Spider Flower — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
dog safety reference

Is Spider Flower safe for dogs?

Cleome hassleriana

Spider Flower is a popular annual garden plant known for its unique, spidery blooms that add height and texture to flower beds. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Cleome hasserlanaCleome hasslerianaGrandfather's WhiskersSpider Plant
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Spider flower is safe around dogs — the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic with no recorded poisoning cases. A dog that chews leaves or stems may have a brief bout of vomiting or loose stool from the fiber, nothing more.

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.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected, though excessive ingestion of fibrous stems or leaves may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your pet consumes a large quantity and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Bring it home

Spider Floweris generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Spider Flower is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Cleome hassleriana is a hardy annual that thrives in full sun and is widely used in pollinator gardens.

Cats & dogs pagecats page

Same dog verdict

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