Gardeners and dogs go hand in paw, but not every plant is quite as friendly to our four-legged friends. For many of us, fur babies are our family and their safety carries the utmost importance as we choose which plants to grow. Ultimately, our yards and gardens are multi-use spaces that need to balance beauty, functionality, and safety for everyone. At Cornell Farm Nursery, one of the most frequent questions we hear from animal lovers is, “What plants are safe around my pup?”
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of a yard for your dog or maybe you’re ready to reclaim some of your pup’s territory with new landscaping — either way, this guide is designed to help you choose pet-safe plants and design with your four-legged friend in mind.
Canine Essentials
At Cornell Farm, we're definitely more knowledgable about plants than pets, but vets, trainers, and researchers alike agree that exercise and mental stimulation are great for canine health.
- Secure the Perimeter — Not every dog will try to worm their way through any odd hole in the fence, but you'll be glad you took precautions if your dog turns out to be an escape artist. The first step to dog-proofing is inspecting your space for potential issues. Repair broken fences and gates. Check for broken glass, nails, and other hazards that could injure your dog.
- Plant Just for Your Dog — Below, you'll find a list of widely available garden plants that are safe for dogs — plus, the ones that aren't. Both lists are nowhere near comprehensive, so we encourage you to do your own research and expand your repetoire of dog-approved plants. If you find one we missed, drop a comment below!
- Pass The Sniff Test — While dogs don’t see the same range of colors that we do, their worlds are animated by their sense of smell. Creating a safe environment to sniff around reduces conflict, which means less stress for you and a better experience for your dog. Prioritize pet-safe plants along garden borders and areas at nose-height so that a little curious snuffling is more than welcome.
- Offer Creature Comforts — If humans are happiest with a comfy patio set, a shade umbrella, and a cold glass of iced tea to stay comfortable in the summer sun, your pup would appreciate the same. It's essential for fresh water and shade to be available, but you could go even further and install a water feature and outdoor bed, just for your dog. If you wanted to go all out, incorporating toys and even climbing structures can give an active animal more built-in stimulation.
Minimizing Conflict
Some dogs crave open areas to run or dig, while others are happy to sit by your side and nap in the sun. Some dogs will chase birds on sight, where others are content to peacefully watch the wildlife. Some dogs will gobble up every berry within reach and munch on leaves like a caterpillar, while others will rarely bother your plants. You know your pet best, so incorporating their unique habits and needs is the key to designing the best outdoor space for your furry friend.
- Create Barriers — Pet-proofing your outdoor space doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite plants. Spatially divide your yard using barriers like gates, retaining walls, and even groupings of safe plants to help separate the pet-friendly parts of your garden.
- Create Pet-Friendly Zones — A pet-friendly space isn't just about keeping the dog out. Creating areas where they can freely explore is the best way to avoid stress and conflict. Open areas of grass, clover, or a steppable groundcover like Irish moss are great for dogs. Designing garden borders that are not just pet-safe but pet-friendly can also be a big boost for your dog's enjoyment, so try adding plants with scents and textures that appeal to their senses.
SAFE LIST
According to the ASPCA, these plants have little or no toxicity to dogs. While we don’t recommend encouraging your dog to eat these plants, these are relatively safe options for the areas they frequent most. Please note that most plants will cause gastrointestinal upset if your dog consumes large quantities at once, so you should still supervise your dog as much as possible and double check everything they eat is safe.
TREES
- Hickory (Carya sp.)
- Magnolia (Magnolia sp.)
- Hemlock (Tsuga sp.)
- Bignonia (Jacaranda procera)
- Maple (Acer sp.)
- Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
- Linden (Tilia americana)
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
SHRUBS
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
- Bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.)
- Camellia (Camellia japonica)
- Bamboo (Phyllostachys sp.)
- Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
- Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
- Roses (Rosa sp.)
ANNUALS & PERENNIALS
- Alyssum (Alyssum sp.)
- Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
- Banana (Musa sp.)
- Globe thistle (Echinops sp.)
- Patient plant (Impatiens sp.)
- Stonecrop (Sedum sp.)
- Canna lily (Canna generalis)
- Ice plant (Lampranthus piquet)
- Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
- Jasmine (Jasminum)
- Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
- Day lilies (Hemerocallis sp.)
- Peruvian lilies (Alstromeria sp.)
- Petunia (Petunia sp.)
- Tickseed (Coreopsis)
- True ferns/li>
- Celosia (Celosia sp.)
- Coral bells (Heuchera sp.)
- African daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
- Marigold (Calendula sp.)
- Irish moss (Selaginella kraussiana)
- Moss phlox (Phlox sublata)
- Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
- Zinnia (Zinnia sp.)
KITCHEN GARDEN PLANTS
- Beets (Beta vulgaris)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Dill (Anethum graveolena)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Strawberry (Fragaria sp.)
- Sunflower (Helianthus sp.)
- Garden sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Most cucurbits i.e. cucumbers, squash, melon
HOUSEPLANTS
- Calathea (Calathea sp.)
- Rex begonia vine (Cissus dicolor)
- Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Artillery plant (Pilea microphylla)
- Peperomia (Peperomia sp.)
- Goldfish plant (Hypocyrta nummularia)
- Hoya (Hoya sp.)
- Haworthia (Haworthia sp.)
- Echeveria (Echeveria sp.)
- Lithops (Lithops naureeniae)
- Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)
- Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
- Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis cassutha)
- Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.)
UNSAFE LIST
TREES
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.)
- Yew (Taxus sp.)
- Horse chestnut (Aesculus sp.)
- Fig (Ficus sp.)
SHRUBS
- Azalea (Rhododendron sp.)
- Boxwood (Buxus sp.)
- Holly (Ilex sp.)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea sp.)
- Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica)
- Gardenia (Gardenia sp.)
- Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.)
- Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)
- Wisteria (Wisteria sp.)
ANNUALS & PERENNIALS
- Buttercups (Ranunculus sp.)
- Caladium (Caladium sp.)
- Calla lily (Zantedeschia sp.)
- Clematis (Clematis sp.)
- Coleus (Coleus sp.)
- Daffodil (Narcissus sp.)
- Dahlia (Dahlia sp.)
- Gladiola (Gladiolus sp.)
- Tulip (Tulipa sp.)
- Iris (Iris sp.)
- Larkspur (Delphinium sp.)
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum)
- English ivy (Hedera helix)
- Hosta (Hosta sp.)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia sp.)
- Carnation (Dianthus sp.)
- Mum (Chrysanthemum sp.)
- Morning glory (Ipomoea sp.)
- Hellebore (Helleborus sp.)
- Milkweed (Asclepias sp.)
- Periwinkle (Vinca rosea)
- Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana sp.)
- Nightshades (Solanum sp.)
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
KITCHEN GARDEN PLANTS
- Onions, garlic, & chives (Allium sp.)
- Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
- Apple and crabapple seeds (Malus sp.)
- Borage (Borage officianalis)
- Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
- Citrus peels (Citrus sp.)
- Cherry (Prunus sp.)
- Hops (Humulus lupus)
- Walnuts (Juglans sp.)
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
- Lavender (Lavendula sp.)
- Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Mint (Mentha sp.)
- Nasturtium (Nasturtium officinale)
HOUSEPLANTS
- Amaryllis (Amaryllis sp.)
- Aloe (Aloe vera)
- Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
- Begonia (Begonia sp.)
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema sp.)
- Clivia (Clivia sp.)
- Dragon tree (Dracaena sp.)
- Umbrella tree (Schefflera sp.)
- Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe sp.)
- Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
- Philodendron (Philodendron sp.)
- Fig (Ficus sp.)
You Have to Hound It To 'Em
Dogs are close companions to many a gardener, so your canine friends are always welcome at Cornell Farm. Come visit, ask our team about locating ASPCA-approved plants for the ultimate dog-friendly backyard, and don't forget to bring your pup in August for our annual Dog Days of Summer photo contest!
Sources:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list
https://www.wagsequimwa.com/articles/10-dog-safe-plants-that-thrive-in-the-pacific-northwest
www.caldervets.co.uk/news/the-top-12-most-poisonous-plants-for-pets/
https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/toxic-plant-garden
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