Morus |
Nasturtium | Tropaeolum |
Nerine | Nerine bowdenii |
Nigella (Miss Jekyll) | Nigella damascena |
Pansies | Viola tricolor var. hortensis |
Penstemon (Beardtongues) | Penstemon |
Petunias | Petunias |
Phlox | Phlox |
Photinia | Photinia |
Pyracantha (Firethorns) | Pyracantha |
Red maple | Acer rubrum |
Red star | Rhodohypoxis baurii |
Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus |
Roses | Rosa |
Rubella | Skimmia japonica |
Sage | Salvia |
Scabious | Scabious |
Sea holly | Eryngium |
Sedge grass (Carex, Evergold) | Carex oshimensis |
Sempervivum | Sempervivum |
Silverberry (Oleaster) | Elaeagnus |
Snapdragons | Antirrhinum |
Squashes (Various: Butternut, banana squash, acorn squash.) | Cucurbita |
Star jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides |
Strawberries | Fragaria × ananassa |
Sunflowers | Helianthus |
Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima |
Sweet viburnum (Black haw) | Viburnum odoratissimum |
Teasel | Dipsacus fullonum |
Thrift (Sea thrift, sea pink.) | Armeria maritima |
Thyme | Thymus vulgaris |
Violet | Viola |
Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Willowherb (Blooming sally, Rosebay willowherb.) |
Epilobium | Zebra grass |
Miscanthus sinensis | Zinnia |
Zinnia |