As a pet parent, ensuring the safety of your furry friend is a top priority. One area that often gets overlooked is the types of plants and flowers we have in our homes and gardens. Many common household plants can be toxic to dogs, causing a range of symptoms from mild discomfort to severe poisoning.
To help you create a dog-friendly environment, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of flowers and houseplants that are safe for your canine companion.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are not only safe for your dog but are also low-maintenance and air-purifying. They thrive in bright, indirect light and can be placed in hanging baskets or pots.
Not only do these plants add beauty and warmth to your home, but they also create a more secure environment for your dog. As a bonus, they can be easily sourced in a flower and plant subscription service, to help you maintain a constant supply of dog-safe greenery.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston Fern is a popular choice for pet-friendly homes. This lush green plant is non-toxic to dogs and can be hung or placed on a stand to add a touch of nature to your living space.
Alternatively, if you have a shady patch in your garden, you can plant these ferns outside, along with other pet-friendly plants.
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are a delightful choice for pet owners, as these charming flowers are non-toxic to dogs. Known for their bright orange, yellow, and red hues, Marigolds can be planted in your garden or grown indoors in pots. They offer a beautiful pop of color and a pleasant, distinct fragrance.
Additionally, they have the added benefit of repelling certain garden pests, making them an excellent choice for your garden’s overall health.
African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
African Violets are small, compact plants adorned with delicate, velvety purple flowers. These dog-safe plants are perfect for beginners, as they are low-maintenance and thrive in moderate light.
African Violets are a lovely addition to any room, brightening up the space with their charming appearance. They also have the added advantage of being small enough to fit on windowsills or shelves without taking up too much space.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerbera Daisies are not only non-toxic to dogs but they are also known for their air-purifying qualities. These vibrant, cheerful flowers can brighten up any room with their bold colors, which range from bright reds and oranges to soft pinks and yellows.
Their large, showy blooms make them a popular choice for cut flower arrangements, allowing you to bring their beauty indoors while keeping your furry friend safe.
Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Calatheas are tropical plants admired for their eye-catching, patterned leaves, which come in various shapes and sizes. These dog-safe plants can add a touch of exotic elegance to your home, whether displayed on a tabletop or a shelf.
Calatheas prefer indirect light and moderate humidity, so placing them in a well-lit bathroom can be an excellent choice for both the plant’s health and your home’s aesthetics.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The Bamboo Palm is a versatile, pet-safe plant that can grow up to six feet tall, making it an excellent choice for filling empty corners or creating a focal point in a room. This palm thrives in indirect light and can adapt to various indoor conditions. Its lush, feathery fronds bring a touch of tropical paradise to your home while also helping to improve air quality.
However, be aware that these plants can occasionally be confused with bamboo plants, which can be toxic to dogs.
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Sunflowers are iconic, towering blooms that can reach impressive heights and create a striking focal point in your garden. These massive, dog-safe flowers can also attract beneficial pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, improving your garden’s overall health.
With their bold yellows, oranges, and reds, Sunflowers are a symbol of warmth and happiness, making them a lovely addition to any outdoor space.
Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are a delightful choice for pet owners looking for a colorful, dog-safe flower to brighten up their garden. These vibrant blooms come in a wide range of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to cool blues and purples, allowing you to mix and match hues to create a stunning visual display.
Zinnias are also quite hardy and can tolerate various weather conditions, making them an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Impatiens (Impatiens spp.)
Impatiens are shade-loving flowers that can bring a burst of color to the dark, dreary corners of your garden. These low-maintenance, dog-safe blooms are available in various shades, such as pink, red, white, and purple, creating a vivid tapestry of color throughout your outdoor space.
Impatiens can also be grown in containers, allowing you to move them around to brighten up different areas of your patio or balcony.
Camellias (Camellia spp.)
Camellias are evergreen shrubs known for their elegant, rose-like flowers that come in shades of white, pink, and red. These dog-safe plants can be used as hedges, standalone shrubs, or potted plants, making them a versatile choice for any garden or indoor space.
Camellias prefer partial shade and well-draining soil, allowing them to thrive alongside other shade-loving plants while providing a beautiful, continuous display throughout the year.
Orchids (Orchidaceae family)
Orchids are sophisticated, exotic plants that are safe for your dog and can add a touch of elegance to any room. With thousands of species and hybrids available, Orchids come in an array of colors, sizes, and shapes, making them a versatile choice for any home décor style.
While some Orchids can be more challenging to care for, many varieties, such as Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium, are well-suited to indoor environments, thriving in bright, indirect light and well-draining potting mix.
Petunias (Petunia spp.)
Petunias are vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that are safe for dogs and perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden or outdoor space. These blooms come in an assortment of colors and patterns, including solids, stripes, and speckles, allowing you to create a visually striking display.
Petunias are also relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent option for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)
Swedish Ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is a trailing plant that is safe for dogs and looks beautiful in hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of pots. This low-maintenance plant features glossy, scalloped leaves and thrives in bright, indirect light.
Swedish Ivy can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing you to expand your collection and share this charming, dog-safe plant with fellow pet owners.
In Conclusion
Creating a dog-friendly environment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the beauty and benefits of indoor and outdoor plants. By choosing dog-safe flowers and houseplants from this ultimate list, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a green, serene space for you and a safe haven for your furry friend.
And with flower and plant subscription services, maintaining a constant supply of dog-safe greenery has never been easier. So go ahead, and transform your home into a pet-friendly paradise!
