- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you have a dog—or you’re gifting flowers to a fellow dog parent—it’s important to think about pet safety before bringing blooms into your home or yard. Many popular flowers are toxic to dogs, which makes thoughtful bloom selection especially important.
Fortunately, plenty of beautiful flowers are also dog-friendly. Below, you’ll find options organized by indoor potted plants and those better suited for outdoor spaces or bouquets. Use this list as a guide when shopping at a florist or garden center to confidently choose flowers that are safe for dogs.
7 Dog-Safe Indoor Potted Flowering Plants
Indoor potted flowering plants bring color and life to your home while lasting much longer than cut bouquets. Here are some dog-safe options to consider bringing into your home or gifting.
Orchids (Cymbidum, Dendrobium, Oncidium, and Phalaenopsis spp.)
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Orchids are long-lasting, perennial flowers that add an elegant touch to any room. Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, many orchid varieties bloom for weeks, or even months, at a time. People most commonly enjoy them as indoor potted houseplants, and they make wonderful gifts.
Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus spp.)
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Cape primrose is a perennial flowering plant featuring delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. It’s commonly grown as a houseplant and makes a lovely, long-lasting potted gift. Native to South Africa, this plant thrives indoors in bright, indirect light and can bloom repeatedly throughout the year indoors.
African Violets (Saintpaulia spp.)
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African violets are compact plants with fuzzy leaves and delicate purple, pink, or white blooms. They’re most commonly grown as houseplants and make excellent potted gifts. This perennial plant is native to Tanzania and blooms intermittently year-round indoors when given bright, indirect light.
Flame Violet (Episcia spp.)
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Flame violet is a small, flowering plant featuring velvety, patterned foliage and small tubular blooms in shades of red, orange, or pink. This adorable little plant is most often grown as a houseplant and in indoor hanging baskets. Native to Central and South America, this perennial plant grows best in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light.
Nodding Violet (Streptocarpus caulescens)
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The Nodding Violet (aka false African Violet) is a perennial plant that produces drooping purple flowers that hang delicately from slender stems. Native to parts of Africa, this plant is most commonly grown indoors. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate humidity.
Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa)
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Gloxinia is a perennial plant that’s most commonly kept as a houseplant. It’s known for its large, velvety, bell-shaped flowers in rich jewel tones, such as purple, red, pink, and white. Native to Brazil, gloxinia thrives indoors in bright, indirect light and typically blooms in late winter through summer.
Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus gregarius)
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Goldfish plants are tropical plants named for their bright orange, pouch-shaped blooms that resemble tiny swimming goldfish. They’re commonly grown as hanging houseplants and are popular decorative gifts thanks to their playful appearance. Native to Central and South America, this perennial plant thrives in bright, indirect light and blooms intermittently throughout the year.
13 Dog-Safe Flowers for Bouquets and Outdoor Use
Bouquets and outdoor potted plants make thoughtful gifts, and they’re a great way to add color to your own home or yard, too. The flowers below are non-toxic to dogs and work well for cut arrangements or outdoor containers.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
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Snapdragons bring vertical interest to bouquets and outdoor spaces with tall spikes of purple, pink, orange, red, or white blooms. Native to the Mediterranean region, they thrive in sunny gardens, attract pollinators, and bloom from late spring through fall. People typically grow them as annuals, but they can act as perennials in warmer climates. Snapdragons make long-lasting cut flowers for bouquets and also work well as outdoor potted plants.
Pot Marigolds (Calendula officinalis)
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Pot marigold (aka calendula) is an annual flower with bright yellow and orange daisy-like blooms that attract pollinators. Native to southern Europe, it thrives in sunny gardens and blooms from late spring through fall.
This flower is commonly used in bouquets and outdoor containers. In gardens, it’s considered a “trap crop,” meaning the flowers trap harmful pests, keeping them away from more susceptible plants. Its petals are also edible for humans (when grown without pesticides) and can be used as a beautiful garnish.
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
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Cheerful and rustic, these annual flowers feature bold yellow petals, dark centers, and long stems. They’re native to North America, thrive in sunny gardens, bloom in summer, and are a magnet for butterflies, birds, and bees.
Florists often use sunflowers as statement flowers in bouquets, and people can roast and eat their seeds as long as the flowers haven’t been treated with pesticides. Dwarf varieties grown in outdoor pots also make uplifting gifts!
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
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Zinnias are bright, cheerful annual flowers native to the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and Central America, and are available in nearly every color. They thrive in sunny gardens, bloom from summer through fall, and attract pollinators. Zinnias are a top choice for bouquets and outdoor potted gifts.
Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
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Cosmos are airy, daisy-like, annual flowers with feathery foliage and soft blooms in shades of pink, white, and red. Native to Mexico and Central America, these dog-safe flowers grow best in sunny gardens, bloom from summer through fall, and are loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Cosmos work well in bouquets and are a charming choice for outdoor potted plants.
Roses (Rosa spp.)
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Roses are fragrant, layered, perennial flowers native to Asia, Europe, and North America. With their classic appearance and wide range of colors, roses have earned their place as the quintessential bouquet flower, especially on romantic occasions.
These dog-friendly flowers thrive in sunny gardens and outdoor containers, and typically bloom from late spring through fall. As an added bonus, the petals, buds, leaves, and hips are edible for humans (as long as they’re pesticide-free).
Just be aware that rose branches have thorns, which can cause injury to your pup, so don’t let your dog chew on them.
Garden Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana)
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Garden pansies are perennial, cool-weather flowers with soft petals and distinctive dark markings at the center of each bloom. Native to Europe and Western Asia, they bloom from spring through winter in mild climates and attract pollinators.
Florists increasingly feature pansies in bouquets, and gardeners commonly use them in window boxes and outdoor containers. Bonus: this flower is edible for humans (as long as they’re pesticide free) and makes a stunning garnish!
Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)
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Madagascar jasmine is an evergreen, perennial vine that blooms from late spring through summer. It can grow up to 20 feet long and produces clusters of pure white, waxy, star-shaped flowers. Native to Madagascar, its flowers release a sweet fragrance reminiscent of true jasmine, which inspired the plant’s common name.
Florists commonly use Madagascar jasmine in floral arrangements, and you can grow it indoors in a pot or outdoors as a potted plant or climbing vine, as long as it receives bright, direct light. When grown in pots, it benefits from a small trellis or stake to support its natural climbing habit.
Stock Flower (Matthiola incana)
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Stock flowers feature dense clusters of soft, ruffled blooms and a rich, spicy-sweet fragrance. Native to the Mediterranean region, they bloom from late spring through mid-summer and come in shades of white, pink, purple, cream, and lavender.
Stock is popular in bouquets for its scent and texture, and can also be grown in outdoor containers or garden beds, typically as an annual but sometimes as a short-lived perennial in milder climates.
Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)
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Gerbera daisies (aka African daisies) are bold, cheerful flowers with large blooms that attract pollinators. Native to South Africa, they’re considered tender perennials, meaning they can live for multiple years in warm climates, but are typically grown as annuals in cooler regions.
These stunners come in many colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, and white, and are among the most common flowers used in bouquets. They’re also popular in outdoor containers and garden beds.
Asters (Aster spp.)
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Asters are perennial, daisy-like flowers with star-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. Native to North America and Eurasia, they bloom in late summer and fall and attract pollinators. Gardeners commonly grow asters in garden beds and outdoor containers, and florists often use them in bouquets.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
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Echinacea (aka coneflower) features sturdy stems topped with pink or purple daisy-like blooms. Native to North America, it blooms from summer through the first frost and attracts pollinators. Echinacea is a top choice for garden beds, outdoor containers, bouquets, and herbal preparations.
Freesias (Freesia spp.)
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Freesias are funnel-shaped flowers native to South Africa that bloom from late winter through spring. Known for their delicate blossoms and sweet, citrusy fragrance, they’re especially popular in bouquets for weddings, anniversaries, and spring arrangements, and can also be enjoyed in outdoor containers. Freesias grow from corms (bulb-like structures), which can be lifted, stored, and replanted after flowering.
Annuals vs. Perennials: What’s the Difference?
Annuals are temporary by nature. After you plant them, they bloom for weeks or months and then die. They’re popular for bouquets because many produce flowers continuously during their growing season, allowing frequent harvesting. Many annuals also make a lovely outdoor potted plant gift.
Perennials live for multiple years and return season after season. While most bloom for a shorter period each year than annuals, the plants regrow from their roots, making them a good choice for long-term garden plantings or potted gifts that last beyond a single season. Many perennials are also popular in bouquets.
FAQs About Dog-Safe Flowers
Is it OK if my dog eats the flowers?
Even when a flower is non-toxic, it’s still best to discourage your dog from eating it. Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, explains that consuming too much of any type of flower—even dog-safe ones—can cause stomach upset, potentially leading to vomiting or diarrhea if a large amount is eaten.
“Depending on the severity of the vomiting or diarrhea, secondary issues like dehydration can develop,” she says.
It’s also important to strictly avoid bringing highly toxic flowers, such as lilies, tulips, daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas, and oleander, into your home. When in doubt, keep floral arrangements out of reach and always check flowers before adding new ones to your outdoor space.
Which spring flowers are non-toxic to dogs?
The following spring-blooming flowers are safe for yards with dogs:
- Snapdragons
- Pot marigolds
- Roses
- Garden pansies
- Madagascar jasmine
- Stock flowers
- Freesias
Which fall flowers are non-toxic to dogs?
You can safely include the following fall-blooming flowers in yards with dogs:
- Snapdragons
- Pot marigolds
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Roses
- Asters
- Echinacea
- Freesias
How do I know if a flower is dog-friendly?
If a flower isn’t listed here, use Rover’s plant safety database or the ASPCA’s plant safety database to look up specific plants and confirm whether they’re safe for dogs. Also, keep in mind that fertilizers, pesticides, and floral preservatives may pose risks even when the flowers themselves are non-toxic.
What signs or symptoms might a dog experience if they eat a toxic flower?
“Signs to watch for include vomiting, lethargy, loose stool, not eating, hiding, and having an increase in drinking and urination,” Dr. Schmid says.
What should I do if my dog ate a toxic flower?
If your dog appears to be having a reaction to any plant or plant-related product, contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661, or take your dog to a pet ER.
