A List of Common Indoor and Outdoor Plants Toxic to Our Canine Friends

If you’ve got a canine companion, it’s important to know that some indoor and outdoor plants are toxic to dogs, ranging from mildly irritating to downright dangerous.

Some dogs ignore plants completely, while others treat them like an all-you-can-eat salad bar. You know your pup best, so take precautions as needed! And if you ever suspect trouble, call your vet ASAP!

First, let’s take a look at some helpful resources for identifying plants toxic to dogs, so you can keep your pup safe. Then, we’ll dive into lists of indoor plants toxic to dogs, outdoor plants that pose a risk, and common weeds that could be harmful if ingested.

Please note that this these lists cover common plants, but are by no means exhastive.

a dog sitting in a backyard on patio furniture with a thought bubble dreaming of eating plants. — **Spud wonders which plants are toxic to dogs.**

Tips for Identifying Plants Toxic to Dogs

If you need help identifying plants, there are plenty of resources to guide you. Online databases offer detailed plant profiles, while apps like PictureThis and iNaturalist provide instant identification from photos. For a hands-on approach, field guides or local extension services are excellent options.

Online Databases & Websites

The Poisonous Plant Database (Cornell University) - Great for identifying toxic plants.
USDA Plants Database – Comprehensive database of plants found in the U.S.
iNaturalist – Community-driven plant and wildlife identification.
Plant Identification Apps
PictureThis – AI-powered plant identification with care tips.
PlantNet – Community-driven plant ID app that helps identify wild and cultivated plants.
Seek by iNaturalist – Uses image recognition to identify plants and wildlife.
PlantSnap – Identifies plants from photos and provides care information.
Local & Expert Resources
Local Cooperative Extension Services – Many universities have extension offices with plant experts. Find your local office using the Extension Foundation’s Find Your Extension tool.
Master Gardener Programs – Local gardening groups often hold clinics, with experts who can assist. Look up your local master gardener group on the American Horticultural Society’s directory.
Reddit Communities – Online forums like r/whatsthisplant can be helpful.

Which Indoor Plants are Toxic to Dogs?

If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, quick action is critical. Contact your vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately.

Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen)
Alocasia (elephant ears)
Aloe vera
Amaryllis
Asparagus fern
Azalea
Begonia
Bird of paradise
Caladium
Carnations
Chinaberry tree
Chrysanthemum
Cyclamen
Desert rose (Adenium)
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
Dracaena (Including corn plant)
Euphorbia (including pencil cactus)
Ficus (fig)
Gardenia
Hellebore
Ivy
Jade (Crassula)
Jerusalem cherry
Kalanchoe
Lavender
Lemon tree
Lily (Including peace lily and Easter lily)
Lime tree
Marijuana
Mint
Mistletoe
Monstera
Narcissus (Including daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites)
Oregano
Ornamental pepper
Oxalis (shamrock plant)
Panda plant succulent
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Pothos
Sago palm
Sansaveria (snake lant; Mother-in-Law’s tongue)
Schefflera
String of dolphins
String of pearls
ZZ plant

a black and white dog steals a baguette in a kitchen with thought bubble saying at least its not a toxic plant — **Bodhi stole a baguette…but at least it’s not a toxic plant, so no trip to the emergency vet is needed!**

Which Outdoor Plants are Toxic to Dogs?

If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, quick action is critical. Contact your vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately.

Allium species (onions, garlic, chives, leeks)
Arum
Autumn crocus
Azalea
Begonia
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra species)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides species)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Boxwood (Buxus species)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Carnations and pinks, including sweet William (Dianthus species)
Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
Chamomile (Anthemis mobilis)
Cherry trees and shrubs (Prunus species)
Chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach)
Clematis
Coleus
Cotoneaster
Chrysanthemum
Citrus trees
Dahlia
Delphinium (larkspur)
Elderberry (Sambucus)
Euphorbia
Foxgloves (Digitalis)
Fruit trees (apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums)
Gardenia
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Grape vines and fruits (Vitis vinifera)
Hellebore
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Holly
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Hosta
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
Laburnum (golden chain tree)
Lantana
Lavender
Lemon Grass
Lemon Verbena
Leucothoe (dog hobble)
Lilies - including Asiatic, day, tiger, and rose lilies
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Locust (Robinia species)
Marjoram
Milkweed (Asclepias species)
Mint (Mentha)
Morning Glory
Mountain laurel (Kalmia species)
Narcissus (Including daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites)
Nandina (Heavenly bamboo)
Nicotiana
Oak (the acorns are toxic; however, it takes 20-50 years for a tree to begin producing acorns)
Oleander
Oregano
Pieris
Peony
Portulaca (Purslane)
Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum)
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
Rhododendron
Rhubarb (Rheum species)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)
Tarragon
Tomato
Tulips
Wisteria
Yew (Taxus and Cephalotaxus species)

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Which Common Weeds are Toxic to Dogs?

If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, quick action is critical. Contact your vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately.