Is Liriope Poisonous To Dogs?

Dogs are precious. They are loyal, forgiving, deeply affectionate, protective, and oh-so charming.

Anyone who owns one or several canine friends can attest to this.

Science has also proven that having a dog reduces stress, helps you to stay active, and deals with a wide range of mental problems.

 For all these things your pooch does to you, she deserves the world.

One of the many ways of reciprocating the love and loyalty you get from her is by making sure she is safe at all times.

Many things—cars, malicious neighbors, other dogs, wild animals, and plants—are threats to your animal friend.

 Let’s zoom in on the last one…

Certain plants are downright toxic for dogs.

The ASPCA as well as other trusted pet institutions have given a list of which plants are dog-friendly and which ones aren’t.

Before you introduce a plant to your garden or lawns, you must ask yourself if your dog will be harmed in the process.

In this post, we’ll discuss whether Liriope is poisonous or safe for canines.

Let’s dive right in…

What is Liriope?

Liriope is a genus of flowering perennials that look like grass.

The plants are mainly native to East and Southeast Asia (mostly China and Japan), and are mostly used as edging plants or decorative ground cover.

With long, spiked green leaves and beautiful purple, pink, lavender, or white flowers, the plant can transform your space into a garden paradise.

It is also low-maintenance, requiring little to no water.

Even in drought or deer influence, Liriope can remain standing.

Plus, it can thrive in most soil and sun conditions.

Types of Liriope Plants

There are two common varieties of the Liriope flowering plants – Liriope Muscari and Liriope Spicata.

Both types have similarities but they are also different in many ways.

 Let’s go over each one briefly.

A. Liriope Muscari

Liriope Muscari, also known as Lily Turf or Monkey Grass, is perhaps the most known of the two.

The plant has dense grassy, grass-like green foliage.

There is a wide variation of the leaf color but it is predominantly dark green.

The flowers are small and spiked and come in different colors such as deep purple, pink, and white.

Liriope Muscari blooms at the start of spring well into summer with a few varieties coming up in autumn.

B. Liriope Spicata

Commonly referred to as the creeping Lily turf or creeping Liriope, Liriope Spicata is different from Muscari in that it is very aggressive.

Once planted, it quickly spreads and covers the ground in no time.

The fast growth makes it great as a ground cover but not an edging plant.

The grass-like clumps can reach a height of 15 inches and spread about 2 feet wide.

It gives glossy green spiked leaves and white or lavender blossoms that bloom in summer.

Like Liriope Muscari, Liriope Spicata is resistant to drought and animals such as deer and rabbits.

Is Liriope Poisonous To Dogs?

 According to the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants, Liriope Muscari or lily turf doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients for dogs, cats, and horses. Learn more here: Is Monkey Grass Poisonous To Dogs?

As for Liriope Spicata, there are no tangible reports showing any toxicity as well.

It is thus safe to assume that the plant is equally safe around dogs and other pets.

That means your doggie can ingest any part of the plant or roll on it without suffering any ill effects.

With that said, Liriope, like most plants, can cause stomach upsets when taken in large quantities.

Dogs are not meant to eat plants in copious amounts. Their GI tracts cannot handle it and will often suffer upsets seen by vomiting, gut discomfort, and diarrhea.

Sadly, most dogs love to chomp on grass from time to time.

There are many reasons for this including roughage inadequacies, entertainment, and problems with the gut among others. Learn more here: Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving And Eating Grass?

If your dog happens to eat lots of Liriope, he is likely to have an upset tummy.

In such a case, she may require medical help to flush the green stuff from her stomach.

Additionally, some dogs are allergic to certain plants.

Just like human beings that react to certain lotions and plants, some canines are also not fond of specific flowers, berries, and plants.

If they come into contact with them, they risk having an allergic reaction.

If yours suddenly develops symptoms of allergy including swelling, extreme licking, redness, and sores, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

My Dog Ate Is Liriope: What Should I Do?

We have established that Liriope is not poisonous to dogs.

However, in case of ingestion of a huge amount of the flower, you will need to take action.

Contact the vet and they will direct you on what to do.

If they are unavailable, try to motivate your dog to throw up the contents in her tummy.

Secondly, offer some milk to neutralize any issues in the gut and to offer the dog some strength.

If nothing works, rush to the pet clinic.

Your dog will not suffer any fatal issues but always err on the side of caution.

If the doggie has an allergy of sorts, also ask for medical help.

Summary

Liriope is a drought-resistant, eye-catchy, and low-maintenance plant used as ground cover or as an edging flower.

If you are a gardening enthusiast, you know the challenge of getting plants with this combination.

It is also totally safe for your sweet dog as it has no toxicity whatsoever.

As long as your dog doesn’t ingest it in large quantities or develops a skin allergy from coming into contact with it, she will be safe around it.