It turns out that there are many plants poisonous to dogs. However, the good news is that most dogs won’t eat most of poisonous plants.

So, before you rip out precious plants and flowers — or put off planting more favorites — keep in mind that this is a list of plants poisonous to dogs, but only if they ingest them in any way.

As one reader shared:

I had moonflowers in my yard. My dog walked on fallen flowers in the grass and licked his paws. Got sick within hours. Pulled that plant out real fast.

~Rebecca Maurer-Milota, gardener, retired,

If Your Pet is Sick Now, Call Poison Control ASAP

IMPORTANT: If your pet is sick NOW, stop reading and call SPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435 ASAP, or your local vet or animal hospital.

Most Dogs Won’t Eat Plants

Given that most dogs aren’t interested in eating plants, especially the flowers, you’re probably fine, growing most of them. You’ll just want to keep an eye out on your pet the first few times around any of the possible culprits.

For example, our editors and owners of GardenAll are growing about half of the plants on these lists, have always had dogs, and have never had any issues with their dogs consuming them. Now the garden fertilizer and organic compost is another story and has to be guarded from snuffling snouts else the dogs end up with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. 

But You’ll Want to Exercise Caution and Close Supervision

Every dog is different, and just because most dogs won’t eat most plants poisonous to dogs, that doesn’t mean yours won’t. However, knowledge and careful acclimation to the plants in your yard and garden should help you ensure your dog is safe.

So let’s take a look at some of the plants to be aware of, that your fur-buddy should not eat!

Indoor House Plants Poisonous to Dogs

If you enjoy having indoor house plants, you may have wondered if they were poisonous to your dog. There are some indoor plants that can be very dangerous to dogs and cats, or even to small children.

Most mature dogs will avoid most plants, but there are some dogs that tend to explore everything by tasting it. Puppies in the chew-and-destroy stage are more prone to get into trouble, so when you have a new puppy, place houseplants out of reach if possible.

House Plants Toxic to Dogs

These toxic houseplants are listed alphabetically, along with toxicity rating from mild to severe to deadly.

A – Toxic Houseplants That Start with A

• Alocasia:
  • Toxicity – high
  • Compounds – Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals with sharp edges
  • Symptoms – can lead to oral irritation and swelling, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
• Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis:
  • Toxicity – mild to medium
  • Compounds – anthraquinones, anthracene, glycosides (aloin)
  • Symptoms – vomiting, red urine
• Arrowhead plant, Syngonium podophyllum:
  • Toxicity – high
  • Compounds – Insoluble calcium oxalates with sharp edges
  • Symptoms – can lead to irritation and oral swelling, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
• Asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Plant parts – contact dermatitis from leaves; berries if ingested
  • Symptoms – skin rash with repeated dermal exposure; gastrointestinal irritation if consumed

B – Toxic House Plants That Start With B

• Begonia, Begonia spp.:
  • Toxicity – high
  • Compounds – soluble calcium oxalates
  • Plant parts – roots especially
  • Symptoms – can lead to kidney damage, and organ failure, vomiting, salivation.
• Bird of Paradise, Caesalpinia gilliesii:
  • Toxicity – high
  • Compounds – hydrocyanic acid
  • Symptoms – Oral irritation such as burning, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling; vomiting, diarrhea
• Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae, (not to be confused with the highly toxic Caesalpinia var.)
  • Toxicity – mild
  • Compounds – GI irritants
  • Plant Parts – mainly fruit and seeds
  • Symptoms – mild nausea, vomiting, drowsiness
• Brunfelsia, Brunfelsia species:
  • Toxicity – high
  • Compounds – Brunfels amidine
  • Symptoms – tremors, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy, coughing, loss of coordination

While you may need to avoid growing the purple Brunfelsia, if you have dogs, you can find lots more purple flowers here.

C – Toxic House Plants That Start With C

• Cactus, AKA, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii:
  • Toxicity – mild to non-toxic^[1]https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/christmas-cactus^[2]https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/4-holiday-plants-cause-more-worry-warranted
  • Symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea (both potentially with blood), anorexia and depression
• Cactus*, pencil, Euphorbia tirucalli:
  • Toxicity – mild
  • Compounds – latex sap
  • Symptom – Irritation to mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting
• Calla Lily –
  • Toxicity – high
  • almost all lilies are considered toxic to dogs^[3]https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/how-spot-which-lilies-are-dangerous-cats-plan-treatment
• Cornstalk plant / Corn Plant, Dracaena fragrans:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compounds – saponins
  • Symptoms – vomiting, depression, anorexia, excessive salivation

*Although not all cacti contain toxic substances to avoid, any cactus plant with spines, called Glochids, can be injurious to dogs if tampered with or ingested. These spines range in size from hair or needle to spikes and thorn sizes, and can be quite painful to deal with. However, the lists in this article address plant toxicity, not the painful needle or hair like spines.

D – Toxic House Plants That Start With D

• Desert rose, Adenium obesum:
  • Toxicity – high / severe
  • Compounds – cardiac glycosides
  • Symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heart beat, death
• Devil’s Ivy, (Pothos), Epipremnum aureum:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compounds – Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Symptoms – mouth irritation: pain, swelling, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
• Dumb cane, Dieffenbachia:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compounds – insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
  • Symptoms – burning and irritation of mouth, tongue, lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

E – Toxic House Plants That Start With E

• Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus species:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compound – eucalyptol essential oil
  • Symptoms – drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weakness

F – Toxic House Plants That Start With F

• Flame lily, Gloriosa superba:
  • Toxicity – high / severe
  • Compound – colchicine related alkaloids
  • Symptoms – drooling, bloody vomiting & diarrhea, shock, kidney failure, liver damage, bone marrow suppression
• Flamingo flower, Anthurium scherzeranum:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compound – insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Symptoms – irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

G – Toxic House Plants That Start With G

• Gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides:
  • Toxicity – mild
  • Compound – genioposide, gardenoside
  • Symptoms – mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives

I – Toxic House Plants That Start With I

• Ivy / Devil’s Ivy, Epipremnum aureum
  • Toxicity – mild
  • Compound – insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Symptoms – irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

J – Toxic House Plants That Start With J

• Jade, Crassula argentea:
  • Toxicity – mild
  • Compound – unknown
  • Symptoms – vomiting, depression, incoordination

L – Toxic House Plants That Start With L

• Lily / Lilies –
  • Toxicity – high
  • Almost all lilies are considered toxic to dogs^[4]https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/how-spot-which-lilies-are-dangerous-cats-plan-treatment

P – Toxic House Plants That Start With P

• Philodendron, Philodendron bipennifolium:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compound – Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Symptoms – oral pain, swelling, irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
• Poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima
  • Toxicity – mild irritant
  • Compound – irritant latex sap
  • Symptoms – irritating to the mouth & stomach, may cause vomiting; poinsettias are not considered poisonous

NOTE: Studies show no internal damage from poinsettia ingestion.^[5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555592/

However, as always, If your pet is sick NOW, stop reading and contact a poison control center such as Pet Poison Help Line: (855) 764-7661 ASAP, or your local vet or animal hospital.

S – Toxic House Plants That Start With S

• Sago palm, Cycas revoluta, zamia species:
  • Toxicity – high / severe
  • Compound – cycasin
  • Symptoms – vomiting (bloody) & diarrhea (bloody), thirst, tenderness, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death
• Schefflera:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compound – Calcium oxalate crystals
  • Symptoms – oral pain, swelling, irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Z – Toxic House Plants That Start With Z

• ZZ plant, Zamioculcus Zamiifolia:
  • Toxicity – medium
  • Compound – Calcium oxalate crystals
  • Symptoms – irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

There are likely more toxic plants that didn’t make it onto our list, so don’t assume if it’s not listed here that it’s safe. It might not be. If you’re ever in doubt, research the specific plant. You may also be able to ask your veterinary hospital, or to reach out to a poison control line for more info, especially if you suspect that your dog may have ingested part of any poisonous plants.

Some of these are flowering plants and some are just leafy. For some, the flowers will be toxic and for others, all parts of the plant can be toxic.

Training Your Dogs Makes for Healthier and Happier Pets and People

For optimum safety, it’s best not to let your dogs eat any plants, indoors or outside. If they never form the habit of nibbling plants, they’re less likely to try out the ones that are bad for them.

Is Grass Safe for Dogs to Eat?

Ours dogs like to nibble a few stalks of grass on most trips outside, but that’s a natural health management instinct. While grass can cause dogs to vomit some of the time, that may be what they needed to do for an internal purging. Grass is safe for dogs, unless it contains pesticides.

How Toxic are Indoor Plants?

Houseplants can range from mildly toxic, to highly toxic. It’s also possible for your dog to have a higher sensitivity or an allergy to a plant that only causes mild symptoms in other dogs. We never truly know how a dog will react to eating a particular plant until it happens (which is why we want to avoid it).  

Symptoms can range from upset stomach and vomiting, to lethargy, or even death. As you can see, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog and plants. Dogs are curious animals, especially when they are still young. Puppies may get into playing and gnawing on dangerous plants before you know it. This is why it’s so important to keep them safe and be aware of any toxic plant to keep them away from.

Let’s take a look at some common questions about specific types of houseplants.

Are Spider Plants Poisonous to Dogs?

Chlorophytum comosum

No! According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center spider plants are not toxic to dogs or cats.

You don’t need to worry about your furry friend getting his paws on this one.  That’s great news because spider plants are fun, pretty to look at, easy to grow, and add oxygenation to indoor air. That’s a win all around!

Are Snake Plants Poisonous to Dogs?

Dracaena trifasciata

Yes! Snake plants are poisonous to dogs when ingested, so you’ll need to be careful with this very common houseplant. According to the American Kennel Club, snake plants can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if your dog consumes it in large doses.

This doesn’t mean you can’t have a snake plant, but if you do, consider placing it on a bookshelf or somewhere else where your dog won’t be able to reach it. While a small nibble probably won’t cause any harm, you don’t want to take any chances, especially in the chew-everything-in-reach puppy stage.

Are Christmas Cactus Flowers Poisonous to Dogs?

No, but…

The good news is that the Christmas cactus (as well as its cousin, the Easter cactus) is not toxic to dogs or cats. This includes both the plant and its flowers. Because this is such a common plant to have around, you may be happy to hear it.

The bad news, however, is that the Christmas cactus can still pose some level of risk to Fido. The fibrous material of the plant can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if it is ingested. Dogs — especially puppies — might become injured by the cactus’s spine. It’s best to keep this one out of your dog’s reach. But lucky for us, they look great in hanging baskets!

Outdoor and Garden Plants Poisonous to Dogs

While we can control what plants we have in our home, as well as where we place them, it can be somewhat more difficult to control what our dogs get into outdoors. When planting flowers in your landscaping, consider what may be toxic to your dog before you do.

If you have a yard and/or garden with some of the plants to avoid, test your dog by walking him/her around the plants dogs should avoid eating. If your fur baby doesn’t demonstrate any interest after a few times of this, chances are he/she isn’t going to try eating them.

Here are some common outdoor and garden plants that are poisonous to dogs that you may have wondered about.

Are Hibiscus Plants Poisonous to Dogs?

Most hibiscus plants are generally non-toxic to dogs. However, there is one exception. According to the Humane Society, the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs when they consume it in large amounts. It’s unknown why only this variety of hibiscus is toxic to pets.

Since they are commonly used in lawns for decoration and landscaping, we recommend you watch your dogs closely if they tend to chew on plants or eat flowers or leaves. If your dog has no interest in eating outdoor plants, you probably won’t need to worry about this.

Check out our favorite fiesta hibiscus.

Are Poppy Flowers Poisonous to Dogs?

Although pretty to look at, poppy flowers are extremely toxic when they are ingested by anyone who consumes them, including dogs. You may want to think twice before bringing poppies into your home or lawn. Let’s take a look into why this one is so dangerous.

The problem with dogs consuming poppies is that they contain both morphine and codeine.

Symptoms of Poppy Flower Toxicity in Dogs

If your dog is around poppy flowers and shows symptoms of trembling, weakness, difficulty breathing, and slow heart rate, please seek immediate medical attention. Left unattended, your dog may suffer from coma or death. 

Please get your pet to an animals hospital right away if s/he has ingested a poppy plant. The vet will likely induce vomiting to get the poppies out of the dog’s stomach. The dog’s likelihood of surviving poppy toxicity will depend on how soon you seek veterinary care and the amounts of poppies consumed.

This is one flower you should keep your dog away from at all costs.

Are Yucca Plants Poisonous to Dogs?

The yucca plant can be poisonous to dogs, since it contains steroidal saponins. These substances cause the plant to foam, making it dangerous to your dog. Ingestion can lead to drooling, stomach pain, liver damage, troubles walking, and loss of control over bowel movements.

This is one plant that dogs do sometimes try to eat, so it’s important to keep your dog away from any yucca plants in the area.  It’s not recommended to use them in your landscaping when you have dogs. If they were already there when you moved in, you may be able to keep them if you monitor it and your dog isn’t going for them.

We recommend you play this by ear and always supervise your dog when he or she is outside around your plants, especially until you can be sure he isn’t interested in eating them.

What Flowers Are Poisonous to Dogs? 

Now, let’s talk about flowers. Some dogs will eat flowers, but they won’t eat leaves or green plants. There’s something about the flowers that draw them in, but many of them can be dangerous.

There are a number of beautiful flowers they that can be toxic to dogs and other animals. Being informed and aware can help us keep our pets safe.

Flowers Toxic to Dogs – listed alphabetically

• Baby’s breath
• Castor bean plant
• Clematis
• Daffodil
• Desert rose
• Foxglove
• Lilies
• Hydrangea
• Iris
• Moon flowers, Datura
• Morning glory
• Poinsettia
• Oleander
• Tulips
• Water hemlock

These flowers come in different levels of toxicity to your pets when ingested. They could cause anything from stomach irritation and vomiting to more severe reactions like hallucinations, liver failure or seizures and more.

Before letting Fluffy have complete access to your garden, it’s important to know which flowers can be dangerous. And if you’re going to bring any of these flowers into your home, it’s important to keep them out of your pet’s reach.

From plants that we choose to incorporate in our garden to weeds that grow in our yard, it’s important to be aware of some of the potentially toxic or otherwise risky plants for dogs. Here are some more varieties of flowers or weeds you may have wondered about.

Lilies are toxic to dogs.

Are Moonflowers Toxic to Dogs? And Which Moonflower… is it Ipomoea or Datura?

“The common name moonflower also is used for another plant. This one is known as moonflower vine, which helps to distinguish it from Datura. Moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba) is related to morning glory. Ipomoea is toxic and has some hallucinogenic properties, but Datura is much more toxic and can even be deadly.“
~GardeningKnowHow.com, Moonflower vs. Datura

Datura stramonium) is a type of plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family

The sweet scented moonflower vine, Ipomoea alba, is hallucinogenic but not poisonous.

Datura moonflower, (Datura stramonium) plant is deadly to dogs if ingested

Otherwise known as Jimson Weed or Datura, moonflowers may look like a harmless weed with a white flower. Be careful, however, because moonflowers can be highly toxic to dogs and if ingested, moonflowers can even be deadly to dogs.

Some of the side effects of moonflower poisoning include dilated pupils, diarrhea, an increase in urination, and difficulties breathing (either weak or rapid). If any of these signs are present, it’s important to seek emergency vet care as soon as possible.

Get your pet to the vet ASAP and it may save his/her life. A veterinarian will typically induce vomiting in your dog to rid its stomach of the moonflowers before the poison enters the bloodstream, so long as you get it to the vet in time.

“Knowing the differences and how to tell Ipomoea from datura is important because of their toxicity. Ipomoea produces seeds that have a mild hallucinogenic effect but is otherwise safe. Every part of the datura plant is toxic and can be deadly to both animals and humans.“
~GardeningKnowHow.com article by Mary Ellen Ellis on Moonflower Vs. Datura

Are Dandelions Bad for Dogs?

No! If you’ve ever wondered if dandelions flowers are toxic to dogs, they’re not. The good news is that dandelions are just as safe for dogs as they are for humans. In fact, some dog food varieties even include dandelions in their recipe.

Dandelions are an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients for dogs. All parts of the plant are safe (and beneficial) for dogs to consume. The leaves and yellow flowers can help aid in digestive support, may reduce the risk of cancer due to high levels of antioxidants, offers anti-inflammatory benefits, reduces the risk of liver problems, and may also help ward off infections.

As with all good things, however, it’s best to only allow your dog to have dandelions in moderation. However, not to worry, if your mut likes to munch on dandelions, chances are it’s only a nibble.  

It’s very uncommon for people or animals to overeat on foods fresh from nature without anything added.

Are Bougainvillea Flowers Poisonous to Dogs?

No, but…

These brightly colored flowers are beautiful, but are they toxic? The good news is that, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control, bougainvillea flowers are not poisonous.

However, these flowers do still pose a risk to your dog. These flowers have thorns, which can lead to injuries if your dog manages to get caught up in a patch of bougainvillea. This typically results in cuts or skin irritation.  

Outdoor Plants and Flowers Poisonous to Dogs

Other flowers and plants poisonous to dogs include: 

• Oleander – Though beautiful, these flowers are deadly to dogs (and everyone else). Though all parts of the plant are deadly, most of the toxins can be found in the stem. Increased or abnormal heart rate and diarrhea are the two main signs of oleander poisoning.
• Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths – All three of these popular flowers contain alkaline substances. When ingested, they can cause your dog to experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and heart problems.
• Datura – Moonflowers are highly poisonous to dogs.
• Azalea and rhododendron – When consumed in large amounts, these plants are poisonous to dogs. Ingesting too much can lead to toxic shock and vomiting.
• Lilies – A few varieties of lilies (Tiger, Easter, Japanese Show, Day, and Asiatic) are highly toxic to dogs and other animals. Consuming just a few petals of these flowers can lead to kidney failure. Calla, Peace lily, and Peruvian lilies are also toxic and can cause excessive drooling in dogs.
• Lily of the valley – This plant, is often found in forested areas, and its flowers can be extremely toxic to pets. Side effects include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and, in some cases, death.

Datura, aka, Moonflowers are deadly poisonous to dogs.

URGENT REMINDER

FOR EMERGENCIES: Call an animal helpline or poison control center.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center pet poison helpline: (888) 426-4435

• Pet Poison Help Line: (855) 764-7661 ASAP, or your local vet or animal hospital.

If you believe that your dog has ingested any toxic flowers or plants, it’s important to seek emergency vet care immediately. If you’re unsure if a plant is safe for your dog to consume, be sure to do your research or call your vet to find out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. It just might save your dog’s life.

DISCLAIMER: We seek to only share accurate, well researched information, however we are not medical professionals or veterinarians. Information in this article and website is anecdotal from personal experience or research and should not in any way be construed as medical advice. 

Please advise our editors if you notice any discrepancies, mistakes or misinformation, and if you have your own photos and experience to share, we’d love to hear from you as well.

If you have a new puppy and are looking for dog names, please visit our son’s dog website for boy dog names and girl dog names.

We wish you and your pet safety and health!