Plants toxic to dogs include sago palm, oleander, azalea, lantana, brunfelsia and bulbs such as daffodils, and the biggest mistake is assuming a plant is safe because it is common. Sources often disagree on herbs, hibiscus and jasmine, so treat every list as a starting point and confirm with your vet.
This guide covers what plants are toxic to dogs in Australia, what owners report, how to audit your garden and when to ask for help. It does not give treatment advice.
Key points
- Sago palm, oleander, azalea, lantana, brunfelsia, daffodil bulbs and castor oil plant are commonly listed as toxic to dogs.
- Herbs such as rosemary, basil and mint are commonly listed as low risk in normal garden amounts, but essential oils are a different matter.
- If your dog eats something suspicious, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline straight away and take a photo or sample of the plant.
- A Sydney gardener typically charges about $52 to $115 per hour (October 2026) to remove or replace risky plants.
When to check your garden for plants toxic to dogs
Dogs chew more when they are bored, teething or exploring a new yard, and new plants arrive in spring and autumn.
| Season or event | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Sep to Nov) | Check new growth, bulbs and flowering shrubs such as azalea. | Spring flowers and new shoots tempt curious puppies. |
| Summer (Dec to Feb) | Watch fallen fruit, seed pods and wilted clippings. | Dogs find windfalls on warm, humid days. |
| Autumn (Mar to May) | Check bulbs before planting and prune risky shrubs. | Bulbs are commonly listed as the most toxic part of daffodils and tulips. |
| Winter (Jun to Aug) | Review pots and indoor plants while the garden is quiet. | Dogs spend more time inside, close to houseplants. |
| New dog or new house | Walk the whole yard and list every plant. | You may not know what the previous owner planted. |
| After pruning or storms | Remove clippings and fallen branches straight away. | Cut oleander and sago material can stay hazardous. |
What you need to make a garden safer
| Item | What it is for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Plant identification app or nursery labels | Naming every plant in the yard | Use the botanical name, since common names vary between states. |
| Phone camera | Photographing unknown plants and chewed leaves | Keep photos handy to show your vet. |
| Gloves and long sleeves | Handling sap-heavy plants such as oleander | Wash tools and hands afterwards. |
| Secateurs and green waste bin | Removing and disposing of clippings | Keep cut material out of reach of pets and children. |
| Temporary fencing or pen | Blocking off risky areas | Use it while you decide what to remove. |
| Your vet’s number | Fast advice in an emergency | Save the Animal Poisons Helpline details too. |
What plants are toxic to dogs in Australia
These plants are commonly listed as toxic to dogs by vets and poison information services, but always confirm with your own vet.
| Plant | Commonly listed risk | Symptoms owners report |
|---|---|---|
| Sago palm | Seeds and fronds are widely listed as highly toxic | Vomiting, drooling and lethargy |
| Oleander | All parts are listed as toxic | Vomiting, diarrhoea and weakness |
| Azalea and rhododendron | Leaves are commonly listed as toxic | Drooling, vomiting and tiredness |
| Lantana | Leaves and berries are commonly listed as toxic | Vomiting, weakness and drooling |
| Brunfelsia (yesterday-today-tomorrow) | Berries and flowers are commonly listed as toxic | Vomiting and tremors |
| Daffodil and tulip bulbs | Bulbs are the part most often listed | Drooling, vomiting and an upset stomach |
Plants toxic to dogs: step-by-step garden audit
- Walk the whole yard with your phone and photograph every plant, including pots, hanging baskets and the verge.
- Identify each plant using the nursery tag, a plant app or a local nursery, and write down the botanical name.
- Check each name against a reliable pet poison list, such as one from your vet or a poison information service.
- Mark anything listed as toxic, along with plants where sources disagree, and ask your vet about those.
- Decide whether to remove, fence off or move each risky plant to somewhere your dog cannot reach.
- Check low shrubs, fallen fruit, bulbs and mulch for items your dog might chew or swallow.
- Dispose of removed plants in the green waste bin, and wash gloves and tools after handling sap.
- Repeat the audit each spring and after any big storm or garden clean-up.
Is lavender toxic to dogs? Lavender oil and tea tree oil
The plant itself is commonly listed as mildly toxic in large amounts, while concentrated oils are a bigger concern.
- Lavender plants are commonly listed as low risk if a dog nibbles a leaf, but some vets list large amounts as a cause of stomach upset.
- Is lavender oil safe for dogs? Concentrated essential oils are generally not recommended around dogs, so ask your vet before using any.
- Lavender essential oil in diffusers can be an issue in closed rooms, so check with your vet before using one around a pet.
- Is tea tree oil safe for dogs? It is widely listed as toxic when swallowed or applied undiluted, so keep products locked away.
- Keep pet shampoos, creams and cleaning products containing tea tree oil out of reach, and follow your vet’s advice.
- If your dog has licked or swallowed any oil, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline immediately.
Is rosemary toxic to dogs? Herbs like mint and basil
Garden herbs are often listed as safe in small amounts, but your vet has the final say for your dog.
- Is rosemary safe for dogs? It is commonly listed as non-toxic in normal garden amounts, though concentrated oil is different.
- Is basil safe for dogs? Basil is commonly listed as non-toxic, though large amounts of any plant can upset a dog’s stomach.
- Is mint toxic to dogs? Garden mint is commonly listed as mild, but pennyroyal is a different mint listed as toxic.
- Is mint safe for dogs in a pot? Keep it contained, since it spreads quickly and invites chewing.
- Positively identify any herb before your dog eats it, because look-alike plants and ornamentals are common in mixed beds.
- Grow herbs in raised pots or a fenced bed if your dog is a digger or chewer.
Are agapanthus poisonous to dogs, plus star jasmine, roses and lilly pilly
Sydney’s most popular garden plants are the ones owners ask about most.
| Plant | What sources commonly say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Agapanthus | Commonly listed as mildly toxic or an irritant | Fence it off if your dog chews it. |
| Star jasmine | Sources differ; it is not a true jasmine | Ask your vet before relying on a list. |
| Roses | Petals are commonly listed as non-toxic, but thorns can injure | Prune thorny stems away from paths. |
| Lilly pilly | Commonly listed as low risk, though fruit may upset the stomach | Pick up fallen fruit. |
| Hibiscus | Sources differ between species | Confirm the species with your vet. |
| Bird of paradise and fiddle leaf fig | Commonly listed as mildly toxic or irritant, especially sap and seeds | Keep pots out of reach. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a single website list, when sources often disagree about species, parts and amounts.
- Forgetting bulbs, seeds, fallen fruit and mulch, which dogs often chew more than leaves.
- Leaving oleander or sago clippings on the lawn after pruning, where dogs can reach them.
- Using weed killers or fertilisers without checking the label for how long pets must stay off treated areas.
- Using home remedies such as vinegar or salt on weeds, which are non-selective and can harm soil and nearby plants.
- Waiting to see if symptoms pass, instead of calling your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline straight away.
When to call a gardener or licensed specialist
- Call a gardener to remove large shrubs or sago palms, since the sap and spines are hard to handle safely.
- Book a qualified arborist for large trees, and check your council’s tree rules before cutting anything.
- Check that anyone spraying weeds for a fee holds an EPA ground applicator licence, as routine garden maintenance has an exemption.
- Ask a vet about any plant your dog has eaten, rather than relying on this guide.
- Book a licensed pest controller if you suspect snail bait or rodent bait is in the garden.
- Book a licensed handyman for fences and gates if your dog keeps getting into planting beds.
Cost to make a Sydney garden dog-safe
Prices below include GST and are Sydney metro rates for October 2026.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardener, per hour | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Weed removal, per hour | $57 | $75 | $105 |
| Garden clean-up, half day | $170 | $290 | $460 |
| Garden clean-up, full day | $320 | $520 | $805 |
| Tree pruning, per tree | $230 | $520 | $1,375 |
FAQ: plants toxic to dogs
Is lavender toxic to dogs?
Lavender is commonly listed as mildly toxic in large amounts, with stomach upset the main concern. Concentrated lavender oil is a bigger worry. If your dog has eaten lavender or licked oil, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline, and confirm what is safe for your dog.
Is rosemary toxic to dogs?
Rosemary is commonly listed as non-toxic in normal garden amounts, but concentrated rosemary oil is different. Check with your vet before giving your dog any herb or using essential oils at home. Positively identify any plant before your dog eats it.
What plants are toxic to dogs in Australia?
Commonly listed plants include sago palm, oleander, azalea, lantana, brunfelsia, castor oil plant and bulbs such as daffodil. Sources disagree on some garden plants, so ask your vet about your own garden and contact the Animal Poisons Helpline if your dog eats something.
Is tea tree oil safe for dogs?
Tea tree oil is widely listed as toxic to dogs when swallowed or used undiluted. Keep products containing it out of reach and ask your vet before using any on or near a pet. If your dog has been exposed, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline immediately.
Getting a dog-safe garden in Sydney
If you want risky plants removed, replaced or fenced off, we can tidy and maintain your garden on a regular schedule. See our types of flower guide for safer replacements, or book garden maintenance in Sydney.
