The ultimate list of dog friendly plants

What are dog safe plants?

Most safe plants for dogs just means anything that is not considered toxic to dogs. But, some plants can still have thorns, spines, or seeds which could cause injury or illness for your pooch and are worth considering too. Most dog-safe plants should have an element of dog-friendliness too, in that a dog could explore them (or trample through them) without damage to your dog or the plant.

What plants are unsafe for dogs?

If you’re worried your garden is home to something toxic to dogs, you can check our poisonous plants for dogs guide. Some plants are only known to be mildly toxic, so they could be perfectly safe in your garden as long as they fenced off or in a raised bed and your dog isn’t able to snack on them.

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Your dog’s habits are just as important to consider when deciding what is safe and what isn’t. For instance, if your pup considers the garden their personal salad bar, then you should avoid anything that’s known to cause sickness or toxicity in dogs because your pup is simply much more likely to explore the garden through their mouths and make themselves ill.

Most dogs usually won’t eat anything that seems unappetising, which helps to keep them safe from anything that could make them sick.

Houseplants safe for dogs

We will go through a few common houseplants first and then list other “safe” houseplants. If you happen to grow herbs inside your house, you’ll find them listed in our list of safe plants for dogs below. This list is quite extensive but in no way exhaustive, so we encourage you to research anything rare or specialist you might be growing!

Are spider plants dog safe?

Yes, spider plants are perfectly safe houseplants for dogs to be around. These plants breed prolifically and thrive in almost any environment, making them one of the most common houseplants around so it’s a good thing they’re dog-friendly. With a few of these dotted around and draping off shelves, you’re sure to start living your indoor jungle dreams.

Are parlour palms safe for dogs?

Parlour palms are one of the most pup-ular house plants in the world thanks to their air-purifying quality and lush leaves. And luckily for you and your furry friends, they are a houseplant safe for dogs and cats. You might also see these plants sold under names like “good luck palms'' or “bamboo palms”, so just be aware as long as the scientific name is “Chamaedorea elegans” it is perfectly safe for your pooch.

Are succulents safe for dogs?

Succulents make up a broad group of different families of plants, and in general, most of them are safe plants for dogs. Some families, such as Haworthia, are perfectly safe for both dogs and cats to be around, but others like the jade tree or aloe vera can cause sickness and are mildly toxic to dogs. It’s a good idea to identify what type of succulent you’ve bought and double-check if it is toxic or not.

Are cacti safe for dogs?

I think everyone has owned a cactus at some point, since they’re so easy to care for and make a nice structural decorative plant. But are cacti safe for dogs? Well, surprisingly they are not toxic to dogs, although the sap of certain species can cause gastrointestinal trouble. However, the spines will definitely cause pup-set, either pricking your pups nose or causing internal injury if eaten. So keep your cacti collection out of reach of any curious canines and you should be okay.

Some more dog-friendly houseplants include:

Dog-friendly plants and flowers for the garden

Finding dog safe plants for your home or garden can be a bit of a minefield. Unlike poisonous plants, there aren’t many extensive lists of “safe” plants. You’ll probably find that in most cases the plant is not specifically marked as safe for dogs, but it isn’t marked as toxic either. It’s a tricky place for a parent!

The Gardener’s World website is very helpful, and each plant page lists if there are any known toxicity risks to humans or domestic animals. However, you will have to search each plant individually. You should then cross-reference the plant (just in case) with other sites, such as the ASPCA list of toxic and non-toxic plants, or the Pet Poison Helpline because some plants do have conflicting information. Both the ASPCA and PPH are American though, so again, there are limitations with these resources when it comes to UK plants.

Even plants that are safe for dogs can still potentially cause sickness from overeating, thorns, or choking hazards. Plus, individual dogs have unique reactions to certain plants and the natural chemicals inside them too. In many cases, a dog might vomit after eating plants because they can’t digest them or it has irritated their stomach, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are poisoned.

On the other hand, many dogs live in houses and gardens alongside plants that are considered toxic to dogs but never seem to get sick. It could be because the pooch has no interest in eating the plants, the plants are securely out of reach, or even that they eat some toxic plant but not enough to trigger any noticeable symptoms.

That being said, what are some examples of pet-safe plants and flowers that will brighten up your garden without pup-setting even the most hungry and mouthiest pooch?

We’ll run through a few very pup-ular greeneries then round it off with a list of other plants you might own. Our list of dog-safe plants is extensive but not exhaustive, so we encourage all pet parents to continue discovering and researching new plants that are safe for their furry friends.

Climbing plants safe for dogs

Whether you have a bare fence you’d like to look more floral, a border that needs filling, or you simply desire a decadent climber trailing over your doorway, we’ve got you. There’s plenty of fantastic climbers out there that are safe for your canine companion. For example, you could take your pick from jasmine, climbing roses, star jasmine, Madagascar jasmine, and chocolate vine.

Flowering plants

Many common flowering plants we humans enjoy planting in the garden like daffodils and tulips can be highly toxic to dogs. Equally, there are just as many flowering and scented plants that are perfectly safe for your canine companion to stop and smell. Some pup-ular and dog-friendly flowers include roses, echinaceas, fuchsias, sunflowers, pansies and petunias. Scroll down to our list of dog-friendly flowers to find other floral suggestions.

Are roses safe for dogs?

Yes, roses are safe for dogs because they are considered non-toxic. A good thing too, since they are a staple of an English garden, tantalising the sense of smell as well as sight with their sweet aroma. (Which is sure to delight your dog’s powerful nose too!) You might even tickle your tastebuds with a rose in the garden because the flowers and fruits (rosehips) are edible for both you and your furry friend.

However, there is a literal thorn in the side of this one. Rose stems are studded with thorns so you should still exercise some caution. An unwitting pup may scratch themselves on thorns so it is a good idea to plant them in a raised bed or pot so your dog can’t rub against the plant. You could also fence or cover the bottom of your rose to prevent your pup from getting too close and stop any spiky mishaps.

Are sunflowers safe for dogs?

Yes, sunflowers are a safe plant for dogs and are also perfectly safe for cats too. When your beautiful blooms have finished for the season, you can even cut down the head and roast the seeds. Roasted and peeled sunflower seeds are a super healthy treat that you and your dog can both enjoy.

Are fuschias safe for dogs?

Fuchsias are perfectly safe flowers for dogs, and they are actually meant to be quite scrumptious with a sweet taste. Which means there is a good chance your dog is more dangerous to the plant than the other way around!

Other dog safe plants and flowers you might want to introduce to your garden could include: