We’re well into the spring season which means one thing – it’s
time to get planting! If you plan on doing some gardening this season, why not
fill your garden with dog-friendly plants? We’ve put together a list of some of
our favorite pet-safe plants, including a few that stand up well to even the
most rambunctious pup.

Camellia

This beautiful flowering shrub originates in eastern and southern Asia but has become popular worldwide with gardeners looking for an easy to care for evergreen. Their vibrant flowers bloom in early spring, but their green leaves stick around all year, making them a great pet-safe plant to give your garden a pop of color throughout the colder months.

Camellia gardening tips:

• Can be planted in the fall or early spring
• Plant in partial shade, preferably with
  afternoon sun
• Until its roots are established, give them a
  generous amount of water
• After its roots are established, very little
  water is required

Purple Basil

Purple basil is a fun alternative to the traditional green
variety that can be used to add some color to your garden. Not only can it be
harvested and used to make a delicious sauce, but it also gives your garden a
nice herby aroma. Basil is completely pet-safe, but if your pup does decide to
take a nibble they can benefit from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties.

Purple basil gardening tips:

• Hold off planting until after the chance of
  morning frost is gone
• Plant in an area that gets full sun
• Requires plenty of water

Creeping thyme

Creeping thyme is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can handle some foot traffic – perfect for pet parents who have dogs that can’t resist a romp through the garden. It comes in white, pink, rose and rose-red varieties, so there are plenty of color options to choose from. As their name suggests, creeping thyme tends to spread throughout the garden it’s planted in so don’t be afraid to cut it back if you want to keep it contained.

Creeping thyme gardening tips:

• Very drought resistant so requires minimal
  water
• If it gets too much water, it’s prone to root
  rot
• Prefer full sun, but can also do well in
  partial shade

Sunflowers

If you need a plant that your dog can’t trample, sunflowers are
your best bet. These giant flowers can grow to be several feet tall and come in
several colors in addition to the classic yellow. The great thing about
sunflowers is that they can be easily grown in pots and transplanted into the
ground when they’re big enough to survive around your pup.

Sunflower gardening tips:

• Plant between April and May
• They love the sun, so plant in an area with
  lots of light throughout the day
• Need a moderate amount of water – it’s
  recommended to water them once a week until the first 6 inches of soil is wet

Natria Neem Oil

No plant is immune to pests, and with a dog running around your yard you’ll want to avoid using chemical pesticides. Made from oil extracted from the seeds of the tropical neem tree, neem oil is a great all-natural alternative to traditional pesticides. Natria’s Neem Oil comes in a convenient spray bottle, making it easy to target the areas of your garden where you’re struggling with pests.

Neem oil is just one of the many pet-safe products you can use to help your garden look its best this summer – take a look at the full list of our favorite pet-friendly lawn and garden care products.

If you want to learn about other pet-friendly plants you can grow indoors and outdoors, check out these eight other pet-safe houseplants. All of the plants on that list – and this one – are completely pet-safe, but if your pet ever consumes a plant they’re not supposed to, call the 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center.

Source: Freshpet