Dog-Friendly Herbs That Grow Well in Shade

Perennial Aromatics/Kitchen Herbs

• Perennial plants live for more than two years and usually bloom over the summer months. Ginger is a shade-tolerant perennial that is relatively safe for your dog if ingested in small quantities. Cultures across the world use ginger root as both a spice and medicinal herb. Because the plant's root system contains the majority of its nutrients, there's a low risk of your dog consuming large quantities unless your pet manages to pull the entire plant free of its soil. Mint is an aromatic, shade-tolerant perennial herb grown in many varieties throughout the globe. Of these varieties, doctor of veterinary medicine Carol Jean Tillman identifies peppermint as being safe for use around your dog. Peppermint prefers a moist climate but can grow in almost any condition and soil quality short of a barren desert. Tillman cautions against growing pennyroyal varieties of mint in your indoor or outdoor garden. Pennyroyal mint can be toxic to pets, including your dog, if ingested.

Perennial Garden Herbs

• The lemon balm plant is a perennial herb from the mint family. The leafy, bushy plant produces small white flowers and performs best in well-drained soil. Lemon balm leaves produce a fragrant lemon aroma from which the plant derives its name. Lemon balm is a shade-tolerant plant and safe for your pet, according to Organic Pet Digest's website. Careful monitoring of lemon plant growth is necessary to prevent the herb from becoming invasive in your indoor or outdoor garden. Pruning plant flowers quickly limits the plant's growth throughout a particular area.

Biennial Herbs

• Biennial plants take two years to flower or produce fruit. These plants produce leaves and root structures in the first year, enter a dormant cycle over the winter and flower during the second summer. Parsley is a biennial herb that tolerates the shade. While the plant can thrive in the shade, the methodical germination process requires full sun. At full growth, parsley leaves contain a variety of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K and iron. Your dog can safely consume the plant, although the animal may encounter other wildlife attracted by it, including bees.

Dangerous Herbs

• While some herbs can have health benefits for your dog, others can prove quite dangerous. Avoid growing plants rich in essential oils, including thyme, European calamus and tansy, as consumption of these plants could prove deadly for your dog. Even ingesting a small amount of these compounds is sufficient to cause significant distress in your dog. Garlic can also have a similarly toxic effect when ingested by your family dog, according to the Organic Pet Dig website.