Keep in mind that if you own lizards, snakes, or fish, your list will be different! Check your local pet store for more information on plants that are safe for terrariums and aquariums.

The key to a backyard for your pets is to focus on safety! You want to make sure that there is adequate shade and a clean water source for hot days. You will also want to read the labels on pesticides and herbicides carefully: most herbicides for your lawn will say how many hours your pets and children should stay off the grass. Even for non-toxic pesticides, we recommend staying away from your yard for 48 hours, just to be on the safe side! Your pets should have a designated toilet area that poses no risk to your lawn or plants. You can also use strong smelling deterrents to keep pets from digging or sampling plants: try products that contain capsaicin or wintergreen which can be sprayed on plants that are unsafe for them. Some deterrents contain high concentrations of garlic, which will also keep them away. While ingesting garlic is toxic to dogs and cats, the spray-on products don’t leave anything to ingest, so you have all of the benefits of the deterrent without the danger of the plant material that they might eat.

We have lots of requests about what is safe to grow, so it takes some of the worry out of gardening. We have compiled this list so you have some safe options.

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Annuals

Pet-safe annuals include sunflowers, fuchsias, osteospermum, polka dot plants, and snap dragons. Petunias are listed as non-toxic because your cat or dog would have to eat an enormous quantity before there were to experience any ill effects. Unless you plant a field full of them, your pet is unlikely to suffer from petunias!

Similarly, marigolds are considered mildly poisonous; they would need to ingest a large amount before it became harmful, but the smell might also be its own deterrent. You would need to figure out if your animal is curious enough to take a bite, or if they would largely leave them alone.

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Perennials

Pet-safe perennials include roses and daylilies. Some lists also suggest coral bells, which are “mildly toxic” – I would add that if your pet likes to taste everything, this is probably not a great choice. But brushing past the plant won’t cause illness, so this is up to you and your knowledge of your pet.

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Vegetables

There are a ton of vegetables that are safe for dogs and cats! They can safely ingest celery, broccoli, carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, spinach, pumpkin, lettuce, cucumbers, brussels sprouts, peas, and green beans. Asparagus is non-toxic, but a little too tough for them to eat, which makes them safe to have in your garden, but maybe not an ideal backyard treat.

Vegetables to avoid include leeks, onions, garlic, and tomatoes.

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Trees and Shrubs

Non-toxic trees and shrubs include dogwoods and amur maple.

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Herbs

Plenty of herbs are non-toxic, including basil, rosemary, dill, and thyme.

For smaller dogs and laid-back cats, a raised bed might be enough to keep your animals safe. A raised bed could be a foot off the ground or even more. Once again, this is going to be pet-specific, so you can decide whether this will be a good option for you if you must grow something that is toxic.

For larger dogs, you may need fencing to keep them away from plants that harm them. You can divide your yard such that they have their own space designated for play: with open spaces or paths, with all of their toys, water, and fun distractions! A dog run can be a useful option here, too. Use a large fence to create a separate space for your plants. In addition, bird netting or cloches can keep cats and dogs away from tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

The other barrier you might consider is creating a border around your unsafe plants with safe ones! Consider using heavily-scented herbs like rosemary and dill as a dense border around plants that would do them harm. You can also use this method if you want to keep the pets from harming plants by digging, biting, or playing. Instead of a fence through the middle of your yard, consider using dogwoods in a tight row. The dogwoods are totally safe, and would create a barrier between their designated space and the one for your plants.

To be completely on the safe side – particularly with new and unfamiliar pets, such as puppies, kittens, or newly-adopted mature animals or fosters, you may choose to only have pet-safe plants. On the other hand, if you have a cat or dog that is well-trained or otherwise disinterested – personality definitely plays a role! – you can use your own discretion when balancing your pet’s safety with your garden needs.