Pet-Safe Garden Finder: which garden plants are toxic to dogs and cats
Which vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit are toxic to dogs and cats? 83 garden crops checked against the ASPCA plant list: 16 listed as toxic, with signs, pet-safe swaps, and a My Garden check.
Pet ate a plant? Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).
Listed as toxic to dogs or cats
Tomato, Onion, Garlic, Leek, Parsley, Chives, Mint (spearmint, peppermint), Oregano, Marjoram, French tarragon, Morning glory, Dianthus (pinks), Apple, Peach, Fig, Grape.
Vegetables
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato Solanum lycopersicum | Toxic | Toxic | Solanine. Drooling, poor appetite, severe stomach upset, depression, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate. ASPCA lists the plant as toxic and notes that ripe fruit is non-toxic. Keep pets off the vines, leaves, and stems. | ASPCA: Tomato Plant |
| Onion Allium cepa | Toxic | Toxic | N-propyl disulfide. Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting. ASPCA says cats are more susceptible to onion family plants, but dogs are also at risk depending on the amount eaten. Fence or raise the bed. | ASPCA: Onion |
| Garlic Allium sativum | Toxic | Toxic | N-propyl disulfide. Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting. ASPCA says cats are more susceptible to onion family plants, but dogs are also at risk depending on the amount eaten. Fence or raise the bed. | ASPCA: Garlic |
| Leek Allium ampeloprasum | Toxic | Toxic | N-propyl disulfide. Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting. ASPCA says cats are more susceptible to onion family plants, but dogs are also at risk depending on the amount eaten. Fence or raise the bed. | ASPCA: Leek |
| Carrot Daucus carota var. sativus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA notes the taproot is the common garden carrot and is edible. The plant contains psoralens that can irritate skin. | ASPCA: Carrot Flower |
| Cucumber Cucumis sativus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Cucumber | |
| Zucchini Cucurbita pepo | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Zucchini Squash | |
| Yellow summer squash Cucurbita pepo | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | Same species as zucchini and acorn squash, which ASPCA lists as non-toxic. | ASPCA: Acorn Squash (Cucurbita pepo) |
| Acorn squash Cucurbita pepo | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Acorn Squash | |
| Butternut squash Cucurbita moschata | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Butternut Squash | |
| Pumpkin Cucurbita pepo | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA lists Cucurbita pepo as non-toxic under Acorn Squash and names pumpkin as a similar plant. | ASPCA: Acorn Squash (Cucurbita pepo) |
| Cantaloupe Cucumis melo | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: True Cantaloupe | |
| Beet Beta vulgaris | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA notes large mature leaves contain oxalic acid. | ASPCA: Beets |
| Swiss chard Beta vulgaris | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA lists Swiss chard under its Beets entry. Large mature leaves contain oxalic acid. | ASPCA: Beets (includes Swiss Chard) |
| Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | Sweet potato is a morning glory relative, but ASPCA lists this species as non-toxic. | ASPCA: Sweet Potato Vine |
| Pepper (bell and hot) Capsicum annuum | Not listed | Not listed | Garden peppers are not on the ASPCA list. The ASPCA Ornamental Pepper entry is Jerusalem cherry, a different plant. Related listing: Ornamental Pepper (Jerusalem cherry, Solanum pseudocapsicum) (toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Eggplant Solanum melongena | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Lettuce Lactuca sativa | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Spinach Spinacia oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Arugula Eruca vesicaria | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Broccoli Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Cauliflower Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Brussels sprouts Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Cabbage Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Kale Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Collard greens Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Bok choy Brassica rapa | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Turnip Brassica rapa | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Radish Raphanus sativus | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Bean (bush and pole) Phaseolus vulgaris | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Pea (snap and snow) Pisum sativum | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Sweet corn Zea mays | Not listed | Not listed | The ASPCA Corn Plant entry is a dracaena houseplant, not sweet corn. Related listing: Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans) (toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Watermelon Citrullus lanatus | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Parsnip Pastinaca sativa | Not listed | Not listed | Garden parsnip is not listed. ASPCA lists wild cow parsnip and water hemlock (also called poison parsnip) as toxic. Those are different plants. Related listing: Cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) (toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Okra Abelmoschus esculentus | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Celery Apium graveolens | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Asparagus Asparagus officinalis | Not listed | Not listed | Garden asparagus is not listed by species. ASPCA lists asparagus fern, an ornamental relative, as toxic. Its berries can cause stomach upset. Related listing: Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus) (toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Crimson clover (cover crop) Trifolium incarnatum | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Winter rye (cover crop) Secale cereale | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Hairy vetch (cover crop) Vicia villosa | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Winter peas (cover crop) Pisum sativum | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Oats (cover crop) Avena sativa | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list |
Herbs
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil Ocimum basilicum | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA lists sweet basil and Thai basil under this entry. | ASPCA: Basil |
| Cilantro Coriandrum sativum | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Cilantro | |
| Dill Anethum graveolens | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA notes skin irritation with prolonged contact. | ASPCA: Dill |
| Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Rosemary | |
| Thyme Thymus vulgaris | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Thyme | |
| Sage Salvia officinalis | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Sage | |
| Lemon balm Melissa officinalis | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Lemon Balm | |
| Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Chervil | |
| Parsley Petroselinum crispum | Toxic | Toxic | Furanocoumarins. Sun sensitivity (sunburn, skin irritation). ASPCA notes large amounts are needed to cause this effect. | ASPCA: Parsley |
| Chives Allium schoenoprasum | Toxic | Toxic | N-propyl disulfide. Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting. ASPCA says cats are more susceptible to onion family plants, but dogs are also at risk depending on the amount eaten. Fence or raise the bed. | ASPCA: Chives |
| Mint (spearmint, peppermint) Mentha spp. | Toxic | Toxic | Essential oils. Vomiting and diarrhea with large amounts. | ASPCA: Mint |
| Oregano Origanum vulgare | Toxic | Toxic | Stomach irritants. Mild vomiting and diarrhea. | ASPCA: Oregano |
| Marjoram Origanum majorana | Toxic | Toxic | Stomach irritants. Vomiting and diarrhea. | ASPCA: Marjoram |
| French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus | Toxic | Toxic | Essential oils. Mild vomiting and diarrhea. | ASPCA: Tarragon |
Flowers
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinnia Zinnia spp. | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Zinnia | |
| Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | Not the same as watercress (Nasturtium officinale), which ASPCA lists as toxic. | ASPCA: Nasturtium |
| Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Common Snapdragon | |
| Hollyhock Alcea rosea | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Hollyhock | |
| Bachelor's button Centaurea cyanus | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Cornflower | |
| Morning glory Ipomoea spp. | Toxic | Toxic | Indole alkaloids. Vomiting. Large amounts of seeds may cause hallucinations. | ASPCA: Morning Glory |
| Dianthus (pinks) Dianthus spp. | Toxic | Toxic | Unknown irritant. Mild stomach upset and mild skin irritation. | ASPCA: Pinks |
| Marigold (French and African) Tagetes spp. | Not listed | Not listed | The pest-border marigold is Tagetes, which is not on the ASPCA list. Pot marigold (Calendula) is a different plant that ASPCA lists as non-toxic. Related listing: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) (non-toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Sunflower Helianthus annuus | Not listed | Not listed | The ASPCA Sunflower entry is swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius), listed as non-toxic. Common sunflower is not listed by species. Related listing: Sunflower (swamp sunflower, Helianthus angustifolius) (non-toxic). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Sweet pea (annual) Lathyrus odoratus | Not listed | Not listed | The ASPCA Sweet Pea entry is perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolius): non-toxic to dogs and cats, toxic to horses. Annual sweet pea is not listed by species. Related listing: Sweet Pea (perennial pea, Lathyrus latifolius) (non-toxic to dogs and cats, toxic to horses). | Not on the ASPCA list |
| Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Pansy Viola x wittrockiana | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Lupine Lupinus spp. | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Breadseed poppy Papaver somniferum | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Columbine Aquilegia spp. | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list |
Fruits
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Fragaria spp. | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Strawberry | |
| Apple Malus spp. | Toxic | Toxic | Cyanogenic glycosides. Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, worst while wilting: brick red gums, dilated pupils, hard breathing, panting, shock. The listing is for stems, leaves, and seeds. Rake up fallen leaves and dropped fruit with seeds. | ASPCA: Apple (includes crabapples) |
| Peach Prunus persica | Toxic | Toxic | Cyanogenic glycosides. Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, worst while wilting: brick red gums, dilated pupils, hard breathing, panting, shock. ASPCA groups plum, apricot, and cherry with peach. Pick up pits and wilted leaves after storms and pruning. | ASPCA: Peach |
| Fig Ficus carica | Toxic | Toxic | Ficin and psoralen. Stomach and skin irritation. ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic under its Weeping Fig entry. The milky sap is the irritant. | ASPCA: Weeping Fig (Ficus sp.) |
| Grape Vitis spp. | Toxic | Not listed | Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage in dogs. The grape vine is not on the ASPCA plant list, but the ASPCA People Foods page warns that grapes and raisins can damage dog kidneys. Pick up dropped fruit under the trellis. | ASPCA People Foods |
| Pear Pyrus communis | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Blueberry Vaccinium spp. | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Raspberry Rubus idaeus | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list | |
| Blackberry Rubus spp. | Not listed | Not listed | Not on the ASPCA list |
Pet-safe swaps
- Instead of mint, oregano, marjoram, tarragon: Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage. Culinary herbs ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs and cats.
- Instead of chives and garden onions in an open bed: Dill, Cilantro, Chervil. Fresh-cut herbs for the same kitchen jobs, all non-toxic per ASPCA. Grow alliums behind a fence if you want them.
- Instead of morning glory on a fence: Nasturtium, Sweet potato. Trailing or climbing cover that ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
- Instead of dianthus in a border: Snapdragon, Zinnia, Bachelor's button. Cut flowers ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
- Instead of grapes or pit fruit where a dog roams: Strawberry. Strawberry is the fruit crop in our catalog that ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
Other common garden plants
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender Lavandula angustifolia | Toxic | Toxic | Linalool and linalyl acetate. Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite. | ASPCA: Lavender |
| Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile | Toxic | Toxic | Volatile oils. Skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, allergic reactions. | ASPCA: Chamomile |
| Borage Borago officinalis | Toxic | Toxic | Tannins and mucilage. Vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation. | ASPCA: Borage |
| Catnip Nepeta cataria | Not listed | Toxic | Nepetalactone. Vomiting and diarrhea. Some cats get sleepy, others wound up. ASPCA lists catnip as toxic to cats. Many cats love it, so offer it in small amounts. | ASPCA: Catnip |
| Fennel Foeniculum vulgare | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA rates risk low in small food amounts. Avoid concentrated oil. | ASPCA: Fennel |
| Stevia Stevia rebaudiana | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Stevia | |
| Pot marigold (calendula) Calendula officinalis | Non-toxic | Non-toxic | ASPCA: Pot Marigold |
Shop seed for a pet-safe bed
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Guides
Sources
Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach if eaten in quantity. Not listed means ASPCA has no entry for that crop, not that it is safe. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA entries checked 2026-10-13. ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.