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March is National Pet Poison Prevention Month — a perfect time to think about what’s growing in your garden and whether it’s safe for the four-legged members of your family. At Sunnyside Gardens, we believe your outdoor space should be a place where everyone can roam freely, dig happily, and enjoy the season without worry.

There are plenty of beautiful, easy-to-grow plants that are completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. Here are some of our favorite pet-safe perennials and annuals, plus a few tips to help you create a garden that’s as safe as it is stunning.

Pet-Safe Perennials

These plants come back year after year, building beauty and resilience into your garden while keeping your pets safe.

Aster (Symphyotrichum)

Asters bring that classic cottage garden look with masses of daisy-like blooms in late summer and fall. They’re tough enough to handle a little paw traffic, and they provide critical late-season food for pollinators.

Care: Plant in full sun to part shade. Asters prefer well-drained soil and benefit from being cut back by half in early summer to encourage bushier growth and prevent flopping. Divide every few years to keep them vigorous.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are a Minnesota garden classic — tough, beautiful, and beloved by pollinators. Their cheerful blooms have prominent central cones come in shades of purple, pink, white, yellow, and orange. They’re drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and completely safe for pets.

Care: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Coneflowers are low-maintenance once established and tolerate heat and drought well. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, or leave seed heads in fall to feed birds. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Don’t let the name fool you — tickseed has nothing to do with attracting ticks. It gets its name from the small, seed-like appearance of its fruit. What it does attract? Continuous blooms from early summer through fall in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Care: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, though many newer varieties are self-cleaning. Tickseed is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping phlox is dainty but tough. It forms a low mat of needle-like foliage covered in pink, purple, or white blooms in early spring. It’s perfect for rock gardens, slopes, or edging — and it’s completely safe for pets.

Care: Plant in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Creeping phlox is drought-tolerant and requires little care beyond an occasional trim after blooming to keep it tidy.

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Coral bells come in every color imaginable — from chartreuse and burgundy to silver and peach. They’re grown primarily for their foliage, though they also produce delicate flower spikes in late spring. They’re great for containers, borders, and shade gardens — and safe for pets.

Care: Plant in part shade to full shade (some varieties tolerate more sun). Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained. Remove old leaves in early spring to make way for fresh growth.

Pet-Safe Annuals

These plants provide instant color and fill in gaps throughout the season. They’re perfect for containers, borders, and quick garden refreshes.

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana)

Pansies are cool-season charmers with cheerful, face-like blooms in nearly every color imaginable. They’re perfect for early spring and late fall color, thrive in containers and garden beds, and are completely safe for pets.

Care: Plant in full sun to part shade (they prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate light shade, especially in warmer weather). Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Pansies may fade in the heat of summer but often rebound beautifully in fall.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)

Snapdragons bring vertical interest and old-fashioned charm to any garden. Their colorful blooms — which really do “snap” when you squeeze them — are non-toxic to pets and beloved by pollinators.

Care: Plant in full sun to part shade. Snapdragons prefer cool weather and may slow down in peak summer heat, but they often rebound in fall. Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming.

Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

If you want drama in the garden, tropical hibiscus delivers. Its dinner-plate-sized blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and orange are showstoppers — and they’re safe for both dogs and pollinators. In Minnesota, tropical hibiscus is grown as an annual or brought indoors for winter.

Care: Plant in full sun and keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot, dry periods. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season. Bring indoors before the first frost if you want to overwinter it.

Herbs (Various species)

Many culinary herbs are completely safe for pets and make beautiful, fragrant additions to perennial beds and containers. Safe options include basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, dill, and cilantro. These herbs are as useful in the kitchen as they are lovely in the garden.

Not safe: Avoid chives, garlic, onions, and any allium family herbs, which are toxic to both cats and dogs.

Care: Most herbs prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly but don’t let them sit in soggy soil. Harvest frequently to encourage bushier growth and more production.

Petunias (Petunia)

Petunias are versatile, reliable, and come in nearly every color you can imagine. They’re perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds — and completely safe for pets.

Care: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly (or choose self-cleaning varieties) to keep blooms coming all season. Feed every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer for best performance.

Tips for a Pet-Friendly Garden Space

Even with non-toxic plants, a little planning goes a long way in creating a space that’s safe and enjoyable for everyone.

• Create Barriers: Use decorative fencing, raised beds, or plant stands to keep curious pets away from delicate plants or freshly seeded areas.
• Choose Non-Toxic Mulch: Avoid cocoa mulch, which is toxic to dogs and smells tempting. Opt for pet-safe alternatives like shredded pine, cedar, or hardwood mulch.
• Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with common toxic plants like lilies, azaleas, and sago palms, and keep them out of your garden entirely if your pets have access to the space. The ASPCA maintains a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants at aspca.org.
• Provide a Pet Path: If your dog loves to patrol the yard, consider creating a designated path with mulch or stepping stones. It gives them a place to go and protects your garden beds.

A Garden for Everyone

Your garden should be a place of beauty, joy, and peace of mind. With thoughtful plant choices and a few simple precautions, you can create an outdoor space where pets and plants coexist happily.

At Sunnyside Gardens, we’re here to help you choose plants that are safe, beautiful, and perfectly suited to your garden. Stop by and let us help you build a stress-free outdoor oasis.