7 Best Non-Toxic Climbing Plants for Your Home and Garden

If you’ve got kids or pets running around the yard, safety is probably your top priority when picking out new greenery. You want that lush, vertical look, but you don’t want to worry about anyone getting sick if they decide to do a little “taste test.” To help you out, I’ve rounded up seven of the best non-toxic climbing plants for your garden, plus a little-known “insider tip” that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

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++Grapevines (Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera)

Imagine plucking sweet, sun-warmed grapes right off the vine in your own backyard! Grapevines are fantastic non-toxic climbers and are actually easier to grow than you might think. If you train them along a trellis, these vigorous growers can easily create a 20-foot-wide living green wall. Just keep in mind that grapes only grow on new wood, so you’ll need to give them a proper pruning every year. Also, if you live in a colder climate, make sure to give them a little extra winter protection.

++Hardy Kiwi / Kiwi Berry (Actinidia arguta)

Hardy kiwis are becoming a huge hit with home gardeners, and for good reason—some varieties can handle temperatures as low as -30°F! These vines can reach up to 20 feet, winding themselves around any support you provide. After about two or three years, you’ll be rewarded with bite-sized, super-sweet fruits. They taste just like the big kiwis you find at the grocery store, but the best part? The skin is smooth and totally edible—no peeling required!

++Silver Lace Vine (Fallopia aubertii)

If you need a “quick fix” for an ugly fence or wall, this is your plant. The Silver Lace Vine is incredibly fast-growing, adding several feet of height every single year. It features lovely foliage that turns yellow in the fall before dropping for the winter. From June all the way through October, it’s covered in delicate white or pale pink flower clusters that bees and butterflies absolutely love. It’s a great way to add some safe, pollinator-friendly volume to your landscape.

++Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

Often called “Southern Ginseng” or the “Herb of Immortality,” Jiaogulan is still a bit of a hidden gem in American gardens. This climbing perennial can shoot up to 13 feet in a single season. The vibrant green, five-lobed leaves aren’t just pretty—they’re actually a healthy, exotic addition to salads or can be brewed into a tea. It’s hardy down to about 5°F, though the parts above ground will die back in the winter and sprout fresh again in the spring.

++Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)