Having plants safe for dogs around your home and garden needs careful consideration if your pooch is likely to be left unsupervised in the plants’ vicinity.
Most of us like our home green spaces and the benefits that house and garden plants can bring.
Fortunately, there are many common house and garden plants that are safe for your dog to sniff and to some extent take a nibble of.
But, when a dog eats the leaves or flowers of a plant considered safe for dogs, it will often experience some mild stomach problems.
Consuming larger amounts will likely cause greater distress. In this post we outline some common indoor and outdoor plants safe for dogs.
We also include some common poisonous pooch unfriendly plants to watch out for…
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Friendship Plant (Pilea Involucrata)
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Seifrizii)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera Bridgesii)
Phalaenopsis Orchid (Phalaenopsis Amabilis)
Blueberry Bushes (Vaccinium Corymbosum)
Rosemary Bushes (Rosmarinus Officianalis)
Garden Marigolds (Genus Tagetes)
Some Common Poisonous Plants For Dogs To Watch Out For
Indoor Plants Safe For Dogs
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
The spider plant is a very common plant in many households. The good news is it is a safe plant for dogs and is not toxic. However, the leaves should not be ingested by a dog because they can cause ‘mild gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea.’
From personal experience, I had a spider plant with babies trailing low from the main potted plant. My basset, Bessie, was attracted to the trailing babies and bit them off and ate one. The result was vomiting and a trip to the vet. She was okay, but I made sure to keep out of reach after this episode.
Indoor care tip
Spider plants are hardy, but do best in moderate light in a normal room temperature. In the spring and summer months keep the soil slightly moist and watering weekly is fine. Allow the soil to dry out more in winter between the waterings.
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
African violets are an attractive flowering plant and they are safe for dogs. But, if your pooch takes a big fancy to it because it is a new attractive item in your home, then it could be a problem. Because consumed in large amounts it can upset his stomach. African violets contain a compound ‘saponins’. This can upset the digestive system. [1]
Indoor care tip
African violets like high humidity and indirect sunlight. Water from the base with room- temperature water when the soil is becoming less moist. Don’t let them stand in water or let the soil completely dry out.
Areca Palm (Dypsis Lutescens)
Areca palm is a low-maintenance, air-purifying plant. It isn’t toxic to dogs. So, it is good to have around for you and your dog. The Areca palm is widely used in India for its medicinal qualities. The long fronds may be tempting for your pet to prod and poke or paw! It might be an idea to elevate your areca palm onto a stand to keep it out of doggy harm’s way. [2]
Indoor care tip
The Areca palm enjoys regular watering & indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist. They like humidity, so misting the leaves a couple of times a week is best.
Friendship Plant (Pilea Involucrata)
The friendship plant is a non-toxic plant for your pooch. It’s a popular indoor plant. If the dimpled leaves cause a canine investigation to turn to taking a bite then he will be okay.
Indoor care tip
They like 6-8 hours of indirect light and a room temperature of 65-75 F. Keep the soil moist.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Seifrizii)
The bamboo palm is another air-purifying species that is one of the plants safe for dogs. It is not toxic. Beware if you are tempted by other palm plants, because they may be toxic to your dog.
Indoor care tip
The bamboo palm prefers low light conditions and filtered indirect sunlight. They like humid moist conditions. Keep soil moist and water again when the top inch or so is dried. Doesn’t like standing in water as the roots may rot.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera Bridgesii)
It’s a beautiful sight on those dark festive days. It also is one of the indoor plants safe for dogs. It isn’t actually a cactus, so there are no spines to damage your dog’s intestines if eaten. If he is tempted to eat some of your Christmas cactus the effects could be a bout of vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. See your vet if this happens. [3]
Indoor care tip
Like bright but indirect light. Like a humid environment. Water when the top third of the soil feels dry. Allow water to soak through then drain off excess water at the base tray after 10 minutes.
Peperomia (Peperomia)
Peperomia (also known as the baby rubber plant or radiator plant) is non-toxic so is another one of the interior plants safe for dogs. Again, though, eaten in large quantities the plant will cause those unpleasant gastrointestinal problems.
Peperomia can be easily confused with some toxic plants because they look alike. Be careful not to mistake the following for Perpermia as they are poisonous to dogs: some rubber tree plants (Indian rubber plant), Chinese Evergreen plants, Chinese Money plants.
Indoor care tip
Prefer medium to bright indirect light. Water 1 -2 weeks when the soil in the pot has dried out. Regular misting is recommended.
Calathea (Calathea)
Calathea is a non-toxic indoor tropical plant safe for dogs. Calathea have large leaves and they are an air-purifying plant.
Indoor care tip
They are able to thrive in an indoor environment and do best in indirect sunlight, but they can also do well in low-light conditions. So, in this way they are quite adaptable. In relation to watering they are not. They are thirsty tropical plants but do not overwater! Weekly watering when the top 2 inches of soil dries.
Phalaenopsis Orchid (Phalaenopsis Amabilis)
Phalaenopsis Orchids (also known as the Moon Orchid or Moth Orchid are not poisonous to dogs or house pets. They are a beautiful addition to your indoor garden. Most orchids in fact are not poisonous. The exception that is poisonous is the Lady Slipper Orchid, which will cause sores in the mouth and red itchy rashes on the skin of the face if eaten.
Indoor care tip
Likes lots of bright, but indirect light. Water once a week in winter and twice in summer.
Outdoor Plants Safe For Dogs
Sunflowers (Helianthus)
Sunflowers are an attractive addition to your garden and provide no danger to your furry pal as she checks out additions to your yard. They attract the birds and the bees to their towering blooms, which for the most part are out of reach for most dogs. The flowers ingested in large quantities will most likely cause mild abdominal discomfort to a dog.
Catnip (Nepeta)
Catnip is another non-toxic plant for dogs. It is a very nutritional plant containing vitamins C & E as well as magnesium. Catnip also has a calming effect on dogs. It also works as a flea repellent. It can grow fast, so may need trimming back. It also attracts beneficial insects to your outdoor garden. [4]
Blueberry Bushes (Vaccinium Corymbosum)
Blueberry bushes can provide your yard with some shelter and give you a tasty treat. They are safe in small amounts for a dog and the bush itself is non-toxic. However, if the bush has been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides it can make your dog very sick. Watch that your dog doesn’t feast on the blueberries. You may also need to protect your blueberry bushes from birds and pests.
Rosemary Bushes (Rosmarinus Officianalis)
Rosemary bushes will give you free herbs to enhance your meals and also this dog-friendly herb works as an effective flea repellent. It is considered non-toxic to dogs and one of the outdoor plants safe for dogs. However, the flowers are sharp and could be a choking hazard. Also, as so often, it should be consumed only in small amounts by a dog or digestive upset is likely. Take care not to over water.
Roses (Rosa Rubiginosa)
Yes, these sweet-smelling beautiful flowers are not toxic to dogs. The fruit, rosehips, and flower are edible for a dog. Be careful of the thorns on the stem. They can give a dog a nasty scratch.
Fuchsias (Fuchsia)
Fuchsias are also plants safe for dogs. They are known to be sweet tasting so a dog may be attracted by more than their look.
Garden Marigolds (Genus Tagetes)
Garden marigolds are listed as non-toxic to dogs by the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Again, if a dog is tempted to munch a few petals it should be okay, but more can result in stomach upset. These are easy to grow and low maintenance but prefer sunlight. [5]
Some Common Poisonous Plants For Dogs To Watch Out For
Crocus (Crocus Sativus)
The Autumn Crocus is off limits as it can result in severe illness for a dog. Damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as respiratory failure, can be consequences of consuming the autumn crocus. The spring crocus should also be avoided. If eaten, the spring crocus can cause gastrointestinal problems. [6]
Azaleas (Genus Rhododendron)
Azaleas contain differing amounts of grayanotoxins in all parts of the plant. Only a small amount of Azalea ingestion and drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur. Large amounts can result in damage to the central nervous system. In severe cases the cardiovascular system can be compromised. [7]
Oleander (Nerium Oleander)
All parts of the plant are toxic. Serious illness can occur when only a small amount is ingested, particularly from the leaves. Oleander grows in the warmer climates of the southern coastal states of the US and in the Mediterranean. Oleander contains a toxin, cardiac glycoside, which disrupts heart rhythm. Repeated vomiting, a slower heart rate, and death are all possible consequences of ingesting the plant. [8]
Daffodils (Narcissus)
The bulb of the daffodil has the highest level of toxicity. When eaten by a dog, it leads to serious vomiting. Eaten in large amounts it can lead to hypotension and seizure. [9]
Lilies (Lilium)
Lilies really should be avoided. Most varieties are toxic to dogs. Signs of toxic distress include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. Lilies are extremely dangerous to cats.
Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)
This plant is quite common outdoors in warmer areas of the US. All parts of the plant are poisonous to dogs. The seeds/nut are the most damaging. Sago palm seeds and fronds/leaves can cause the lining of the stomach to be damaged. Outcomes of sago palm poisoning are blood in the stool, vomiting, acute liver damage and liver failure, and even death. [10]
Tulips (Genus Tulipa)
All parts of the plant are toxic, but the plant’s bulb is the most toxic. Symptoms after ingestion include diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting and dehydration. [11]
What to do next?
We hope this post on plants safe for dogs and some common poisonous species to avoid was what you were looking for. Please read on here to find out What Foods Can Dogs Not Eat?
FAQs
What are the signs of plant poisoning in dogs?
Signs of plant poisoning in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or tremors. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect plant poisoning.
Can I use plant fertilizers around my dog?
It is crucial to use pet-friendly, non-toxic fertilizers and follow the instructions carefully. Keep your dog away from freshly fertilized areas until it is safe for them to access.
Can dogs safely consume edible plants?
Some edible plants are safe for dogs, such as blueberries, rosemary, and certain vegetables. However, moderation is key, and certain plants may still cause digestive upset in large quantities. As said in this post, be careful edible plants haven’t been sprayed with harmful pesticides and herbicides.
How can I ensure my dog’s safety around plants?
Place toxic plants out of reach or consider using barriers to restrict access. Supervise your dog when they are in the vicinity of plants.
What precautions should I take when introducing new plants to my dog?
Research plants before bringing them into your home or garden. Consult your veterinarian or a horticulturist if you have any concerns about a particular plant’s safety.
