How to make your plants dog-friendly

Dogs and plants are two of nature’s greatest creations. Some plants can be harmful to dogs if eaten, but it’s easy to choose safe ones and keep toxic plants out of reach.

White and brown adult dog sitting on a light brown leather sofa with a snake plant in the background

Most dogs will have no interest in eating your plants (have you ever seen a dog eat a salad?) and most toxic plants will cause nothing worse than an upset tummy.

Still, it's best to be safe and follow these tips to create a home where dog and houseplant live in perfect harmony.

Pick dog-friendly plants

Obvious, of course, but you’ll guarantee safety by choosing non-toxic pet-friendly plants. There are loads. A few great choices are the Big Ken the Kentia palm; Musa the dwarf Cavendish; Tristan the calathea triostar; and Penny the Chinese money plant.

Browse the full dog-friendly range. Let your dog pick their favourites.

$A Chinese money plant in a fracture-pattern pot, a Boston fern in a racture-pattern pot, a calathea orbifolia in a cream ceramic pot and a blue star fern in a light grey clay pot on a desk with a black and grey adult dog sat on a chair$

Hang plants out of reach

If you have your heart set on a plant that isn’t completely dog-friendly, you don’t necessarily have to deny yourself. Put hanging plants in places your dog won’t reach.

You can either suspend them from the ceiling in a hanging pot, or put them on a high shelf. Anywhere your dog can’t reach without a ladder.

Husky dog lying on a sofa in a living room with a monstera, string of hearts and snake plant hanging in pots from the ceiling.

Use plant stands

Another good way to lift potentially toxic plants out of your dog's reach is to use plant stands. They raise the pot several inches off the ground.

If your dog is small, a plant stand should move any plant out of snacking distance.

A dieffenbachia seguine 'Tropic Snow' in a cream dipped pot and wooden plant stand, in a living room

Put special plants in dog-free rooms

You don't really want your dog chewing your plants, safe or not. Consider putting particularly beloved, or potentially harmful, plants in rooms your dog won't use.

If your dogs are anything like most Patch pets, they won't be big fans of the bathroom.