Dogs
UncertainIdentity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
dog safety reference
Is Sand Verbena safe for dogs?
Abronia fragrans
Sand Verbena is a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial native to the central and western United States, often found in sandy soils. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of any fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive upset.
Abronia fragransSnowball Sand VerbenaSweet Sand Verbena
- Light
- Full sun
- Habit
- Trailing or mounding
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your dog
Dogs: ASPCA lists Sand Verbena as non-toxic to dogs. Just be careful with the name — Lantana (sometimes called "wild lantana") and Lemon Verbena are both toxic to dogs. The plant on this page is Abronia fragrans, the prairie sand verbena, which ASPCA classifies as safe.
What to watch for
ASPCA reports no toxic principle, so no symptoms are expected from this plant specifically. A dog that grazed a flower head or chewed leaves may have a transient stomach upset from the plant fiber alone.
Time window
Onset and duration are not documented because the plant is non-toxic. Any incidental GI upset would typically resolve within 24 hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues past one episode, or if you can't rule out Lantana or another toxic lookalike. No urgent threshold is documented for Abronia fragrans.
Sources: ASPCA.
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Escalation note
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Sand Verbena is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Plants of the World Online - Abronia fragrans
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted scientific name and distribution data for Abronia fragrans.
Questions about Sand Verbena
Is Sand Verbena toxic to dogs?
Sand Verbena (Abronia fragrans) is classified as non-toxic to dogs — the ASPCA does not document a toxic principle for this plant. That said, the classification is currently under review pending curator verification, so if your dog ate a significant amount, monitor for GI upset and call your vet if symptoms persist.
What happens if my dog eats Sand Verbena?
No toxic symptoms are expected from Sand Verbena specifically. A dog that chewed leaves or flower heads may experience transient stomach upset from the plant fiber alone; any such GI upset would typically resolve within 24 hours.
What should I do if my dog ate Sand Verbena?
No emergency action is required for a small ingestion. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea, and call your vet if either continues past one episode. If there's any chance your dog actually ate Lantana or another toxic lookalike instead of Sand Verbena, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Could Sand Verbena be confused with a toxic plant my dog should avoid?
The vet guidance for this plant specifically flags Lantana as a potential lookalike concern — Lantana is toxic to dogs and causes more serious symptoms. If you're not certain which plant your dog ate, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 rather than assuming it was Sand Verbena.
Same dog verdict
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Uncertain for cats & dogs.