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A beautiful home garden is beyond compare. There’s so much satisfaction when waking up to the sight of fresh greenery, and visitors get plenty of compliments. Granted, if you’re a pawrent, you know your furry friends can be a little all over the place. There will be underlying anxiety about whether the vegetation is toxic to them or not. Choose pet-friendly outdoor plants for your peace of mind and their safety.
Not all dog-friendly plants are cat-friendly and vice versa, so you want to find the ones that apply to the ones you own at home. You also want to be more considerate of other pets like horses if you own them too.
Take note that not all plants are for the outdoors either. Peperomia and Boston Fern are infamously good for pets and their owners, but they fare better inside the home. Find the right balance where your greenery will thrive outside without harming your animals.
A pet-safe plant is one that poses no toxic risk if your animal chews, licks or brushes against it. The ASPCA maintains a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants, which is a reliable starting point when choosing greenery for your yard.
Keep in mind that even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset if consumed in large quantities, so portion and placement still matter. Familiarizing yourself with which plants are poisonous to both children and pets could make all the difference in keeping your whole household safe.
Not necessarily. Many of the most pet-safe outdoor plants are also among the easiest to grow. Herbs like rosemary, dill and sage thrive with minimal fuss, while flowers like sunflowers and nasturtiums need little more than good soil and sunlight. The bigger consideration is placement — keeping edible herbs slightly out of reach preserves them for your kitchen, while low-growing flowers can be left accessible without worry.
Use the chart below to quickly compare each plant’s care needs, edibility and compatibility with your specific pets before you start planting.
|
Plant |
Safe For |
Sun Needs |
Edible for Humans |
Best For |
|
Spider Plants |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Low to indirect |
No |
Easy-care greenery, indoor/outdoor |
|
Rosemary |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes |
Herb gardens, cooking |
|
Dill |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes |
Herb gardens, cooking |
|
Fennel |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes |
Texture, tea, salads |
|
Sage |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes |
Dog health, cooking |
|
Coral Bells |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Partial shade |
No |
Colorful foliage, photography backdrops |
|
Sunflowers |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes (seeds) |
Height, visual impact |
|
Nasturtium |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes |
Edible flowers, ground cover |
|
Camellia |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Partial shade |
No |
Year-round greenery, blooms |
|
Hibiscus |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Full sun |
Yes (with vet guidance) |
Pet skin and coat health |
|
Hoya |
Dogs, cats, horses |
Indirect light |
No |
Decorative blooms |
|
Cat Grass |
Cats (primarily) |
Full sun |
No |
Feline enrichment |
Here’s a list of pet-friendly outdoor plants that are non-toxic to all dogs, cats and horses.
Spider plants are famous houseplants since they are quite easy to take care of. Generally, they should only be watered once a week, but it could be even less during colder months. You can also place them in indoor and outdoor spaces, provided that they have less sun exposure.
Cas are likely to play with spider plants since they have longer leaves. They are non-toxic even when bitten. However, if you want to prevent your pet from tampering with it, try to put it on the spot with a bit more height to deter clawing.
Rosemary is a lovely perennial herb that novice gardeners can cultivate in their home garden. Your planters only need a sunny environment and a sound drainage system. Plus, it’s one of the more versatile pet-friendly outdoor plants on the market. Harvest and wash the sprigs to use as a garnish. Some people also like to create rosemary oil to add moisture to the hair and skin. Marinate the rosemary leaves in extra virgin olive oil for a month before use.
Dill is another herb that’s great for homeowners with pets. It is small but proliferates in huge amounts, requiring plenty of space in your home. Animals can make contact with it, but it’s better to keep it out of reach if you want to use it for culinary purposes. You can chop these greens and mix them with sour cream, mustard and lemon juice to create a mild yet delicious sauce for seafood, salad and more.
Another fun pet-friendly plant to add to the herb collection is fennel. Although it’s more known for its seeds, it has a feathery appearance similar to dill that can add texture to the overall look of your garden. It’s safe for various animals and quite a delicacy for humans. Harvest it and make a soothing tea or toss it in with salad.
Sage is a leafy herb good for pets, especially dogs. It offers many antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can refresh smelly dog breath and minimize infections in the long run. Just remember to prepare it properly. Dry out the leaves and add them to your canine’s food, keeping the portions smaller in the long run.
If you want to add a bit of vibrancy, grow coral bells in your garden. These pet-friendly outdoor plants have colorful mounds of leaves, shifting from purple, red, orange and green. It also has small sprigs of tiny flowers that add variety. You can take aesthetic pictures of your furry friend with this as the sole backdrop.
Sunflowers are also a beautiful addition to your yard, though they can take much more love and experience to grow. Above all else, you need a nice portion of your garden that gets a lot of sunshine and good soil. Ensure your dogs don’t dig around the area to give these flowers all the nutrients they need to grow tall and bloom.
Nasturtiums are beautiful annual flowers to beautify your garden while keeping things safe for your pets. Both the flower and leaves are edible, giving a little bit of spice to your meal. They taste more delicious when young, while they grow bitter over time. Ensure you put out water for your pet if they ever bite it.
Camellia shrubs are a nice addition to the garden. When they flower, they produce white, pink, and red blooms. They are sensitive to the cold. However, even if they’re out of season, they can still add much greenery. Your kittens may swipe at the flowers, but they are non-toxic, so you can easily relax.
Hibiscus is a quaint flower that adds so much beauty to your garden. The red blossoms are also beneficial for pets, as their extract and natural oil can improve their skin and coat in the long run. It’s also suitable for regular bowel movements and better digestive health. However, you should consult a veterinarian to see how to introduce this new regimen.
Hoya is another beautiful flower that blooms in groups. It is non-toxic to a variety of animals. Your biggest problem with these star-like flowers is their susceptibility to pests like mealybugs. However, you can wipe them with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Water them for nourishment afterward.
While it’s not exactly a plant, cat grass is ideal for felines who like to roam outside. This grass mixture involves a variety of seeds like wheat, barley and oats. It’s much safer for the cats to consume compared to regular lawn grass as long as you don’t spray pesticide on it. You can keep it fresh by replacing it every two weeks or so.
Pet-friendly outdoor plants are must-haves for every pawrent homeowner who wants a beautiful garden. Have a calm weekend watering your vegetation while your animals roam around. Relax and know they are safe and even happy.
