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Looking to spruce up your garden or balcony, but unsure which plants are safe for dogs? We’ve done some of the legwork for you with this list of 15 dog-safe plants and garden favorites that will add beauty and color to your yard without posing any threat to your pup.
Keep in mind the varieties on this list are specific—for example, while African daisies may be harmless to dogs, other varieties of daisies are considered toxic. If you’re interested in learning about what plants are poisonous to cats, or about other plants not on this list that may be poisonous to pets, check out our guide Poisonous Plants to Dogs and Cats.
15 Dog-Safe Plants for Color, Variety, and Fragrance
Many of these dog-safe plants are available at your local home and garden or hardware store as seeds, starts, or potted plants. You can also find good deals on seeds online at Burpee, Amazon, and other gardening sites.
These flowering shrubs take some work to establish, but once they’re firmly rooted in your garden, they’ll keep coming back each year with little effort.
Camellias prefer partial shade, and mature plants are able to survive with little watering. If the plant is brand new, it will require some watering to establish its roots.Find on Amazon
Culinary dill is obviously safe for humans, but this feathery weed is also a dog-safe plant. This herb goes well in creamy dressings, soups, and meats. Just make sure you give it plenty of room to grow—these plants get bigger than you would expect.Find on Amazon
These flowers aren’t just beautiful—they also help bring bees to your garden and act as a form of natural pest control that can deter beetles and other harmful bugs from infesting your edible plants. Their stunning, sun-like blooms aren’t too bad either. A dog-safe plant that’s a win-win all around!Find on Amazon
These elegant pink and purple flowers look great in hanging baskets outdoors. They do best in mild, temperate climates like the Pacific Northwest, and they can remain in bloom from late spring to late fall.Find on Amazon
Most people think of large, stately trees when they picture magnolias, but this dog-safe plant also grows as a bush. Most magnolia bushes offer spectacular flowers in purple, pink, or white. They do well in full sun if you can give it to them.Find on Amazon
This gorgeous variety of basil whips up into a delicious (purple) pesto and also brings stunning color to your garden beds. Plant these guys after all chance of frost is over, and give them plenty of water and a place in the sun. Cut and eat what you want, and you and your dog can enjoy it in the garden until the first frost of the year.Find on Amazon
Another practical herb that won’t harm your pets, thyme is a perennial plant that doesn’t need a lot of attention and is a great ground cover. Just a little water and sun, and it’s good to go. This herb pairs well with roasted vegetables, meat, soups, and potatoes.Find on Amazon
Sunflowers are the epitome of summer. This annual plant is available in a huge range of sizes and colors. These dog-safe plants can grow several feet tall, make a great border along fences or in front of the house, and love a sunny spot with plenty of water. As sunflowers lose their bright petals, the seeds mature and attract birds through the fall.Find on Amazon
All rosemary is suitable for culinary use and is considered a dog-safe plant, but a creeping variety is a hardy way to fill empty spaces in your yard with a low, fluffy cloud of evergreen. The trailing stems look especially beautiful cascading over the edge of a raised bed or container. This sun-loving ground cover will release a waft of scent whenever your dog scampers through.Find on Amazon
Coral bells grow low mounds of leaves in a range of shades from green to orange to black, with small sprigs of tiny flowers on long stems waving far above. There are many varieties to choose from, but this variegated variety is a real stunner.Find on Amazon
Pineapple sage smells amazing, attracts hummingbirds with its pink tubular flowers, and is a tasty addition to everything from fruit salads and salsas to sangria. It’s generally considered an annual but may come back in spring if your winter is mild enough.Find on Amazon
This low-growing, shade-loving, dog-safe plant adds a splash of pink all summer long. It’s perennial in warm climates and even makes for a nice houseplant.Find on Amazon
This tasty bulb has beautiful feathery foliage and the flavor of licorice. While it’s safe for dogs, it’s even better for humans: it’s delicious grilled and makes a fragrant addition to salads. The seeds are a great breath freshener and make a soothing tea.Find on Amazon
Everyone loves a sunny snapdragon patch. These dog-safe plants are easy to grow from seed in full sun, and produce a range of colors from yellow to red on tall stems. They make great cut flower arrangements too.Find on Amazon
Nasturtiums are my favorite annual flowers to grow for a few reasons. The flowers are edible and have a surprising spicy flavor. Nasturtiums grow in poorer soils and they do not need fertilizers, so you can plant them in the odd spots in your yard. They drape down garden boxes and rock walls with colorful elegance, and they smell like heaven.Find on Amazon
No matter how you garden, whether it’s in a big, beautiful backyard or on a sunny windowsill, we hope it’s always relaxing for you and safe for your pets. Happy planting!
Which Plants Aren’t Dog-Safe?
Now that you have 15 great options for your garden, you may be wondering if the plants you already have in your yard or home are safe for your furry friend. Never fear! We compiled a series of region-specific lists that look at common wild and landscaping plants dangerous for dogs in the U.S.
Kiki Kane is a canine chef, professional blogger, and lifelong animal lover owned by a Frenchie-Boston mix named Bea Pickles and a geriatric kitty named Mogwai. As a dog chef and member of Rover’s Dog People Panel, she creates original dog-friendly recipes for the web series Kiki’s Canine Kitchen.
You might think concrete is better suited for sidewalks, but the truth is that one-of-a-kind concrete kitchen countertops can create a unique cooking space. Concrete countertops work well in kitchens ranging from modern to rustic, making them a versatile option for a number of kitchen designs.
Concrete can be formed with an “organic,” natural feel, with a down-to-earth quality that is not common to stainless steel, laminate or other synthetic countertops. Each concrete countertop is handmade. If you know how to stain concrete, the countertop can incorporate almost any color. Textures, and even patterned imprints like floral designs, can also be added. Concrete countertops can also be embedded with stones, seashells and other items that appeal to you.
These countertops are also fairly eco-friendly, making them an appealing choice to homeowners focused on environmental issues. Concrete countertops can even incorporate recycled glass, wood chips and other repurposed materials.
Maintenance is fairly easy; concrete countertops should be waxed every six months and sealed annually. Certain food and drink products, like lemon juice, wine, ketchup and other dye-heavy items can stain concrete countertops, so be sure to clean spills immediately to avoid staining.
Window screens are an effective, simple way to keep bugs and pests out of the home while inviting fresh air indoors. Plus, screens can help filter sun and dampen outside noise. Unfortunately, the screens or their frames can be damaged easily. Wood window frames can shrink, while vinyl or aluminum window frames can warp, causing the screen joints to loosen and the screen mesh to sag.
Minor holes and tears in the window screen mesh are also common problems. Use screen repair tools like adhesive, spline rollers and pre-manufactured patches to patch a window screen in three easy steps. This guide will teach you how to replace and repair your window screens.
Tip: Retain the bent, old screen spline if it’s flexible and can be shifted back into place. If not, purchase a new window screen spline for a longer-lasting window frame repair. Jump to Specific Section
How to Replace a Window Screen
Severe damage to your window screen is a clear sign that you need to replace them. Screens with large holes and rips should be replaced, not patched. If your screen mesh is shiny, rather than dark and matte, or you’re noticing more outside noise than usual, these are also signs that the mesh is old and worn and should be replaced.
Replacing window screens will improve both the look and security of your home. The steps to learn how to replace window screen mesh are similar for both wood windows and aluminum windows.
Tip: If the window is difficult to open and close, the window screen’s frame may be bent out of place. In this case, you may need to replace the frame as well as the screen mesh with a pre-framed window screen.
Remove Damaged Screen Mesh
Remove the screen from the window and lay it on a flat work surface.
Using a slotted or flathead screwdriver, pry the window screen spline from the grooves around the edge of the frame.
Wooden screen frames may use staples or nails to hold the mesh in place. Pry out the staples using a staple remover or your screwdriver. Use a claw hammer to remove nails.
Remove and dispose of the damaged screen mesh.
Stretch and Cut New Screen Mesh
Roll out and stretch a new roll of screen over the window frame, pulling it so that it overlaps the frame’s retaining grooves.
Leave extra screen overhanging the frame so you can secure it tightly in the next step.
Cut the screen using scissors.
Tip: You may need another person to help you hold the screen mesh in place while you cut.
Secure Screen Mesh
Use a spline roller to press the spline and screen into the frame’s retaining grooves.
For a wooden screen frame, staple the mesh into place or nail it into place with wire brads.
Once secured, the mesh should be taut, but not over-stretched, across the frame.
Trim Excess Screen Mesh
After securing all four sides of the mesh, trim away the extra material using a utility knife or scissors.
Take care not to cut into the spline.
Tip: Now’s a good time to reinforce any loose joints on wooden frames with fasteners, angle plates or screws.
Replace Screen
Reinstall the completed window screen to your window.
How to Repair a Window Screen
Minor holes and tears in window screening are easily fixed with glue and pre-manufactured patches. You usually won’t have to remove the window screen unit to make the repair.
Measure: Big holes in window screens are much harder to repair. Measure your patch to ensure it can be repaired effectively and will not affect the functionality or appearance of the window screen.
Cut the hole: Cut the screen’s hole into a neat square. Bend the edges of the hole so that the cut ends of the mesh will penetrate the patch.
Cut a patch from screening mesh: Using your measurements, cut a mesh patch that is about 1/2-inch bigger than the hole on every side. If you’re using a patch kit, use one of the pre-cut patches or cut it to size as needed.
Affix patch over hole: Place the screen patch over the hole in the plastic or fiberglass screen. The hole needs to be completely covered. While wearing work gloves, press the bent edges of the screen hole flat, so it holds the patch in place.
Secure patch: The edges of the patch should be secured with waterproof glue used sparingly. Wipe away any drips before the glue hardens. A fiberglass screen can also be fixed by sewing a patch over the hole and then securing with glue.
Tip: Tiny holes in window screens can be fixed without a patch. Use waterproof instant adhesive to close a hole in nylon or fiberglass screens. Use epoxy to repair a small hole in metal screens.
Repair or replace your window screens to enjoy the fresh air again without the intrusion of pests. When an adhesive or patch won’t suffice, replacing a window screen completely is the most cost-effective and attractive solution. For more complex problems, use The Home Depot to find a professional in your area that can provide window and door screen repair solutions.
