Pet & child toxicity table
Every species we cover, checked against the ASPCA toxic-plant list — so you can choose a lawn that’s safe for the dog, the cat and the kids.
Sourced, per species, on the botanical name
We check every species against the ASPCA Animal Poison Control list (and the Pet Poison Helpline) by its botanical name, not its common name — because common names collide. There are three outcomes: a plant is on the explicit non-toxic list, it’s not listed at all (as with most grasses — absence isn’t a positive clearance, but no toxicity is recorded), or it’s on the toxic list. We label each honestly rather than blurring them.
Verified ASPCA status
| Species | Botanical | ASPCA status | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| White clover | Trifolium repens | ✓ Not listed | Not on the ASPCA toxic list; only alsike clover (T. hybridum) is listed, as toxic to horses |
| Microclover | Trifolium repens | ✓ Not listed | Same species as white clover; not on the ASPCA toxic list |
| Creeping thyme | Thymus serpyllum | ✓ Not listed | The ASPCA entry is for common thyme (Thymus vulgaris); T. serpyllum is not separately listed and no toxicity is reported for it |
| Fine fescue | Festuca rubra / brevipila / ovina | ✓ Not listed | Grass — not on the ASPCA toxic list |
| Buffalograss | Bouteloua dactyloides | ✓ Not listed | Grass — not on the ASPCA toxic list |
| Dichondra | Dichondra repens | ✓ Not listed | Not listed by ASPCA or Pet Poison Helpline |
| Irish/Scotch moss | Sagina subulata | ✓ Not listed | Not listed (see name-collision note) |
| Sedge (Carex) | Carex pensylvanica | ✓ Not listed | Grass-like — Carex not on ASPCA toxic list |
| Chamomile | Chamaemelum nobile | ⚠️ Toxic | ASPCA-toxic to dogs, cats, horses |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | ⚠️ Toxic | ASPCA-toxic to dogs, cats, horses |
Non-toxic on the explicit ASPCA non-toxic list ✓ Not listed absent from the ASPCA toxic list ⚠️ Toxic on the ASPCA toxic list
Shop the ones we sell
Read these before you plant
Alsike clover is not white clover. Our clovers are Trifolium repens (non-toxic). Alsike clover (T. hybridum) is a different species associated with toxicity in horses — don’t substitute it.
“Irish Moss” is a name trap. Our Irish/Scotch moss is Sagina subulata (not listed toxic). The ASPCA’s “Irish Moss” entry is a different plant entirely — Selaginella kraussiana, a club/spikemoss.
Any plant can upset a stomach. Even non-toxic plants can cause mild GI upset if a pet eats a lot. Discourage pets and children from grazing, and never let them eat fresh seed.
Keep the toxic two out of pet yards
Chamomile and yarrow are both on the ASPCA toxic list for dogs, cats and horses. If pets graze your lawn, build it from the non-toxic options (clover, thyme) or the not-listed grasses and sedges instead.
A note on children
The ASPCA list covers pets, not people. The species here are ornamental, not food — teach children not to eat lawn plants or seed, supervise toddlers, and store seed out of reach. For any suspected ingestion by a child, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222; for a pet, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Choose a safe lawn
A single species is an ingredient. The blend is the answer.
Kids Play Eco Lawn Mix — Festuca arundinacea + Trifolium repens. Soft, tough, non-toxic — for children and play. Buy the blend when the job needs more than one plant — the grass carries the wear, the clover feeds it, the flowers feed the bees. Buy the single species when you want one plant, one look, one job.