PET SAFE FLOWERS– You can click below for more info.
| Asters bright colored star-shaped flowers. Click name for grow and care tips. |
| Celosia cone-shaped annual |
| Lavender (well-drained soil–> planters, grows well in Bay Area, perennial) |
| Lillies: Day lillies (bulbs perennial) |
| Marigolds bright orange (annual) more info about different strains as not all are fully pet-safe |
| Sage (shade, perennial): Red salvia or scarlet sage (deters bugs like slugs) |
| Orchids (perennial but delicate, sunlight) |
| Petunias (perennial but delicate, sunlight) |
| Roses (perennial but delicate, sunlight) |
| Snapdragons (perennial but delicate, sunlight) |
| Sunflower (sun, don’t over water, separate from other plants especially potatoes and beans, perennial small, common=annual) |
| Alyssum (may attract baby bees but deters aphids) |
| Zinnia (attracts ladybugs, recommend: plant from seed, annual) |
ASTER
Asters are pet-friendly, perennial daisy-like flowers that blossom with flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white. They have been know to attract pollinators like birds, butterflies, and bees. Some popular aster varieties are:
| Bluebird smooth aster (lavendar spikey) |
| Heath aster (white like daisy) |
| Lady in Black calico aster (pink and white) |
| New England aster (lavendar spikey) |
| New York aster (lavendar spikey) |
| October skies aromatic aster (lavendar spikey) |
| White wood aster (white spikey) |
CELOSIA
Celosia are flowering annuals that grow in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow with leaves of equally stunning colors, ranging from blue, chartreuse green, purple, gold, and burgundy. Some celosia varieties bloom in the summer while some favor fall or autumn season. There are three groups of celosia:
- Celosia cristata- crested type that include Toreador, Chief Series, Neo gold, and Bombay Fire
- Celosia plumose- plume type that include Sylphid, Apricot Brandy, Sunday Red, and Ice Cream Salmon (hmm, I wonder how they got these name… lox and cream cheese?)
- Celosia spicata- spike or wheat type and include Flamingo Feathers, Glowing Spear Mix, Celway, and Kosmo Purple Red.
LILIES
The ASPCA has classified lilium species as non-toxic to only dogs and horses. Unfortunately, they are deemed super deadly to cats. Lilies may pose a risk of severe kidney failure or even death to our feline friends should they consume two or three petals or leaves or even water from a vase. The Pet Poison Hotline says there are benign and dangerous kinds of lilies, which of course, all pet guardians should know about:
Benign lilies include:
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – A popular indoor plant with attractive white blooms known for its hardiness and ability to thrive despite occasional neglect
- Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) – Also called Lily of the Incas, you’re more familiar to these dainty flowers as alstroemeria.
Dangerous lilies:
Beware of these types of lilies or true lilies as they can put your pets in dire medical situations. Lethargy, vomiting, drooling, dehydration, uncontrollable urination or thirst, and seizures are tell-tale signs of toxic exposure in pets. Check out our other blog entry for a list of TOXIC PLANTS TO PETS.
- Easter lily
- Lily of the valley
- Rubrum lily
- Stargazer lily
- Tiger lily
- Calla lily
MARIGOLDS
These annual flowering plants that resemble daisies and carnations, come different shades of gold, copper, and orange. Marigolds are as NATURAL INSECT REPELLENTS against mosquitoes and other nasty bugs while being completely pet friendly. We did find in our research that some variants of marigolds can cause digestive upset and for that reason we have restricted inclusion to calendula.
Marigolds have 56 species divided into two genera, Tagetes and Calendula, including popular varieties of:
| Baileya multiradiata |
| Calendula officinalis (orange- ok) |
| Calendula officinalis Bon Bon Mix (yellow orange) |
| Caltha palustris (small yellow) |
| Janie Deep Orange Marigold (orange fluffy) |
| Marigold Colossus (orange, yellow fluffy) |
| Marigold Mr. Majestic Double (burgandy yellow) |
| Park’s Whopper Yellow Marigold (deep yellow) |
| Tagetes Cottage Red (red & orange) |
| Tagetes erect Antigua Orange |
| Tagetes erect Discovery Orange |
| Tagetes erect Doubloon (yellow) |
| Tagetes erect Inca Yellow |
| Tagetes erecta Inca Primrose |
| Tagetes erecta Moonstruck Series (yellow) |
| Tagetes erecta Sweet Cream (white) |
| Tagetes Patula Aurora Light Yellow |
| Tagetes Patula Safari Red |
ORCHIDS
The ASPCA and other animal protection groups agree that members of the Orchidaceae family are pet-friendly and safe. It is my understanding that orchids can be high maintenance and delicate plants, so I do not know if they would thrive or even survive in the typical Bay Area garden. And if you want to deter animals from nibbling on colorful members of your garden, you could dust the orchid leaves with cinnamon powder or cayenne pepper. Most animals will not like the smell and will, therefore, leave your precious orchids alone.
This includes the following orchid species:
| Brazilian Orchid |
| Christmas Orchid or Old World Orchid |
| Cocktail Orchid |
| Crimson Orchid or Ruby-lipped Orchid |
| Dancing Doll Orchid |
| Easter Orchid |
| Fiery Reed Orchid |
| Florida Butterfly Orchid |
| Ghost Leafless Orchid or Leafless ghost orchid |
| Golden Lace Orchid or Jewel Orchid |
| Golden Shower Orchid |
| King of the Forest Orchid |
| Lace Orchid |
| Leopard Orchid or Tiger Orchid |
| Lily of the Valley Orchid Pansy Orchid |
| Phalaenopsis Orchid, also known as, Moth Orchid, Moon Orchid |
| Rainbow Orchid Scarlet Orchid |
| Spice Orchid |
| Tailed Orchid |
PETUNIAS
Petunias grow wildly particularly during summer months.They are listed under ASPCA’s non-toxic flowers for pets and bloom in a range of vibrant colors except true blue. There are four major types of petunia:
- Grandiflora- can be tallish (5 inches) and include Ultra, Dream, Storm, Daddy, Supermagic, Supercascade.
- Multiflora – Smaller plants with numerous flowers that thrive in windy climates and include Primetime, Celebrity, Carpet, Horizon, and Mirage.
- Milliflora – Miniature petunias that are best grown in hanging baskets and include Picobella and Fantasy.
- Spreading or Wave – These petunias have the ability to spread up to four feet across, making them wonderful ground covers and include Easy wave, Shock Wave, Avalanche.
ROSES
CAUTION: Although many species of true roses are safe to have around dogs, cats, and even horses; not all plants or flowers with roses attached to their names are as innocent. Primrose, Christmas rose, desert rose, rosebay, and moss rose (a succulent) may be toxic to your pet, especially if ingested. It may also be worth noting the obvious that thorns of typical long-stemmed roses may be hazardous to your pets since they can cause scratches and wounds if your pet were to pounce or roll in them.
SUNFLOWER*
Popular for their bright yellow petals and yummy seeds, sunflowers can be eaten or taken medicinally or recreationally without adverse effects. Its leaves and petals are frequently used as tinctures for loosening up phlegm and coughing. Sunflower seeds, as you well know, are not just tasty snacks but excellent sources of beneficial minerals, such as manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, and niacin. NOTE: The big sunflowers need to be planted yearly (annuals) but the little and lesser known ones are perennials.
ZINNIA
A pet-friendly member of the daisy family, zinnia is a prolific bloomer, especially during summertime. Zinnia comes in a wide array of colors, including purple, lilac, red, and multi-colored. Popular zinnia varieties include:
- Envy
- Carousel Mix
- Will Rogers (red)*
- Canary Bird (yellow)*
- Cherry Queen (red)*
- Liliput (multi)*
- Luminosa Pink
- Oriole (orange)
- Persian Carpet (deep rich colors)*
- Purple Prince
- Red Spider
- State Fair (bright multi)
- Thumbelina (bright multi)
Lovie’s Pet Safe Plant Picks
Lovie loves having a pet safe sensory sanctuary filled with flora he can sniff, chew, and rub against without threat of harm. His person, Kamala created a list of plants, especially flowering plants that grow well in containers, most of which are drought tolerant (a top consideration for California residents), perennial (so you can have color and life year-round), and many repel rats (yes, we love animals but not sewer rats).
Check out Kamala & Lovie’s growing list of Pet Safe Outdoor Container Plants.
Text Description of PET SAFE GARDEN video
Shot 1: low angle shot of Lovie the little red rescue laying down on artificial grass in backyard. The title reads “Pet Friendly Garden Tips”. Old school hip hop music plays (scratching).
Shot 2: There is a blue wipe across from left to right to reveal the featured image shot of high angle long shot of Lovie the rescue dog sitting in the pet safe garden by various pet-friendly plants including: pineapple sage, petunias, and a lemon bush. You an see part of the redwood fence and artificial grass (to conserve water).The title says “pet safe gardens”. The image is on the right and the title is on the left.
Shot 3: The is a white wipe from the bottom to the top. There is a split frame shot with white and pink cosmos flowers on the (camera) left side and purple mini snap dragons on the right side. The title reads “pet safe flowers”.
Shot 4: There is a wipe from both sides to the middle. The background is sky blue with white text saying “non toxic” in all caps.
Shot 5: The same high angle long shot of Lovie the rescue dog sitting in the pet safe garden by various pet-friendly plants including: pineapple sage, petunias, and a lemon bush. You an see part of the redwood fence and artificial grass (to conserve water). This time it is full frame.
Shot 6: Eye level shot of Lovie in the sun in the midground. He is in front of the lemon bush in the background with catchfly flowers in the foreground.
Shot 7: High angle long shot of Lovie by some bright pink catch fly flowers, some cosmos, and pink mini snap dragons in a series of planter boxes.
Shot 8: Bright blue wipe from left to right to reveal a close up of bright pink catchfly flowers on the right side of the frame. The titles on the left read “safe for dogs and cats”.
Shot 9: The final shot is a medium close up of a pineapple sage plant in full bloom with bright red tubular flowers. The Pets Cango logo appears in front with a bright blue background.
