Dog-Safe Plants & Flowers for Your Baltimore Home and Garden
If you love plants and dogs, you've probably had the moment where you bring home a new plant, set it down and then immediately wonder: Wait...is this safe for my dog?
The good news is there are plenty of beautiful plants and flowers you can grow without worrying quite so much about a curious pup taking a nibble.
Whether you're planting a Baltimore garden, filling pots on your patio or adding a little more green inside, here are some of our favorite dog-friendly choices.
Dog-Safe Flowers for the Garden
Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest ways to add tons of color to a summer garden. They love sun, bloom for months and are great for pollinators.
They're also considered non-toxic to dogs, making them an easy choice for a dog-friendly backyard.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are another beautiful option if you want color without adding a plant that's considered toxic to dogs.
They come in just about every color imaginable and are especially pretty mixed into garden beds and containers.
Sunflowers
It's hard to beat a sunflower.
They're cheerful, easy to grow and non-toxic to dogs. Depending on the variety, you can grow everything from enormous statement sunflowers to smaller varieties that work well in a backyard garden.
Roses
Good news for rose lovers: true roses are considered non-toxic to dogs.
The thorns are another story, though. If your dog likes running through your garden beds, plant roses somewhere they aren't likely to barrel straight through them.
Camellias
If you're looking for something with a little more structure, camellias are another dog-safe choice.
Their glossy evergreen foliage and beautiful flowers make them especially nice when you want something that feels more permanent than annual flowers.
Dog-Safe Herbs
An herb garden and a dog-friendly garden can absolutely coexist.
A few dog-safe options include:
Basil
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Cilantro
Dill
These are perfect for raised beds and kitchen gardens, and many also work beautifully in containers.
Dog-Safe Houseplants
The same rules apply inside your home, especially if you have a dog who likes investigating anything new you bring through the door.
A few houseplants generally considered non-toxic to dogs include:
Calatheas – Beautiful patterned foliage and lots of varieties to choose from.
Parlor palms – An easy way to add height and greenery without choosing a toxic palm variety.
Peperomias – Great smaller plants with lots of different leaf shapes and textures.
Boston ferns – A classic, especially in a hanging basket.
African violets – A nice option if you want an indoor plant that actually flowers.
Spider plants – Easygoing, fast-growing and great for shelves or hanging planters.
A Few Popular Plants to Be Careful With
Unfortunately, quite a few plants we commonly see in Baltimore homes and gardens aren't dog-friendly.
That includes plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, daffodils, lilies and hydrangeas.
That doesn't necessarily mean you have to rip every one of them out of your yard. Plenty of dog owners have these plants without an issue, particularly if their dogs have no interest in eating plants.
But if you have a puppy or a dog who likes chewing on everything they find, it's worth being more careful about what you plant within reach.
Creating a Garden You AND Your Dog Can Enjoy
A dog-friendly garden doesn't have to mean sacrificing the plants you love.
Think about how your dog actually uses your yard.
If they have a favorite route they run every single day, don't put delicate plants there. If they're a digger, raised beds may save you a lot of frustration. And if they're known for eating anything remotely edible-looking, stick with non-toxic plants in the areas they can easily access.
You can even create little pathways through larger garden beds so your dog can explore without trampling everything you've planted.
The goal isn't a perfect garden.
It's a space where your plants can thrive, your dog can be a dog, and everyone gets to enjoy being outside.
At Happy Dog Baltimore, dogs have always been at the heart of what we do. And as plant lovers ourselves, we're pretty partial to beautiful gardens, too.
In addition to dog walking and pet sitting, Happy Dog offers plant watering and plant care throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County — so when you're away, we can keep an eye on both your pups and your plants.
Learn more about our Baltimore plant watering and pet care services.