29 dog-friendly plants, according to vets

Sought after for their vibrant flowers, African violets are very pet-friendly and thrive in indirect light. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with about 80% humidity. If kept indoors, try to mist your plant a few times a week to recreate a humid environment.  

Scientific name (Saintpaulia ionantha)

An excellent air purifier that’s great with pets around, these beauties love indirect bright sunlight and regular watering. Be careful not to overwhelm it with moisture, though, as its leaves are known to turn brown if the plant is waterlogged. Pro tip: use room temperature filtered water when the top soil feels dry. You’ll notice the difference! 

The areca palm is also known as bamboo, golden cane, yellow, or butterfly palm. 

Scientific name (Dypsis lutescens)

Feathery and lush, this gorgeous, dog-safe plant also has excellent air-purifying benefits and is known to grow up to 3 feet tall. Just keep it away from drafty doors or vents and provide it with as much humidity as possible. If your fern is in an arid environment year-round, mist its leaves a few times a week to make it feel right at home.

Depending on your climate, you can keep your Boston fern indoors or outdoors. It generally grows well in a pot or hanging basket.

Scientific name (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The bottlebrush is a leafy evergreen with a spiny pink flower that can be either a tree or a shrub. It’s extremely drought tolerant and prefers full sun exposure; however, when it’s young, it needs weekly watering if it doesn’t receive enough rainwater.  

Scientific name (Callistemon citrinus)

Camellias are broadleaf evergreens that make great houseplants or hedges. They have no known toxins and bloom with pink, red, white, lavender, or yellow flowers from fall to spring. They love morning sun, afternoon shade, and rich, well-draining soil. 

Scientific name (Camellia japonica)

This low-maintenance perennial is perfectly safe for your furry friends to be around. Canna lilies add pops of tropical colors like red, yellow, and orange. Make sure they get full sun, plenty of water and fertilizer, and pruning when needed.

Note: these flowers aren’t true lilies, which are typically toxic to dogs and cats. 

Scientific name (Canna generalis)

Another great air-purifying choice for your houseplant collection, cast iron plants aren’t super picky about regular watering and prefer shade or indirect light. Just be sure not to let them sit in soggy soil for long, as they’re prone to root rot. Also known as bar room plant, iron plant, or variegated cast iron plant.

Scientific name (Aspidistra elatior)

Also called the pancake plant, coin plant, UFO plant, or sharing plant, this common houseplant and darling of Instagram is easy to propagate, hence the name. Keep in mind this fascinating little plant is different from the money tree, which is also dog-friendly. Water weekly and keep it in an area with medium to bright indirect light, or it can become leggy.

Scientific name (Pilea peperomioides)

This flowering plant or tree hosts pink, red, lavender, or white flowers that are safe for animals to be around. Crepe Myrtles love full sun for at least 6 hours a day and don’t require pruning to encourage new blossoms.

Scientific name (Lagerstroemia indica)

If you’re a dog owner looking to step up your succulent game, look no further than Echeveria. This beautiful little plant thrives in well-draining soil and loves at least 6 to 12 hours of bright light, depending on the season. Echeveria is also called painted lady, copper rose, or wax rosette.

Scientific name (Echeveria glauca)

These bright golden bells bloom in spring with little maintenance and can thrive in partial shade with little sun. They are often used as a pop of color or a hedge and are non-poisonous to pets. Since these safe plants are deciduous, they shed their leaves in the fall. They prefer well-drained soil and only need water once a week (unless it rains).

Scientific name (Oleaceae)

 Found in many garden centers, fuchsias are purple or pink and ideal for hanging baskets. Fuchsias bloom from late spring to late fall and are a beautiful dog-safe option for any home or garden. They need bright indirect light, but be mindful of placement as they are prone to scorch in direct afternoon sun.

Scientific name (Fuchsia magellanica)

Lilac bushes bloom gorgeous purple flowers and are quite a sight to see. They require direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day and well-drained soil.

Scientific name (Syringa vulgaris)

Magnolia bushes are dog-safe and known for their fragrant blossoms. They can bloom in purple, pink, or white and need full sun. Most varieties can tolerate a little drought, but younger plants require regular watering for the first 2 years to become fully grown. They also don’t need much pruning.

Scientific name (Magnolia stellata)

The green leaves and red, orange, and yellow flowers likely won’t appeal to your pets, but if they sample it, don’t worry. Nasturtiums are non-toxic and full of vitamin C (though we don’t recommend intentional feeding). These annual plants are low maintenance and are often used to drape over garden boxes. Give them full sun and plenty of water in well-drained soil.

Scientific name (Tropaeolum majus)

Fittonia has beautiful graphic foliage and is also non-toxic to dogs and cats. It prefers low light and high humidity and needs to be watered every 3 to 4 days (specifically when the soil surface begins to dry out). It also loves humidity, so when keeping yours in a dryer space, try misting it a few times a week to make it feel at home. Fittonia is also called mosaic plant, jewel plant, silver threads, or painted net leaf.

Scientific name (Fittonia verschaffeltii)

One of the most popular houseplants in the world, the parlor palm is another fantastic choice for a dog-safe household. Keep this one out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching, and keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Plan to water more often if your plant is in brighter light, but still allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Scientific name (Chamaedorea elegans)

There are many varieties of this popular houseplant, and many are dog-friendly and easy to grow. Water them based on the sunlight they get. They can tolerate low light but prefer bright indirect light. They’re tropical plants, so they prefer anywhere between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with some humidity.

Scientific name (Peperomia)

These colorful and versatile flowers are a very popular choice for gardens and yards. Make sure they get plenty of sun (at least 6 hours a day) and trim them for optimal health and beauty.

Scientific name (Petunia)

The polka dot plant looks like it sounds: a houseplant freckled with green and pink spots. Indoors or outdoors, this shade-loving perennial is harmless for dogs. The polka dot plant is also called the measles plant, baby’s tears, and freckle face.

Scientific name (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Non-toxic and easy to grow, the ponytail palm will bring a touch of elegance to any space. Despite the name, this unique plant is actually an evergreen perennial, not a palm. When given bright, indirect light and water once every 2 weeks, it can grow up to 4 feet tall!

Scientific name (Beaucarnea recurvata)

These delightful yellow, red, white, or pink blooms flourish during the spring and fall. In warmer regions that don’t experience harsh freezes, these plants may act as perennials that come back in a different color the next year! These vertical blooms look good in bouquets and containers. Snapdragons require full sun, and for those concerned with pollination, they are an important nectar plant for bees and are safe for pets.

Scientific name (Antirrhinum majus)

The spider plant is an extremely easy-to-care-for houseplant that’s non-toxic to dogs and requires little attention. It’s known for its spider-like offshoots and air-purifying benefits. Spider plants love moderate to bright, indirect light and weekly watering. During the winter months, be sure to let the soil dry out a bit more in between waterings.

Scientific name (Chlorophytum comosum)

Star jasmines are an ideal non-poisonous trellis plant. These evergreens bloom with fragrant flowers and can grow 30 feet high. They need about 2-6 hours of direct sunlight but will grow in shady spots.

Scientific name (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Sunflowers can create a natural border around your home without causing harm to your dogs. They grow several feet tall and need long, warm summers to stay in bloom. After they lose their petals, the seeds attract birds in the fall.

Scientific name (Helianthus angustifolius)

This heart-shaped succulent is sometimes hard to find at big-box stores, so try local boutique shops or on Etsy. In addition to being adorable, they’re fairly low-maintenance, needing only a little water every 2 to 3 weeks. Just make sure they get plenty of bright, indirect light.

Scientific name (Hoya Kerrii)

Viburnum are dog-friendly evergreens that bloom white or pink flowers in the spring. In fall, it has beautiful foliage ranging from yellow to red to orange. These hardy plants are low-maintenance, as they don’t require much water and can withstand drought.

Scientific name (Viburnum)

A variety of species also known as hoyas, these slow-growing vines are a good choice for a pot or hanging basket in bright light. Be mindful, though — too wet or too dry soil will quickly cause leaf loss.

Scientific name (Hoya carnosa)

White ginger is a fragrant white flower completely safe for dogs. It prefers subtropical environments with lots of heat and humidity and tends to be very frost-tender. Full sun is best, but blooms can also tolerate partial shade. White ginger can be picky about soils, so make sure it’s in organically rich and well-drained soil. It’s important to note that, while not a problem in most of the United States, it’s considered invasive in Hawaii Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources . White ginger is also called butterfly ginger, cinnamon jasmine, garland flower, or ginger lily.

Scientific name (Hedychium coronarium)