Open data · Updated 14 October 2026
The UAE Plant Index
The UAE Plant Index rates 107 plants on how they actually behave here: in a 22–24°C air-conditioned room at 30–40% humidity, and on a Dubai balcony from May to September. 61 survive a full-sun summer balcony, 46 are non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), and 15 handle AC air well.
- Plants rated
- 107
- Survive a full-sun summer balcony
- 61
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
- 46
- Rated high for AC air
- 15
- Yes, full sun: 61 (57%)
- Shade only: 24 (22%)
- Winter only (Oct-Apr): 6 (6%)
- No: 16 (15%)
- Low light: 1 (1%)
- Low to medium: 7 (7%)
- Bright, indirect: 9 (8%)
- Part sun: 27 (25%)
- Full sun: 63 (59%)
Explore the plants
107 of 107 plants match
Agave (Blue Attenuata)
Agave attenuata
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room21–30 dSummer10–14 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Saponins in the sap, plus rigid terminal spines that can injure.
Effectively irrigation-free once rooted. Keep the spine tips away from walkways — on a young agave they are at eye level for a child.
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer10–14 dSummer balcony: Shade onlyToxic to pets — show details
Aloin in the leaf skin — vomiting and lethargy in cats and dogs.
Wants a bright windowsill, not a dark corner. It scorches in unshaded UAE summer sun despite being a succulent, so keep it behind glass or under shade cloth from May.
Desert Rose (Adenium)
Adenium obesum
AC airMediumDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer7–10 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Cardiac glycosides throughout the plant — genuinely dangerous to cats, dogs and children if eaten. Keep out of reach.
Native to the Arabian peninsula's climate and completely at home in UAE heat — the caudex stores water, so it is the lowest-maintenance flowering plant on a sunny balcony.
Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)
Portulacaria afra
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer10–14 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Shade onlyRare combination here: a shrub-sized succulent that is genuinely non-toxic to cats and dogs, tolerates AC air, and clips into shape like a hedge plant.
View plant: Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)Care guide: Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)
Euphorbia Cactus Column
Euphorbia trigona
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer7–10 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Caustic white latex — it causes chemical burns on skin and serious injury in the eye. Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting, and keep it away from pets and children.
Not a true cactus, and the difference matters: the milky sap is caustic, unlike anything in the cactus family. Thrives on neglect in full Gulf sun, which is exactly why it ends up somewhere careless.
Snake Plant 'Laurentii'
Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii'
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer10–14 dSummer balcony: Shade onlyToxic to pets — show details
Saponins — vomiting and drooling if cats or dogs chew the leaves.
The single most forgiving plant for a UAE apartment: it stores water in its leaves, so dry AC air and a fortnight away change nothing. Overwatering is the only realistic way to kill it.
View plant: Snake Plant 'Laurentii'Care guide: Snake Plant 'Laurentii'
Succulent 6-Pack
Mixed Crassulaceae and Echeveria
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer7–12 dSummer balcony: Shade onlyPet caution — show details
Mixed tray — Echeveria and Sedum are non-toxic, but Crassula (jade) causes vomiting in cats and dogs.
Bright shade, not full summer sun — unshaded July sun scorches most nursery-grown succulents because they were raised under netting.
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room14–21 dSummer12–18 dSummer balcony: NoToxic to pets — show details
Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed.
Underground rhizomes make it genuinely drought-proof, and it is the one plant that holds its gloss in a windowless Dubai office corner.
Ghaf Tree — UAE National Tree
Prosopis cineraria
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room10–14 dSummer5–10 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunThe UAE's national tree, adapted to this exact climate over millennia. Once established it needs almost no irrigation, which makes it the most water-efficient shade tree you can plant here.
Mediterranean Fan Palm — Multi-Trunk
Chamaerops humilis
AC airMediumDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room10–14 dSummer5–7 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunThe most drought-tolerant palm in the range and the only one that stays villa-sized — it clumps to 2-3m instead of running for the sky like a date or foxtail palm.
Sidr Tree (Ziziphus)
Ziziphus spina-christi
AC airHighDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room10–14 dSummer5–10 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunNative, edible-fruited and deeply drought-tolerant. Like the Ghaf it is thorny, so site it away from paths and play areas.
Yucca Rostrata — 120cm
Yucca rostrata
AC airMediumDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room10–14 dSummer5–8 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins cause vomiting if chewed, and the leaf tips are genuinely sharp — the puncture risk to a child's eye is the one to plan around.
Blue-silver architecture that needs almost nothing: full sun, sharp drainage, and water only when the pot is bone dry. Overwatering is the single way people kill it here.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
AC airHighDry airMediumDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–14 dSummer6–10 dSummer balcony: NoToxic to pets — show details
Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed.
Keeps its pink and silver variegation in far less light than most patterned plants, so it earns a spot in rooms where a Calathea would fail.
Damas Tree (Conocarpus)
Conocarpus lancifolius
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer3–5 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: NoWhat the UAE plants along coastal highways because salt, heat and wind do not touch it — fast and evergreen, but the roots are vigorous, so keep it clear of structures.
Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
AC airHighDry airMediumDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–12 dSummer5–8 dSummer balcony: Shade onlyToxic to pets — show details
Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth and throat irritation if chewed.
Droops visibly when thirsty and recovers within hours, which makes it the best plant to learn UAE watering rhythm on. Also grows indefinitely in a jar of water, sidestepping soil entirely.
Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) — 30Ltr
Azadirachta indica
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–14 dSummer5–7 dSummer balcony: NoPet caution — show details
Leaves and seed oil are toxic to cats and to dogs in quantity; the fruit stones are a choking risk.
Survives 48°C, sandy soil and brackish irrigation better than any other shade tree sold here — the species that made early Gulf greening projects work.
View plant: Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) — 30LtrCare guide: Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) — 30Ltr
Nerium Oleander
Nerium oleander
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer3–5 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Every part is highly toxic to people and pets, including smoke from burning clippings. Not for homes with pets or young children.
Lines UAE motorways because nothing kills it — salt, heat and neglect included. We sell it only for boundary planting, never for a family garden or balcony.
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Red)
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer5–7 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunThe burgundy colour only holds in full sun — in shade it reverts towards green, which defeats the point of choosing the red form.
Sea Purslane (Sesuvium) Tray — 6 Plants
Sesuvium portulacastrum
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer5–7 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunGrows natively on UAE beaches in salt and sand — the ground cover for a coastal plot or a bed irrigated with brackish TSE water.
Silver Damas Ball (Conocarpus)
Conocarpus lancifolius 'Sericeus'
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer3–5 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunTakes salt wind, reflected heat and hard clipping — the silver form is the same tough conocarpus lining UAE highways, just grown as a formal ball.
Yellow Oleander (Thevetia)
Cascabela thevetia
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room7–10 dSummer4–6 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunToxic to pets — show details
Severely toxic. Every part contains cardiac glycosides and the seeds are potentially fatal to children, cats and dogs. Wear gloves when pruning.
Flowers through peak summer on minimal water against reflected wall heat — but its toxicity rules it out of any garden used by small children or pets.
Carissa (Natal Plum) Hedge — 5 Plants
Carissa macrocarpa
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room5–7 dSummer3–4 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunPet caution — show details
Stems carry sharp forked thorns; the unripe fruit and sap cause stomach upset.
Thorny, drought-tolerant and scented, with edible ripe plums — the hedge to use when the boundary has a security job as well as a screening one.
Flax Lily (Dianella) — 3 Plants
Dianella tasmanica
AC airMediumDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room5–7 dSummer3–4 dSummer balcony: Yes, full sunPet caution — show details
Berries are not edible and cause stomach upset if eaten.
Gives a bed the vertical structure an ornamental grass does, but stays evergreen and tidy instead of dying back each year — and it works in real shade too.
Hopbush Hedge (Dodonaea viscosa) — 5 Plants
Dodonaea viscosa
AC airLowDry airHighDays between watering — check the soil first
AC room5–7 dSummer3–4 dPet-safe (ASPCA)Summer balcony: Yes, full sunCloses into a 2m screen faster than almost anything that survives an unshaded Gulf summer, and asks for less water than the ficus hedge most people default to.
View plant: Hopbush Hedge (Dodonaea viscosa) — 5 PlantsCare guide: Hopbush Hedge (Dodonaea viscosa) — 5 Plants
Full data table
All 107 plants, every rating. Watering columns are days between waterings, as ranges — check the soil first. Pet safety follows the ASPCA lists.
| Plant | Botanical name | Placement | Light | AC tolerance | Dry-air tolerance | Water, AC room (days) | Water, summer (days) | Difficulty | Pet-safe (ASPCA) | Summer balcony | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant 'Laurentii' | Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii' | Indoor & outdoor | Low to medium | High | High | 14–21 | 10–14 | Very easy | No — Saponins — vomiting and drooling if cats or dogs chew the leaves. | Shade only | 60–90 |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Indoor | Low light | High | High | 14–21 | 12–18 | Very easy | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed. | No | 60–90 |
| Golden Pothos | Epipremnum aureum | Indoor | Low to medium | High | Medium | 7–12 | 5–8 | Very easy | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth and throat irritation if chewed. | Shade only | 100–200 |
| Chinese Evergreen | Aglaonema commutatum | Indoor | Low to medium | High | Medium | 7–14 | 6–10 | Very easy | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed. | No | 45–70 |
| Rubber Plant | Ficus elastica | Indoor | Bright, indirect | High | Medium | 7–14 | 6–10 | Easy | No — Milky latex sap — irritant to mouth and skin. | Shade only | 90–180 |
| String of Hearts | Ceropegia woodii | Indoor | Bright, indirect | High | High | 10–14 | 8–12 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 60–150 |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe barbadensis miller | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | High | High | 14–21 | 10–14 | Very easy | No — Aloin in the leaf skin — vomiting and lethargy in cats and dogs. | Shade only | 30–50 |
| Monstera Deliciosa | Monstera deliciosa | Indoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Medium | 7–12 | 5–8 | Easy | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed. | No | 100–180 |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Ficus lyrata | Indoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Medium | 7–10 | 5–8 | Moderate | No — Milky latex sap — irritant to mouth and skin. | No | 120–200 |
| Bird of Paradise - Large | Strelitzia nicolai | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 7–10 | 4–7 | Moderate | No — Toxic seeds and sap — vomiting and drowsiness in cats and dogs. | Shade only | 150–250 |
| Areca Palm | Dypsis lutescens | Indoor & outdoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Low | 5–7 | 3–5 | Moderate | Yes | Shade only | 150–200 |
| Bamboo Palm - Privacy Rectangle | Chamaedorea seifrizii | Indoor | Low to medium | Medium | Low | 5–8 | 4–6 | Moderate | Yes | Shade only | 150–200 |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum wallisii | Indoor | Low to medium | Medium | Medium | 5–7 | 4–6 | Easy | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth and throat irritation if chewed. | No | 40–60 |
| Red Anthurium | Anthurium andraeanum | Indoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Low | 5–7 | 4–6 | Moderate | No — Calcium oxalate crystals — mouth irritation if chewed. | No | 40–60 |
| Orchid | Phalaenopsis hybrid | Indoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Low | 7–10 | 5–7 | Moderate | Yes | No | 40–70 |
| Calathea Orbifolia | Goeppertia orbifolia | Indoor | Low to medium | Low | Low | 5–7 | 3–5 | Advanced | Yes | No | 50–70 |
| Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exaltata | Indoor | Low to medium | Low | Low | 3–5 | 2–4 | Advanced | Yes | No | 40–60 |
| Spider Plant | Chlorophytum comosum | Indoor | Bright, indirect | Medium | Medium | 7–10 | 5–7 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 30–45 |
| Jasmine | Jasminum sambac | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 4–6 | 2–4 | Moderate | Yes | Shade only | 60–120 |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Advanced | Caution — Linalool and linalyl acetate — mild nausea in cats and dogs if eaten. | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 30–50 |
| Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus gunnii | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Moderate | No — Eucalyptus oils — vomiting, drooling and weakness in cats and dogs. | Yes, full sun | 100–200 |
| Bougainvillea Bush | Bougainvillea glabra | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–3 | Easy | Caution — Sharp thorns, and sap that can irritate skin. | Yes, full sun | 80–150 |
| Hibiscus 'Red' | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Moderate | Yes | Yes, full sun | 80–150 |
| Desert Rose (Adenium) | Adenium obesum | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 14–21 | 7–10 | Very easy | No — Cardiac glycosides throughout the plant — genuinely dangerous to cats, dogs and children if eaten. Keep out of reach. | Yes, full sun | 40–80 |
| Frangipani (Plumeria) | Plumeria rubra | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 4–6 | Easy | Caution — Milky sap is an irritant to skin, eyes and mouth. | Yes, full sun | 100–180 |
| Nerium Oleander | Nerium oleander | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Very easy | No — Every part is highly toxic to people and pets, including smoke from burning clippings. Not for homes with pets or young children. | Yes, full sun | 120–200 |
| Ixora Chinensis Red | Ixora coccinea | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 4–6 | 2–3 | Moderate | Yes | Yes, full sun | 60–120 |
| Premium Olive Tree - XL | Olea europaea | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 150–250 |
| Foxtail Palm — 180cm | Wodyetia bifurcata | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 180–300 |
| Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta) | Cycas revoluta | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | High | 10–14 | 5–8 | Easy | No — Cycasin — severe liver failure in dogs, often fatal, and the seeds are the most toxic part. Do not plant where a dog can reach it. | Yes, full sun | 60–120 |
| Dwarf Date Palm — 150cm | Phoenix roebelenii | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 5–8 | 2–4 | Easy | Caution — Sharp spines at the frond base can puncture skin. | Yes, full sun | 120–200 |
| Ghaf Tree — UAE National Tree | Prosopis cineraria | Outdoor | Full sun | High | High | 10–14 | 5–10 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 150–300 |
| Sidr Tree (Ziziphus) | Ziziphus spina-christi | Outdoor | Full sun | High | High | 10–14 | 5–10 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 150–300 |
| Agave (Blue Attenuata) | Agave attenuata | Outdoor | Full sun | High | High | 21–30 | 10–14 | Very easy | No — Saponins in the sap, plus rigid terminal spines that can injure. | Yes, full sun | 60–120 |
| Succulent 6-Pack | Mixed Crassulaceae and Echeveria | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | High | High | 14–21 | 7–12 | Very easy | Caution — Mixed tray — Echeveria and Sedum are non-toxic, but Crassula (jade) causes vomiting in cats and dogs. | Shade only | 8–20 |
| Curry Leaf Tree (Murraya Koenigii) | Murraya koenigii | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 80–180 |
| Lemon Tree (Omani) — 100cm | Citrus limon | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 4–6 | 1–3 | Moderate | Caution — Citrus oils and psoralens in the peel and leaves upset cats and dogs. | Yes, full sun | 100–200 |
| Herb 4-Pack — Mint, Basil, Rosemary, Parsley | Mixed culinary herbs | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 2–4 | 1–2 | Moderate | Yes | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 20–40 |
| Flame Tree (Delonix regia) — 30Ltr | Delonix regia | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–4 | Easy | Caution — Seeds and pods cause stomach upset if eaten by dogs or livestock. | No | 800–1200 |
| Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia) — 50Ltr | Tabebuia rosea | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–4 | Moderate | Yes | No | 600–1000 |
| Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia) | Bauhinia × blakeana | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 5–7 | 3–4 | Moderate | Yes | No | 400–600 |
| Golden Shower Tree (Cassia) | Cassia fistula | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Easy | Caution — Pods and seeds are a strong laxative — keep them off the ground where dogs forage. | No | 500–900 |
| Copperpod / Yellow Flame (Peltophorum) | Peltophorum pterocarpum | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Easy | Yes | No | 800–1200 |
| Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) — 30Ltr | Azadirachta indica | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–14 | 5–7 | Very easy | Caution — Leaves and seed oil are toxic to cats and to dogs in quantity; the fruit stones are a choking risk. | No | 800–1500 |
| Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia) | Caesalpinia pulcherrima | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Seeds and pods cause vomiting if eaten; the stems carry thorns. | Yes, full sun | 200–350 |
| Mediterranean Fan Palm — Multi-Trunk | Chamaerops humilis | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 10–14 | 5–7 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 200–300 |
| Sago Palm — Large 18Ltr | Cycas revoluta | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | High | High | 10–14 | 7–10 | Easy | No — Severely toxic. Every part, and the seeds most of all, causes liver failure in dogs and cats — often fatal. Do not buy this if you have pets that chew. | Shade only | 120–200 |
| Ficus Panda — Standard 18Ltr | Ficus microcarpa 'Panda' | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 7–10 | 3–4 | Easy | No — Milky sap irritates skin and causes vomiting in cats and dogs if chewed. | Yes, full sun | 200–400 |
| Silver Damas Ball (Conocarpus) | Conocarpus lancifolius 'Sericeus' | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 150–250 |
| Wild Jasmine Hedge (Clerodendrum) — 5 Plants | Clerodendrum inerme | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Caution — Fruit and leaves cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity. | Yes, full sun | 150–250 |
| Hopbush Hedge (Dodonaea viscosa) — 5 Plants | Dodonaea viscosa | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 200–300 |
| Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) | Hibiscus tiliaceus | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 400–600 |
| Yellow Bells Tree (Tecoma stans) — 30Ltr | Tecoma stans | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Seed pods cause stomach upset if eaten by dogs. | Yes, full sun | 300–500 |
| Yellow Oleander (Thevetia) | Cascabela thevetia | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 4–6 | Very easy | No — Severely toxic. Every part contains cardiac glycosides and the seeds are potentially fatal to children, cats and dogs. Wear gloves when pruning. | Yes, full sun | 250–400 |
| Peregrina (Jatropha integerrima) | Jatropha integerrima | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 5–7 | 3–4 | Easy | No — Sap irritates skin and eyes; seeds are toxic to people and pets if swallowed. | Yes, full sun | 200–300 |
| Red Pseuderanthemum | Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 4–6 | 2–3 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 60–120 |
| Mandevilla Tower — Trellised 30Ltr | Mandevilla sanderi | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Moderate | No — Milky sap irritates skin and causes vomiting in cats and dogs if chewed. | Shade only | 200–300 |
| Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Red) | Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 5–7 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 90–120 |
| Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) | Portulacaria afra | Indoor & outdoor | Bright, indirect | High | High | 14–21 | 10–14 | Very easy | Yes | Shade only | 100–150 |
| Ruellia Blue Tray — 6 Plants | Ruellia simplex | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 60–90 |
| Ruellia White Tray — 6 Plants | Ruellia simplex 'Alba' | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 60–90 |
| Alternanthera Green Tray — 6 Plants | Alternanthera ficoidea | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 3–4 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 20–30 |
| Chinese Violet (Asystasia) Tray — 6 Plants | Asystasia gangetica | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Yes | Shade only | 30–50 |
| Bloodleaf (Iresine) Tray — 6 Plants | Iresine herbstii | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 40–60 |
| Flax Lily (Dianella) — 3 Plants | Dianella tasmanica | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Berries are not edible and cause stomach upset if eaten. | Yes, full sun | 50–80 |
| Sea Purslane (Sesuvium) Tray — 6 Plants | Sesuvium portulacastrum | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 5–7 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 10–20 |
| Railroad Vine (Ipomoea) — 3 Plants | Ipomoea pes-caprae | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Seeds of Ipomoea species are toxic if eaten in quantity. | Yes, full sun | 20–40 |
| Portulaca Sun Jewels Tray — 6 Plants | Portulaca grandiflora 'Sun Jewels' | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 15–25 |
| Ficus Nitida Hedge — 5 Plants | Ficus microcarpa var. nitida | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 5–7 | 2–3 | Easy | No — Milky sap irritates skin and causes vomiting in cats and dogs if chewed. | Yes, full sun | 200–400 |
| Carissa (Natal Plum) Hedge — 5 Plants | Carissa macrocarpa | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Stems carry sharp forked thorns; the unripe fruit and sap cause stomach upset. | Yes, full sun | 150–250 |
| Golden Duranta Hedge — 5 Plants | Duranta erecta 'Gold Mound' | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | Medium | 4–6 | 2–3 | Easy | No — Berries and leaves are toxic to cats and dogs, and the berries are a known hazard to children. | Shade only | 100–180 |
| Wedelia Ground Cover — 6 Plants | Sphagneticola trilobata | Outdoor | Part sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 20–30 |
| Tecoma / Cape Honeysuckle | Tecoma capensis | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 3–4 | Very easy | Caution — Seed pods cause stomach upset if eaten by dogs. | Yes, full sun | 200–300 |
| Damas Tree (Conocarpus) | Conocarpus lancifolius | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Very easy | Yes | No | 800–1500 |
| Petunia Tray — 6 Plants | Petunia × atkinsiana | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 2–3 | 1–1 | Easy | Yes | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 20–30 |
| Vinca Tray — 6 Plants | Catharanthus roseus | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 3–4 | 1–2 | Very easy | No — Vinca alkaloids throughout the plant — vomiting, tremors and worse if a dog or cat eats any quantity. | Yes, full sun | 25–40 |
| Marigold Tray — 6 Plants | Tagetes patula | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 2–3 | 1–1 | Very easy | Caution — Mildly irritant sap; eating a quantity upsets a dog's stomach. Not dangerous, but not a plant to let a puppy strip. | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 20–35 |
| Portulaca Tray — 6 Plants | Portulaca grandiflora | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Caution — Soluble oxalates — a mouthful irritates; a large quantity is a problem for a small dog. | Yes, full sun | 10–20 |
| Bougainvillea 'Pink Pixie' | Bougainvillea glabra 'Pixie' | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Easy | Caution — Thorns, and a sap that irritates skin. The scratch is the realistic risk, not poisoning. | Yes, full sun | 30–60 |
| Croton Outdoor (Codiaeum) | Codiaeum variegatum | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 5–7 | 2–3 | Easy | No — Milky latex containing diterpene esters — burns the mouth, and causes vomiting in cats and dogs. | Shade only | 40–90 |
| Plumbago 'Blue' | Plumbago auriculata | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Very easy | Caution — Plumbagin in the sap irritates skin and the mouth. Mild, but wear gloves when you cut it back. | Yes, full sun | 60–150 |
| Pentas & Lantana Colour Pair | Pentas lanceolata + Lantana camara | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 3–5 | 1–2 | Very easy | No — The Lantana half is the problem: unripe green berries are genuinely toxic to dogs, cats and children, and the foliage causes liver damage in grazing animals. Pentas on its own is harmless. | Yes, full sun | 40–80 |
| Gardenia (Cape Jasmine) | Gardenia jasminoides | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Low | 3–4 | 1–2 | Advanced | No — Gardenoside in the fruit and foliage — vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs. | Shade only | 40–90 |
| Arabian Jasmine (Sambac / Motia) — Outdoor | Jasminum sambac | Indoor & outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 60–150 |
| Star Jasmine Climber | Trachelospermum jasminoides | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 150–300 |
| Mandevilla Climber | Mandevilla sanderi | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 3–4 | 1–2 | Moderate | No — Milky sap of the Apocynaceae family — irritant, and vomiting if a pet chews the stems. | Shade only | 100–250 |
| Golden Trumpet (Allamanda) | Allamanda cathartica | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | No — Every part is purgative — the species name is literal. Sap irritates skin; ingestion causes serious vomiting and diarrhoea in pets and children. | Yes, full sun | 100–250 |
| Crape Jasmine (Tabernaemontana) | Tabernaemontana divaricata | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | No — Milky alkaloid-bearing sap — vomiting in cats and dogs, skin irritation on contact. | Yes, full sun | 90–180 |
| Cordyline Red (Ti Plant) | Cordyline fruticosa | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Low | 4–6 | 2–3 | Moderate | No — Saponins — vomiting, drooling and dilated pupils in cats; stomach upset in dogs. | Shade only | 60–150 |
| Ornamental Fountain Grass | Pennisetum setaceum | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Very easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 60–120 |
| Cherry Tomato Plant | Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 2–3 | 1–1 | Easy | No — Solanine in the leaves, stems and unripe green fruit — the ripe tomato is fine, the plant is not. | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 60–150 |
| Strawberry Plant | Fragaria × ananassa | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Low | 2–3 | 1–1 | Moderate | Yes | Winter only (Oct-Apr) | 15–25 |
| Calamansi Lime | Citrofortunella microcarpa | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 4–6 | 1–2 | Easy | Caution — Citrus oils and psoralens in the peel and leaves upset cats and dogs. | Yes, full sun | 60–150 |
| Pomegranate Tree | Punica granatum | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–3 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 100–250 |
| Guava Tree — 100cm | Psidium guajava | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Yes, full sun | 150–300 |
| Mango Tree — 120cm | Mangifera indica | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 3–5 | 1–2 | Moderate | Caution — Sap and skin contain urushiol, the compound in poison ivy — a contact rash risk for sensitive people when pruning or picking. | Yes, full sun | 150–400 |
| Lemon Tree - XL | Citrus × limon | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 4–6 | 1–2 | Moderate | Caution — Citrus oils and psoralens in the peel and leaves upset cats and dogs. | Yes, full sun | 150–250 |
| Areca Palm — Outdoor 150cm | Dypsis lutescens | Indoor & outdoor | Part sun | Medium | Low | 4–6 | 1–2 | Easy | Yes | Shade only | 150–300 |
| Traveller's Palm (Ravenala) — 200cm | Ravenala madagascariensis | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Low | 3–4 | 1–1 | Moderate | Yes | Yes, full sun | 200–500 |
| Yucca Rostrata — 120cm | Yucca rostrata | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 10–14 | 5–8 | Very easy | No — Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins cause vomiting if chewed, and the leaf tips are genuinely sharp — the puncture risk to a child's eye is the one to plan around. | Yes, full sun | 100–200 |
| Euphorbia Cactus Column | Euphorbia trigona | Indoor & outdoor | Full sun | High | High | 14–21 | 7–10 | Very easy | No — Caustic white latex — it causes chemical burns on skin and serious injury in the eye. Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting, and keep it away from pets and children. | Yes, full sun | 60–180 |
| Ficus Nitida Ball — 120cm | Ficus microcarpa 'Nitida' | Outdoor | Part sun | Medium | High | 4–6 | 2–3 | Easy | No — Ficus latex irritates skin and the mouth; vomiting in cats and dogs that chew the leaves. | Yes, full sun | 120–200 |
| Hibiscus Standard Tree — 120cm | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | Medium | 2–4 | 1–1 | Moderate | Yes | Yes, full sun | 100–180 |
| Desert Rose — Specimen | Adenium obesum | Outdoor | Full sun | High | High | 10–14 | 5–7 | Easy | No — Cardiac glycosides throughout — genuinely dangerous. Ingestion affects the heart in pets and children; the sap is the traditional arrow poison of the Sahel. | Yes, full sun | 50–100 |
| Bougainvillea Pillar — 180cm | Bougainvillea spectabilis | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Easy | Caution — Long thorns and irritant sap. Site it away from a walkway; the scratches are the real hazard. | Yes, full sun | 180–300 |
| Frangipani — Mature Specimen 200cm | Plumeria rubra | Outdoor | Full sun | Medium | High | 7–10 | 3–5 | Easy | No — Milky sap irritates skin and the mouth; vomiting in cats and dogs. | Yes, full sun | 180–300 |
| Cedar Tree | Cupressus sempervirens | Outdoor | Full sun | Low | High | 5–7 | 2–4 | Moderate | Yes | Yes, full sun | 200–400 |
How we built this
One row per plant species in the Heavenly Plants catalogue, written for UAE conditions rather than generic global care. “AC room” means a 22–24°C air-conditioned apartment at roughly 30–40% relative humidity. “Summer” means outdoors or on a bright balcony from May to September. Watering intervals are ranges because pot size and light change them. Pet safety follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists; “caution” marks mild, disputed or part-of-plant toxicity. A plant is left out rather than guessed at, and pots, bundles and artificial plants are excluded. Last updated 14 October 2026.
Cite this
Free to cite with a link to heavenlyplants.ae/plant-index.
Heavenly Plants (2026). The UAE Plant Index: 107 plants rated for UAE conditions. Last updated 14 October 2026. https://heavenlyplants.ae/plant-index
Questions the index answers
- Which plants in the UAE Plant Index cope best with air conditioning?
- 15 of the 107 plants are rated high for tolerance of cool, dry, moving AC air: Agave (Blue Attenuata), Aloe Vera, Chinese Evergreen, Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra), Euphorbia Cactus Column, Ghaf Tree — UAE National Tree, Golden Pothos, Sidr Tree (Ziziphus), Snake Plant 'Laurentii', Succulent 6-Pack, ZZ Plant, Desert Rose — Specimen, Rubber Plant, Sago Palm — Large 18Ltr and String of Hearts. 3 indoor plants are rated low and should be kept away from vents.
- Which plants in the UAE Plant Index are non-toxic to cats and dogs?
- 46 plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA lists. For indoors: Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra), Arabian Jasmine (Sambac / Motia) — Outdoor, Areca Palm — Outdoor 150cm, Spider Plant, String of Hearts, Areca Palm, Bamboo Palm - Privacy Rectangle, Jasmine, Orchid, Boston Fern and Calathea Orbifolia. A further 24 are marked caution (mild or part-of-plant toxicity) and 37 are toxic; each card shows the specific hazard.
- Which plants in the index stay outdoors on a Dubai balcony from May to September?
- 61 plants are rated to survive a full-sun Dubai balcony through summer, including Agave (Blue Attenuata), Carissa (Natal Plum) Hedge — 5 Plants, Desert Rose (Adenium), Euphorbia Cactus Column, Flax Lily (Dianella) — 3 Plants, Ghaf Tree — UAE National Tree, Hopbush Hedge (Dodonaea viscosa) — 5 Plants, Mediterranean Fan Palm — Multi-Trunk, Nerium Oleander, Ornamental Fountain Grass and 51 more. Another 24 manage the summer only in shade, such as Aloe Vera, Chinese Violet (Asystasia) Tray — 6 Plants, Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra), Golden Pothos and 20 more.
- How often do plants in the index need watering in an AC room versus in summer?
- Indoors in a 22–24°C AC room the intervals run from 3 to 21 days between waterings. Outdoors or on a bright balcony from May to September they run from 1 to 18 days, and 64 of the 93 outdoor-capable plants need water at least every 4 days. These are ranges, not schedules: check the soil first.
- Can I cite or reuse the UAE Plant Index data?
- Yes. The index is free to cite with a link to heavenlyplants.ae/plant-index. The full table is on this page and as a CSV download at heavenlyplants.ae/plant-index/data.csv, last updated 14 October 2026.