Desert landscaping is very popular in the Las Vegas area, and it’s important to include plants that are not poisonous for your dog or cat to chew.
Safe Desert Plants for Pets
If you own a dog or cat, you know how much they love to roam around the garden. Most of them will bite just about any leaf or flower that they encounter, so it’s important to have plants that are not toxic to pets. A popular landscape design in Las Vegas is a garden that requires less water. This style of landscaping may include cacti that have sharp needles that could hurt a dog or cat’s nose. Here are a few of the most popular plants that are suitable for both a desert landscape and pets.
Pet-safe Desert Plants
There is a wide variety of flowering plants, shrubs and creepers you can plant that your pets can also enjoy. These are just a few of the many pet-safe plants for a Las Vegas garden:
• Herbs such as thyme, cilantro and sage
• Creepers such as Spider Ivy, Purple Passion Vine, Crape Myrtle, Sweet Potato vine and Creeping Zinnia
• Trees such as a Mulberry tree, Feather Palm
• Brilliant blossoms such as Pansies, Petunias, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Hibiscus and Marigolds
• Certain lilies such as Tiger Lily and Daylilies
Plants to Avoid
Along with knowing safe plants for your pets, it’s good to know some to avoid. Just taking one bite can cause dogs and cats gastrointestinal suffering, lethargy, diarrhea and even death in some cases. If you have pets, do not plant:
• Perennials such as chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Iris, carnations or daisies
• Annuals such as begonia, geranium
• Shrubs such as azaleas, boxwood, Aloe Vera, gardenia, lantana and hydrangea
• Bulbs such as crocus, daffodil and amaryllis
• Vines such as clematis, morning glory and wisteria
Alternative Garden Suggestions
If you simply can’t part with some of the plants that are not safe for your pet, consider planting them in places where your pet can’t reach. This may mean planting flowers in pots that are placed high on a wall or growing wisteria on top of a fence.