Which outdoor plants are toxic to dogs?

Common yard plants on the ASPCA toxic-to-dogs list include hosta, English ivy, smooth hydrangea, American and English holly, mountain laurel, English yew, nandina, black walnut, black cherry, peach, gardenia, cardinal flower, mayapple and yarrow.

Which mosquito repellent plants are safe for dogs?

ASPCA lists rosemary, basil and pot marigold (calendula) as non-toxic to dogs. Lavender, lemongrass, mint and geraniums are on its toxic list. Planted mosquito plants have not been shown to repel mosquitoes.

Plants toxic to dogs: outdoor yard plants (with pictures)

20 common yard plants below are on the ASPCA list of plants toxic to dogs, including hosta, English ivy, hydrangea, holly, mountain laurel, yew, nandina and black walnut. Each has a photo so you can spot it in your yard. “Not on this page” does not mean safe; check the full ASPCA list.Pet ate a plant? ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply) or call your vet. Trouble breathing, seizures or collapse: emergency vet now.

Trees toxic to dogs

American holly (Ilex opaca) — **American holly** *Ilex opaca*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) — **Black cherry** *Prunus serotina*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Rasbak (Commons uploader; see source page), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) — **Black walnut** *Juglans nigra*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). Location credit to the Chanticleer Garden., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) — **Chinaberry** *Melia azedarach*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Vinhtantran (Commons uploader; see source page), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) — **English holly** *Ilex aquifolium*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Peach (Prunus persica) — **Peach** *Prunus persica*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Allagash Brewing, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Shrubs toxic to dogs

English yew (Taxus baccata) — **English yew** *Taxus baccata*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Sitomon, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) — **Gardenia** *Gardenia jasminoides*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Heavenly bamboo (nandina) (Nandina domestica) — **Heavenly bamboo (nandina)** *Nandina domestica*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: BotBln (Commons uploader; see source page), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) — **Japanese andromeda** *Pieris japonica*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) — **Japanese privet** *Ligustrum japonicum*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: José Luis Gálvez, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) — **Mountain laurel** *Kalmia latifolia*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Qwert1234, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) — **Smooth hydrangea** *Hydrangea arborescens*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry) · symptoms & details
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Perennials & wildflowers toxic to dogs

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) — **Cardinal flower** *Lobelia cardinalis*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry) · symptoms & details
Photo: Barnes, Dr. Thomas G., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Fragrant hosta (Hosta plantaginea) — **Fragrant hosta** *Hosta plantaginea*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) — **Jack-in-the-pulpit** *Arisaema triphyllum*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Hardyplants at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) — **Mayapple** *Podophyllum peltatum*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: Jennifer Anderson, USDA, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — **Yarrow** *Achillea millefolium*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: O. Pichard, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vines toxic to dogs

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) — **American bittersweet** *Celastrus scandens*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry) · symptoms & details
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

English ivy (Hedera helix) — **English ivy** *Hedera helix*
ASPCA: toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA entry)
Photo: AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Mosquito plants safe for dogs

First, the evidence: Extension services say planting “mosquito plants” doesn't keep mosquitoes away; the oils only help when extracted (what actually works). If you grow them anyway, here is what ASPCA says about dogs:

Plant	ASPCA
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis	Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Basil Ocimum basilicum	Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Pot marigold (calendula) Calendula officinalis	Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Catnip Nepeta cataria	Non-toxic to dogs, toxic to cats (ASPCA)
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia	Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus	Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Mint Mentha spp.	Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Citronella / scented geraniums Pelargonium spp.	Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)

Never put essential oils on a pet; ASPCA warns concentrated oils can harm dogs and cats.

More: is this plant toxic? (44 yard plants, dogs, cats and kids) · pet-safe plants

Sources

Checked October 19, 2026. Not legal or professional advice; the official text controls.