Pet lovers can enjoy a summer of colorful blooms without stressing about their furry companions. These 22 flowers are safe for cats and dogs so that you can plant with peace of mind.
Each flower entry covers bloom time, growing tips, and fun facts. Use them in garden beds, patio pots, or cozy indoor corners! From pots to plots, these flowers offer long-lasting beauty without putting your furry friends at risk.
1. Petunia (Petunia spp.)
Petunias bloom from spring until frost, offering vibrant color all summer long. Regular deadheading keeps them flowering for months. They thrive in full sun, at least 5 to 6 hours daily, for best blooms.
Water moderately and keep the soil well-drained.Though heat-tolerant, these hardy plants need consistent watering to avoid drought stress. With care, they bounce back quickly.
Petunias are available in nearly every color and often release a mild fragrance in the evening. Perfect for containers, baskets, or borders, they are cheerful additions to patios or garden beds and pet-friendly.
2. Rose (Rosa spp.)
Roses are non-toxic to pets, though thorns can cause minor scrapes. Many varieties bloom in cycles from spring through fall. They need full sun, at least six hours daily, and well-drained soil.
Water deeply and regularly, especially in hot weather. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of leaf disease. Deadheading encourages more flowers throughout the season.
Roses come in nearly every color and can be highly fragrant. There's a rose from mini roses to climbing types for every space. Whether in pots or garden beds, roses add romance and elegance to pet-friendly outdoor areas.
3. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers are safe for pets and offer bright, cheerful blooms from mid-summer into fall. They’re easy to grow and stunning in groups. They need full sun for 6 to 8 hours and moderate watering.
Ensure the soil stays moist but never soggy during blooming. Sunflowers tolerate heat and some drought, especially once established. Branching types offer more blooms over time.
The colors range from classic yellow to orange, red, or bi-colored. Dwarf varieties suit pots; giants thrive in beds or borders. Their tall stems and sunny faces make them ideal for pollinators and pet owners looking to add joy to their space.
4. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)
Moth orchids are non-toxic and ideal for bright indoor spots. Their long-lasting blooms often continue through summer months. Provide bright, indirect light to encourage flowering.
East- or west-facing windows are perfect; avoid harsh midday sun. Water weekly and let the growing medium dry slightly between waterings. These orchids prefer humidity and good airflow.
Orchids are visually striking and come in intricate white, pink, yellow, and purple patterns. While not strongly scented, they are excellent for tabletops or shelves, bringing pet-safe elegance to your home with minimal upkeep.
5. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerbera daisies are safe for pets and bloom from late spring through early fall. Each flower can last up to two weeks. They need full to partial sun and do best with morning light and afternoon shade in hot regions.
Water at the base to avoid wet leaves and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Use well-drained potting mix. Available in red, orange, pink, yellow, and white, their bold colors stand out in any setting.
Perfect for patios, pots, or garden beds, gerberas are cheerful and easy companions in pet-safe spaces.
6. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are fast-growing and pet-safe annuals that bloom continuously from early summer until frost. They thrive in full sun and enjoy warm conditions. Water when the top inch of soil dries, avoiding overhead splashing.
These flowers tolerate short droughts but bloom more with steady moisture. Newer cultivars bloom even without deadheading. Zinnias come in incredible colors and forms, from singles to full double blooms and pom-poms.
Their bright flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are great for containers, borders, or kids’ gardens.
7. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragons are safe for pets. They bloom in cool seasons: spring, early summer, and again in fall. Full sun is best, but they appreciate light shade in hot climates. Keep the soil moist and use mulch to retain coolness.
They bloom in pink, red, yellow, white, and purple spires. Pinch spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Snapdragons come in dwarf and tall forms and fit containers, beds, or borders.
Their quirky dragon-mouth flowers delight all ages. They add height, color, and fun to any garden while remaining pet-safe.
8. Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)
Lisianthus blooms mid to late summer, producing lush, rose-like flowers. It's entirely safe for pets. Grow in full sun for strong stems and best blooms. It needs evenly moist, well-drained soil; avoid letting it dry completely.
This elegant flower tolerates heat well and rewards with long-lasting blooms, especially when cut. Colors include purple, pink, white, and soft bi-colors. With a delicate, upscale look, lisianthus adds luxury to your landscape.
It’s a top pick for pet-safe summer color, ideal for beds or containers.
9. Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria spp.)
Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, is non-toxic and blooms in vibrant waves from late spring through summer. It needs full to partial sun and thrives in cool nights and rich, well-draining soil.
Keep the soil moist, and mulch to retain moisture and prevent heat stress. Flowers appear in clusters with markings and streaks, in red, pink, yellow, purple, and white.
Excellent in pots or garden beds, alstroemeria brings bouquet-worthy color to any pet-safe garden.
10. Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, or pot marigold, is pet-safe and blooms best in cooler seasons like spring and early summer. In milder climates, it continues blooming into summer and fall. Deadheading encourages more flowers.
It grows best in full sun with some afternoon shade in hot areas. Water moderately and avoid soggy soil. The blooms are golden yellow, orange, and cream in tone. The flowers and leaves are even edible.
Perfect for containers, edges, or cottage gardens, calendula adds charm and pest-repelling perks.
11. Impatiens (Impatiens spp.)
Impatiens are safe for pets and perfect for shady spots. They bloom nonstop from late spring to frost. They thrive in partial to full shade and need moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially in containers.
These compact plants form dense mounds of bright color: pink, red, white, orange, and lavender. No. They need to be deadheaded; fresh blooms replace the old. Use them in shady beds or pots under trees.
Low-maintenance and colorful, impatiens are ideal for pet-safe, low-light gardens.
12. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
African violets are pet-safe and bloom year-round when grown indoors. They're ideal for bright windows and small spaces. They prefer indirect light and moderate humidity. Avoid getting water on leaves to prevent spotting.
Keep the soil lightly moist using bottom watering techniques. Choose a potting mix formulated for African violets. Blooms come in violet, pink, white, and blue, often with ruffled petals and yellow centers.
Compact and easy-care, African violets brighten up shelves and desktops with their cheerful, pet-friendly flowers.
13. Celosia (Celosia spp.)
Celosia is a pet-safe flower with flame-shaped blooms from early summer into fall. It grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and moderate watering.
The blooms come in bold colors like red, orange, and purple, with plume or cockscomb shapes that stand out. They are great for beds, pots, or cut arrangements.
Low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly celosia brings bold color and texture to safe summer gardens.
14. Aster (Aster spp.)
Asters are pet-safe perennials that bloom late summer into fall, when most gardens start to fade. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, with regular watering to keep moisture even.
These butterfly magnets come in purple, pink, white, and blue, often with yellow centers. Compact varieties suit pots, while taller ones fill out borders and cottage gardens.
Reliable, long-blooming asters add safe, vibrant color and pollinator action to any pet-friendly yard.
15. Statice (Limonium spp.)
Statice is a pet-safe flower known for its papery blooms that last from midsummer into fall. It grows best in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil with little watering.
The blooms form in clustered purple, white, yellow, or pink sprays, adding texture to fresh or dried bouquets. Statice is low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and ideal for cutting gardens and dry-climate landscapes.
16. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Blazing star is a native, pet-safe plant with tall, fluffy flower spikes that bloom from mid to late summer. Once established, it loves full sun and well-drained soil and tolerates drought.
The purple or white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Blazing star is perfect for native beds or wildflower gardens. It adds vertical drama and pollinator appeal to safe summer spaces.
17. Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)
Hibiscus is non-toxic to pets and features giant, tropical-style blooms from midsummer through fall. It needs full sun and steady watering, especially in the heat. Flowers can be red, pink, yellow, or white, with showy centers and wide petals.
Hardy types go in beds; tropical ones suit pots. They are a bold, pet-safe choice for summer color and a tropical garden vibe.
18. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are edible, pet-safe flowers that bloom brightly from spring to fall. They like full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Flowers appear in warm tones with rounded leaves and trailing stems.
Both blooms and leaves are peppery and edible. They’re perfect for hanging baskets, edges, or casual pet-friendly gardens.
19. Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana)
Pansies are safe for pets and bloom in spring, fall, and sometimes cooler summers. They prefer sun to part shade and regular watering. Flowers show charming "faces" in many colors.
Pansy flowers show cheerful "faces" in all kinds of colors. They're edible and perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or salads. Pansies are low-maintenance and charming, ideal for pet-safe gardens, pots, or borders.
20. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Fuchsias are pet-safe and thrive in shady, cool spots. They bloom from late spring through fall and need moist, well-drained soil. Their dangling pink, purple, or red flowers attract hummingbirds.
Their drooping pink, purple, or red blossoms draw hummingbirds all summer. They’re especially striking in hanging baskets or pots on shaded porches.
Soft and relaxed, perfect for shady porches where your pets can peacefully nap nearby.
21. Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Bachelor's Button, also known as cornflower, is a pet-safe flower that thrives in full sun and well-drained, dry soil. It bursts into bloom from late spring to midsummer with minimal effort.
Classic blue blooms are the favorite, but pink and white options are also available. It reseeds independently, adding charm to wildflower gardens or relaxed plantings.
An easygoing bloom that brings carefree charm to relaxed, pet-safe summer spaces.
22. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Bee balm is a pet-safe, pollinator-friendly flower that blooms from midsummer to late summer. It grows in full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil.
The vibrant, tufted blooms come in red, pink, purple, or white and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its aromatic foliage adds extra charm to garden beds.
Bee balm is a cheerful and fragrant addition to any pet-friendly garden. It brings bold color and buzz to summer spaces.
A Safe and Colorful Summer Garden
With these pet-safe blooms, you can create a garden full of color, fragrance, texture, and life without worrying about your curious pets.
From bold sunflowers to delicate fuchsias, each flower brings something unique to your space, whether a burst of vibrant color, a long-lasting bloom, or pollinator-friendly charm.
Fill your space with safe summer color, from garden beds to patio pots. These blooms shine bright all season and keep tails wagging with peace of mind.