17 Plants and Flowers That Are Toxic to Dogs

Dogs often lead with their nose. If your pup’s nose leads them to plants — whether inside or outside — you want to make sure they’re dog-safe. Unfortunately, many popular plants are toxic for dogs. 

It’s always best to double-check if a plant you want to bring home or plants outside is safe for your dog. But to get you started, we’ve rounded up 17 common plants that are toxic to dogs below.

1. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are flowering plants that come in many colors. Despite their appeal, the plants are not good for your dog. Dogs who consume hydrangeas, especially their flowers or leaves, can experience:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

2. Lily of the valley

The perennial plant’s white, bell-shaped flowers may be beautiful. But lilies of the valley are toxic to dogs. If a dog ingests the plant, it can cause life-threatening symptoms like:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• A drop in heart rate

• Severely irregular heart rhythms

• Seizures

3. Pothos

Pothos is poisonous to dogs. The popular household plant contains crystals called calcium oxalates, which release substances when chewed that can lead to painful symptoms. If a dog eats pothos, it may lead to:

• Pain, irritation, and burning in their mouth

• Pawing at their mouth

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Trouble swallowing

• Lack of appetite

4. Peonies

Peonies may look great in a bouquet. But it’s best to keep these poisonous flowers away from your dog. Dogs who consume peonies may experience:

• Depression

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

5. Snake plant

Snake plant — a popular potted plant — is toxic to dogs. It can cause poisoning symptoms such as an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

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6. Tulips

Tulips — like their close relative, hyacinths — are toxic to dogs. The bulb of the tulip plant is especially toxic, so be extra careful if your dog loves to dig outside. Symptoms of tulip poisoning in dogs can include: 

• Upset stomach

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Increased breathing rate

• Fast heart rate

• Trouble breathing

7. Aloe vera

Aloe vera may seem like a harmless plant because of its medicinal properties, but aloe is poisonous to dogs. It contains glycosides, toxic substances that can cause symptoms in dogs like:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lack of energy

• Weight loss

• Changes in the color of their pee

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8. Peace lilies

Peace lilies are toxic to dogs. In fact, peace lilies are one of the top 10 reasons pet owners call the Pet Poison Helpline. Peace lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalates. When chewed or crushed, oxalates cause severe mouth irritation in dogs and lead to symptoms such as:

• Strong burning sensations in their mouth, tongue, or lips

• Vomiting

• Trouble swallowing

• Drooling

9. Rhododendron

It’s best to avoid rhododendron if you have dogs. This flowering plant contains the toxin grayanotoxins, which are poisonous to dogs. Even consuming just a small part of a rhododendron plant can lead to signs of poisoning in dogs such as:

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Weakness

• Low blood pressure

• Tremors

• Collapse

• Coma 

• Death

10. Holly

Holly, with its green leaves and red berries, is one popular holiday plant that is poisonous to dogs. All types of holly are toxic to dogs, including: 

• English

• Japanese

• Chinese

• Christmas

Christmas holly and English holly have sharp points on their leaves. If your dog eats these sharp leaves, they can injure your dog and lead to:

• Severe diarrhea

• Severe vomiting

• Drooling

• Lip-smacking

• Head-shaking

11. Ivy

Like holly, ivy is also toxic to dogs. Both ivy berries and leaves are poisonous to dogs, but the leaves are especially toxic. Ingesting them can lead to symptoms in dogs like:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Salivating more than usual

12. Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa grows big, beautiful leaves that make it a popular indoor, potted plant. But pet owners should beware, because the plant is toxic to dogs. Dogs who ingest Monstera deliciosa may experience:

• Pain and irritation in their mouth

• Salivating a lot

• Pawing at their mouth

• Sores or ulcers in their mouth

• Lack of energy

• Loss of appetite

• Swelling

13. Oleander

Oleander is a popular shrub for planting outdoors. But if you have a dog, keep this highly toxic plant out of your yard. Oleander is so poisonous to dogs (and other animals) because it contains oleandrin, a toxin that impacts the heart. Every part of the plant is toxic; even water in a vase that contains oleander is toxic. 

Dogs who consume oleander can experience life-threatening symptoms such as:

• Irregular heart rate and rhythms

• Dangerously high potassium levels

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Drooling

• Tremors

• Seizures

14. Sago palm

Like oleander, sago palm is very dangerous, even deadly, for dogs. Consuming any part of a sago palm can lead to life-threatening symptoms, including: 

• Increased thirst

• Sudden vomiting

• Bloody diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Bruising

• Inability to form blood clots

• Liver failure

Quiz: Which plants are toxic to your dog?

15. Azaleas

Azaleas are poisonous to dogs. If your dog eats this common flowering plant, they may experience:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Weakness

• Heart failure

16. Philodendron

Many people love the look of philodendron plants’ leaves. But keep this plant away from your dog, because it’s toxic. Philodendron contains oxalate crystals that can lead to unpleasant symptoms in your dog’s mouth and digestive tract. These symptoms include: 

• Mouth pain and pawing at their mouth

• Drooling

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

17. Autumn crocus

Autumn crocus has beautiful flowers. But this plant is very toxic, and even deadly, to dogs. When consumed, autumn crocus can lead to severe poisoning symptoms such as:

• Vomiting

• Bloody diarrhea

• Bleeding in the digestive tract

• Drooling

• Respiratory failure

• Kidney damage

• Seizures

What to do if your dog ate a poisonous plant

If your dog eats a toxic plant, get help right away. Call your veterinarian immediately or bring your dog to an emergency veterinary hospital. You can also contact a pet poison hotline to get advice on how best to get your dog the treatment they need. This can be helpful, because some plants are more toxic than others.

Here are two pet poison hotlines you can call for guidance:

• Pet Poison Hotline: 1-855-764-7661

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435

When you call a pet poison hotline, a veterinary expert will talk you through what to do for your dog, and there’s usually a fee.

What plants are safe for dogs?

You don’t have to cut all plants out of your life just because you have a dog. Just look for dog-safe plants, of which there are many. Need some suggestions? The following plants are considered safe for dogs:

• American rubber plant

• Bamboo palm

• Blue daisies

• Boston fern

• Camellias

• Cast iron plant

• Christmas cactus

• Gerbera daisies

• Hens and chicks

• Impatiens

• Marigolds

• Petunias

• Polka dot plant

• Roses

• Snap dragons

• Spider plant

• Sunflowers

• Violets

• Zinnias

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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