The best child-safe plants you can grow are not just about adding greenery but about creating safe, playful spaces where kids can connect with nature.
Growing plants together teaches children patience, responsibility, and joy as they watch leaves unfurl and flowers bloom. Many of these plants are hardy, easy to care for, and safe to touch or even taste.
By choosing varieties that are both safe and fun, you can turn gardening into a family activity instead of a chore. Imagine your kids watering strawberries, harvesting cherry tomatoes, or watching sunflowers grow taller than themselves.
These plants add beauty and fragrance while also sparking curiosity in young gardeners. Let’s take a look at 14 child-safe plants that are perfect for your home and garden.
#1 Succulents
Succulents are perfect starter plants for kids because they come in so many shapes and colors. They thrive in sunny spots and only need water once the soil dries completely.
Place them in small pots so children can move them around and enjoy their variety. Some even grow tiny flowers that add an extra surprise.
To avoid overwatering, show your kids how to test the soil with their fingers. These little plants build confidence for beginner gardeners.
#2 Sunflower
Sunflowers are always a hit with children, thanks to their towering size and bright yellow blooms. You can sow the seeds directly in the soil or in containers after frost has passed.
They grow quickly, which makes them exciting for kids to watch every day. Some varieties even produce edible seeds, adding a tasty bonus to their beauty.
Give them full sun and regular watering for the best results. Watching a sunflower track the sun is an amazing science lesson for kids.
#3 Cherry Tomato
Cherry Tomatoes are compact and productive, making them ideal for small gardens or balcony pots. Kids love picking the colorful fruits straight from the plant and eating them fresh.
They come in red, yellow, and even striped varieties, adding fun to the harvest. Keep the soil moist and give them plenty of sunlight for continuous crops.
Staking or caging helps support the vines. This plant is both educational and delicious for children to grow.
#4 Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and its refreshing fragrance fascinates kids. It grows happily indoors on a sunny windowsill or outside in the garden. Show your kids how to pinch off fresh leaves to add to lemonade or desserts.
Because mint spreads quickly, it’s best planted in a pot to keep it under control. Water it regularly, and it will reward you with lush growth. This herb sparks curiosity through taste and smell.
#5 Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are colorful and edible, making them especially fun for children. The flowers bloom in shades of orange, red, and yellow, brightening any garden corner. They grow easily in pots, hanging baskets, or as climbers.
Both leaves and flowers have a peppery taste, which kids can try in salads. Sow the seeds directly into the soil after frost for fast germination. Nasturtiums are perfect for teaching children that flowers can be both pretty and practical.
#6 Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vines spill beautifully over the edges of pots or window boxes. Their trailing leaves come in shades of lime green, purple, and bronze. Children enjoy watching the vines grow longer each week.
They thrive in full sun to partial shade and need regular watering. You can even let kids try planting the tubers in water to see roots and shoots emerge. These vines add instant charm to child-friendly gardens.
#7 Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bushes attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which always excites children. Their tall flower spikes bloom in summer with colors ranging from purple to pink. Place them in full sun, and they’ll grow 2 to 5 feet tall with ease.
Teach kids to water them deeply once a week during hot weather. Pruning spent flowers encourages new blooms. This plant turns your garden into a living science project full of pollinators.
#8 Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum produces tiny clusters of fragrant flowers that kids will love to smell. It works well in window boxes, hanging baskets, or along garden edges. The blooms last from spring to frost, filling spaces with white, purple, or pink tones.
Plant it in well-drained soil and water lightly during dry spells. It also tolerates light frost, so it’s dependable in cooler climates. This dainty flower is safe and uplifting for children.
#9 Daisies
Daisies are cheerful flowers with white petals and yellow centers that kids recognize instantly. They’re easy to grow with a mix of sun and regular watering. Plant them in garden beds, borders, or pots for a pop of brightness.
Children enjoy picking them to make simple flower crowns. Deadheading spent blooms helps extend their flowering season. These classic flowers always bring smiles to young faces.
#10 Pumpkin
Pumpkins are fun for kids because they grow into big, colorful fruits. While vines can spread widely, compact varieties are available for smaller spaces. Plant seeds in sunny soil after frost and water consistently to support healthy vines.
Kids love watching pumpkins swell and ripen over time. Harvesting them for carving or cooking creates lasting memories. Pumpkins are both educational and exciting for young gardeners.
#11 Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is a child-friendly plant with soft, velvety leaves that kids love to touch. It forms silvery foliage clumps and sends up flower spikes in summer. This perennial tolerates poor soil and dry conditions, making it low-maintenance.
Show kids how to water it lightly during long dry spells. It’s perfect for sensory gardens, encouraging children to engage through touch. Lamb’s Ear is as soothing as it is beautiful.
#12 Strawberry
Strawberries are a favorite for children because they get to eat the fruits they grow. Compact varieties work well in hanging baskets or pots. The plants produce sweet berries throughout the season with just sun and steady watering.
Kids can pick them fresh and taste the reward of their efforts. The pretty white flowers also add charm before fruiting. Growing strawberries is a fun introduction to edible gardening.
#13 Marigolds
Marigolds are bright, sturdy flowers that thrive in heat and resist pests. Their bold yellow and orange blooms light up gardens and containers. Children enjoy planting the seeds because they germinate quickly.
They also repel harmful insects, making them a safe and useful choice. Water them moderately, and they’ll flower all summer long. Marigolds teach kids that gardening can be both pretty and practical.
#14 Pole Bean
Pole Beans are exciting for kids because they grow tall and fast. Plant them near a trellis or poles, and they’ll climb upward in just weeks. Beans can be harvested continuously if picked often.
Sow the seeds in sunny soil after frost, and keep them watered to encourage strong growth. Kids love watching the vines reach skyward and then collecting the pods. Pole Beans combine fun growth with a tasty harvest.