Although plants and pets can both enhance our lives, they don’t always go together well. Some plants are toxic to dogs. When it comes to safe plants for dogs, it can depend. Some plants are safe to have in the house or can be used topically, but not necessarily great if ingested. Some plants are fine if ingested in small amounts, but not in larger amounts. It also depends on your dog and their individual sensitivities. It’s important to make sure specific plants will be fine with your dog and your situation before you bring them home. In general, here are some plants safe for dogs:

1. Bamboo

Bamboo is a fun, fast-growing, and popular plant that can make a good indoor plant or outdoor plant as long as it’s contained. If grown outside and outside of a container, it can quickly take over and will require some maintenance and care to keep under control.

Is Bamboo Safe For Dogs?

Bamboo, or Phyllostachys Aurea, is non-toxic to dogs. If ingested, Bamboo plants are not life-threatening. Mild gastrointestinal distress could occur in individual dogs if chutes or leaves are ingested, but overall, Bamboo is considered one of the plants safe for dogs and is usually not an issue if they happen to chew on or ingest it.

It’s also considered non-toxic to cats and horses. Just make sure you avoid “Heavenly Bamboo” or “Sacred Bamboo”. Although this plant is called Bamboo and is commonly mistaken for it, it is not part of the Bamboo family and is poisonous to dogs.

2. Catnip

Catnip is a well-known plant that is beloved by felines around the world, but is it safe for dogs too?

Is Catnip Safe For Dogs?

Yes, Catnip is safe for dogs and for cats. It is a nontoxic plant that can be planted indoors or outdoors. It even contains some helpful nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Magnesium, and more.

Catnip tends to be more of a stimulant for cats while it acts more like a sedative for dogs and can be relaxing. For some dogs, Catnip can be used to help with a dog’s anxiety. It has also been used to improve a dog’s sleep and can act as a natural antiseptic.

3. Echeveria

Echeveria is a popular type of succulent that looks like a tough, little green rose; if rose petals were thicker and more solid. Although its leaves may look a little spiky at times, they do not have spines. They are also nonpoisonous, which makes them one of the plants safe for dogs.

Granted, you still don’t want your dog to eat your plants, but this one won’t cause them harm if they happen to get curious. Also, it’s succulent, so it’s low maintenance, hardy, easy to care for, and relatively hard to kill.

4. Guzmania Bromeliad

Guzmania Bromeliads are leafy and colorful plants with some pizzazz. Instead of soft, rounded leaves, Bromeliad leaves are long and look kind of like spikes; they look like a leafier version of Aloe Vera and feature brightly-colored blooms.

Are Bromeliads Toxic to Dogs?

They are hardy, sturdy plants that have a reputation for being easy to grow. Guzmania Bromeliads are considered nonpoisonous to dogs. And, if your dog gets rowdy and playful and happens to knock one over, they don’t tend to get damaged easily.

5. Money Tree

Although money does not grow on them, the broad, bright green leaves and intricately braided trunks of Money Trees can brighten any space.

Are Money Trees Toxic to Dogs?

In addition to looking great, Money Trees are relatively safe for homes with pets. The plant is considered non-toxic to dogs, but can cause mild reactions if ingested. If leaves are ingested, they could cause an upset stomach, trigger a vomit response, or cause a dog’s tongue or mouth to swell. So, if your dog is particularly prone to chewing on things, you can place this plant out of their reach or you may want to forgo a Money Tree.

6. Moth Orchid

The Moth Orchid is specifically listed as non-toxic for dogs, which could make it a great dog-friendly plant for your home. That’s not to say your dog won’t have an upset stomach they eat a Moth Orchid, but the plant itself is not known to be dangerous to dogs. On top of looking fantastic, fancy, and available in several bright colors, Moth Orchids are also low-maintenance plants.

Are Orchids Poisonous to Dogs?

Orchids are considered plants that are safe for dogs and other pets. In fact, almost all pure Orchid species are regarded as harmless. Although it’s rare, there are a couple of Orchid species that are considered mildly toxic. The Lady Slipper Orchid is known to be mildly toxic and may cause some gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

You also want to be careful of hybrid Orchids as there may be compounds introduced in the cross that could make your pet sick. In this case, it’s best to stick to pure Orchid species and to thoroughly look into any hybrid species before you bring them into the home you share with your dog.

7. Peperomia

Peperomia is a popular houseplant that is known for being low maintenance, hardy, and easy to care for. These plants thrive in bright, indirect light, tend to bloom from April to June, and also tend to be okay if you forget to water them every now and then.

Peperomia tend to be a good option for first-time gardeners as well as experienced houseplant owners. These little plants feature small leaves along vines. They are green on top and reddish on the bottom.

Is Peperomia Toxic to Dogs?

Aside from being low-maintenance and hardy little plants, they also do not contain compounds that are harmful to dogs. You don’t want your dog to get in a habit of eating the leaves or chewing on your plants.

But, if they happen to nibble a leaf or two from a Peperomia, they will be fine. There is always a chance of some discomfort if your dog has a sensitive stomach, but this is not one of the poisonous plants to dogs, so you shouldn’t have to worry.

8. Ponytail Palm

You need to be careful with Palms as not all of them are dog-friendly. For example, Sago Palm is a popular houseplant that is toxic to dogs. In fact, all parts of a Sago Palm are poisonous to dogs and the seeds can be fatal. All of this is to underline how important it is to be careful with plants, and especially Palms, to make sure what you’re bringing home will not hurt your precious pup.

Are Ponytail Palms Toxic to Dogs?

The Ponytail Palm is a plant that is safe for dogs. It’s also fun. Ponytail Palms have a thick trunk and long, thin leaves that sprout out of the top like a wild, voluminous hairstyle. On top of adding a fun plant to your home that won’t hurt your dog, these plants are often referred to as “plants of steel” because they are considered relatively indestructible and are known for being easy to take care of.

9. Spider Plant

The Spider Plant, also commonly referred to as a Ribbon Plant, Spider Ivy, and Anthericum, is known for its long, thin, and narrow leaves. Dark green with light green striping, these leaves tend to grow up and out almost like a bouncy or spiky hairstyle.

Are Spider Plants Toxic to Dogs?

Spider Plants, or Chlorophytum Comosum, are not toxic to dogs. Although individual dogs could have an upset stomach if they eat it, similarly to if dogs eat grass, spider plants are plants that are safe for dogs and are not life-threatening if ingested.

Be Aware of Fertilizers and Allergies With Dog-Friendly Plants

These are just a few plants safe for dogs. However, every dog is different and allergies can play a role in what plants are safe for your dog. Although it may be an uncommon allergy, even dog-friendly plants can provoke reactions in dogs that are allergic to them. If they bloom and produce pollen, they can irritate dogs that have seasonal allergies, so this is something else to consider when evaluating plants for your home.

You also need to be aware of the fertilizers, plant food, soils, etc. that you are using with your plants. You may have dog-friendly plants that won’t hurt your dog, but other things you use could be toxic to them. Not only do you want to make sure the plants you are bringing home are nontoxic, but you also want to make sure any plant products you will be using will also be safe for your dog. Keeping these things in mind will help you add greenery to your home safely.