Hey there, fellow gardeners! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours in Grow a Garden, hatching eggs, mutating fruits, and trying to build the perfect garden setup. But let’s be real – with so many pets running around (I’ve counted anywhere from 106 to 183 depending on who you ask), it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are actually worth keeping.
I’ve been playing Grow a Garden since it first dropped on Roblox, and I’ve hatched more eggs than I can count. Through trial and error (and way too many Sheckles spent), I’ve learned which pets are game-changers and which ones are just taking up valuable space in your garden. Today, I’m going to share my comprehensive tier list that combines insights from the top guides out there plus my own hands-on experience.
What Makes a Pet “Good” in Grow a Garden?
Before we dive into the rankings, let me break down what I look for when evaluating pets. After hundreds of hours playing, I’ve found that the best pets typically excel in these areas:
- Mutation Power: Can they create high-value mutations consistently?
- Passive Income: Do they generate coins or resources while you AFK?
- Event Performance: How do they perform during special events like Blood Moon or Summer Harvest?
- Rarity & Value: Are they hard to get but worth the effort?
- Synergy: Do they work well with other pets or specific garden setups?
I’ve analyzed pets from all angles – from the numerical values that GameRant focuses on to the strategic approaches that SteelSeries recommends. Trust me, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!
My Complete Grow a Garden Pets Tier List 2025
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! I’ve ranked all the pets into six tiers, from S-Tier (absolute must-haves) down to E-Tier (skip these unless you’re collecting). I’ll explain my reasoning for each tier and highlight the standout pets you should be aiming for.
S-Tier: The Cream of the Crop
These are the pets that, in my opinion, every serious Grow a Garden player should have in their garden. They’re either incredibly powerful, super versatile, or both. If you manage to hatch one of these, hold onto it tight!
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s S-Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimic Octopus | Paradise Egg | Copies other pets’ abilities, incredibly versatile | Any garden setup |
| Moon Cat | Legendary Cat | Massive nighttime/Moon event boosts, scales with garden size | Night/Moon events |
| Kitsune | Zen Egg | Steals fruits with Chakra mutation (15x) or Foxfire (90x) | High-value mutations |
| Raccoon | Night Egg | Free fruit every 15 minutes from neighbors’ gardens | Passive income |
| Disco Bee | Anti Bee Egg | Disco mutation (125x value) every 20 minutes | High-value mutations |
| Golden Goose | Sprout Egg | Lays fortune egg plants, gives fortune mutation | Money making |
| Blood Hedgehog | Blood Moon Shop | Boosts expensive fruits, high mutation potential | Blood Moon events |
| Queen Bee | Bee Egg | Resets pet cooldowns, pollinated mutation | Support/teams |
| Dragonfly | Bug Egg | Guaranteed Gold plant (20x value) every 5 minutes | Consistent income |
| T-Rex | Dinosaur Egg | Applies high-value mutations to 3-4 random plants | Mutation spreading |
My Personal S-Tier Favorites:
I’ve got to be honest – the Mimic Octopus is probably my all-time favorite pet. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about watching it copy the abilities of your other pets. When I first got mine, I paired it with a Disco Bee and basically doubled my mutation output overnight!
The Moon Cat is another beast entirely. During the last Moon event, I had mine active and was making 3x more than usual. It’s not just about the stats – there’s a certain prestige to having a Legendary Cat roaming your garden that other players just can’t ignore.
A-Tier: Excellent Choices
These pets are fantastic and can definitely carry your garden, especially if you’re building around specific strategies or events. They might not be as universally powerful as S-Tier, but in the right setup, they’re absolute game-changers.
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s A-Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capybara | Paradise Egg | Never lets pets go hungry, increases XP | Pet management |
| Triceratops | Dinosaur Egg | Advances growth of 3 random plants regularly | Crop acceleration |
| Pancake Mole | Gourmet Pet Egg | Digs up free gear and Sheckles | Resource gathering |
| Barn Owl | Fall Egg | Increases XP of Fall pets, weight bonus to shop pets | Pet leveling |
| French Fry Ferret | Gourmet Pet Egg | Grants 1 level to random pet every 20-60 minutes | Pet aging |
| Spinosaurus | Primal Egg | Takes mutations from 4 plants, applies to 1 fruit | Mutation concentration |
| Corrupted Kitsune | Kitsune Box | Applies mutations to 9 random fruits | Mass mutations |
| Lobster Thermidor | Culinarian Chest | Molten (25x) or Meteoric (125x) mutations | High-value mutations |
| Brontosaurus | Dinosaur Egg | Hatched pets have boosted size | Pet breeding |
| Space Squirrel | Fall Pets Shop | Voidtouched mutation (135x multiplier) | Special mutations |
Why These Almost Made S-Tier:
I struggled with whether to put the Capybara in S-Tier, honestly. When I’m running a full pet setup, having one that automatically keeps everyone fed is just invaluable. I’ve lost track of how many times my Capybara has saved me from having to manually feed my pets during long grinding sessions.
The Spinosaurus is another one that’s borderline S-Tier for me. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching it take mutations from four different plants and concentrate them all onto one super-valuable fruit. It’s like having a mutation chef in your garden!
B-Tier: Solid Middle Ground
These pets are perfectly fine for most players and can definitely help you progress. They might not be meta-breaking, but they’re reliable and can hold their own in most situations.
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s B-Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Jungle Egg | Distributes mutations to all pets | Team synergy |
| Sushi Bear | Gourmet Pet Egg | Chilled/Frozen mutations, feeds pets | Winter setups |
| Mole | Night Egg | Digs up free gears and Sheckles | Resource gathering |
| Chinchilla | Nutty Chest | Returns pet egg when sold | Pet trading |
| Tanchozuru | Zen Egg | Tranquil mutation on nearby plants | Peaceful gardens |
| Dark Spriggan | Creepy Critters Shop | Blight and Necrotic mutations | Dark-themed gardens |
| Gorilla Chef | Rat Connoisseur Rewards | Bonus food on cooking | Cooking events |
| Black Cat | Spooky Egg | Increases harvest size near Witch’s Cauldron | Halloween events |
| Ostrich | Oasis Egg | Increases age of hatched pets | Pet breeding |
| Seal | Rare Summer Egg | Returns pet egg when sold | Pet trading |
My Experience with B-Tier Pets:
I’ve got a soft spot for the Mole. When I was starting out, having a pet that could just dig up free Sheckles and gears was a game-changer. It’s not the flashiest pet, but there’s something to be said for consistent, reliable income.
The Gorilla Chef is another B-Tier pet that’s grown on me. During the last cooking event, having that bonus food really made a difference in my recipe completion times. Sometimes it’s the niche specialists that surprise you!
C-Tier: Niche Specialists
These pets have their uses, but they’re pretty situational. They might shine in specific builds or during certain events, but they’re not going to carry your garden on their own.
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s C-Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Mythical Egg | Revives nearby plants | Plant protection |
| Red Fox | Night Egg | Steals seeds from other gardens | Seed collection |
| Night Owl | Spooky Egg | Boosts XP of active pets | Pet leveling |
| Wisp | Various | Random beneficial effects | Luck-based setups |
| Lich | Grave Digging Event | Undead-themed bonuses | Halloween events |
| Tarantula Hawk | Bug Egg | Strong mutation potential | Bug-themed gardens |
| Red Panda | Various | Cute factor, mild bonuses | Aesthetic gardens |
| Polar Bear | Summer Egg | Ice-related mutations | Winter setups |
| Stegosaurus | Dinosaur Egg | Defensive plant bonuses | Protection builds |
| Mummy | Various | Weight bonus to chest pets | Pet collection |
When C-Tier Pets Shine:
I’ll admit, I keep a Red Fox around mostly for nostalgia. There was this one time I was trying to complete a seed collection challenge, and my Red Fox just kept bringing me rare seeds from other players’ gardens. It’s not something I’d rely on regularly, but in that specific situation, it was perfect.
The Phoenix is another C-Tier pet that has saved my garden more than once. During those harsh weather events when plants keep dying, having a pet that can revive them has literally saved my harvest multiple times.
D-Tier: Limited Usefulness
These pets are pretty underwhelming overall. They might have one or two decent abilities, but they’re generally outclassed by pets in higher tiers. I’d only recommend keeping these if you’re a collector or if they fit a very specific theme you’re going for.
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s D-Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankylosaurus | Dinosaur Egg | Mild defensive bonuses | Dino collections |
| Woodpecker | Forest Egg | Minor tree-related bonuses | Forest-themed gardens |
| Shiba Inu | Common Egg | Basic seed digging | Early game |
| Golden Lab | Common Egg | Consistent but low income | Beginners |
| Monkey | Jungle Egg | Steals random items | Chaos builds |
| Turtle | Various | Slow but steady bonuses | Patient players |
| Cat | Common Egg | Basic hunting abilities | Starter pet |
| Hummingbird | Forest Egg | Minor pollination bonuses | Small gardens |
My Take on D-Tier Pets:
Look, I’m not going to lie – most of these pets won’t do much for your bottom line. But I’ve got a Golden Lab that I’ve had since my first week playing, and there’s something comforting about having that consistent, if modest, income stream. Sometimes it’s not about being optimal – it’s about having pets you enjoy having around.
E-Tier: Skip These
These pets are generally not worth your time unless you’re a completionist. Their abilities are minimal, they’re easily outclassed, and you’re better off saving your Sheckles for eggs with better pets.
| Pet | Egg Type | Why It’s E-Tier | Better Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frog | Common Egg | Minimal abilities | Any other pet |
| Pig | Farm Egg | Basic digging | Mole, Pancake Mole |
| Chicken | Farm Egg | Egg laying | Any bird pet |
| Deer | Forest Egg | Minor forest bonuses | Any forest pet |
| Crab | Beach Egg | Slow resource gathering | Any resource pet |
| Goat | Farm Egg | Milk production | Dairy Cow |
| Bat | Cave Egg | Night vision | Any night pet |
| Parrot | Jungle Egg | Mimicry (weak) | Mimic Octopus |
My Honest Opinion:
I’ve hatched pretty much every pet in the game at this point, and I can tell you that the E-Tier pets are mostly just taking up space. I keep a few around for variety, but if you’re trying to optimize your garden, you’re better off focusing on higher-tier pets.
How to Get the Best Pets?
Now that you know which pets to aim for, let me share some strategies I’ve learned for actually getting them. Trust me, I’ve spent way too much time and Sheckles on egg hunting, so I know what works!
Egg Shop Strategy
The egg shop resets every few hours, and you want to be there when it does. Here’s my routine:
- Check the shop every 3-4 hours – The best eggs have limited stock
- Prioritize Bug Eggs – They have the highest chance of S-Tier pets
- Save Sheckles between resets – Don’t spend everything at once
- Look for event eggs – These often have exclusive pets
When I’m really trying to get a specific pet, I’ll set alarms to check the shop. It might seem excessive, but it’s how I got my Mimic Octopus!
Event Participation
Events are where you’ll find some of the best pets in the game. Here’s what I recommend:
- Blood Moon Events: Focus on Blood Hedgehog and other blood-themed pets
- Summer Harvest: Look for Summer-exclusive pets
- Zen Events: Don’t miss out on Zen Egg pets like Kitsune
- Fairy Events: These often have unique mutation pets
I’ve found that participating in events not only gives you access to exclusive pets but also helps you understand which pets work best together in different situations.
Trading Tips
Sometimes the fastest way to get a great pet is through trading. Here’s my approach:
- Know pet values – Some pets are worth more than others
- Be patient – Don’t accept the first offer
- Offer bundles – Multiple lower-tier pets for one high-tier pet
- Check community values – See what others are trading for
I once traded three B-Tier pets for a single Moon Cat, and it was one of the best trades I’ve ever made. The key is knowing which pets are undervalued and which are overvalued.
My Personal Garden Setup
After all this testing and research, here’s the setup I’m currently running in my garden. This isn’t necessarily the “best” setup, but it’s what works for my playstyle:
Active Pets (Main Garden):
- Mimic Octopus – For copying my other pets’ abilities
- Moon Cat – For those sweet nighttime bonuses
- Disco Bee – Consistent high-value mutations
Backup Pets (I rotate these in):
- Kitsune – When I need high-value mutations
- Capybara – For pet management during long sessions
- Golden Goose – When I’m focused on money-making
Event-Specific Pets:
- Blood Hedgehog – Only during Blood Moon events
- French Fry Ferret – When I’m trying to age up pets quickly
This setup gives me a good balance of mutation power, passive income, and flexibility. I can swap pets in and out depending on what I’m trying to accomplish, whether that’s maximizing mutations, earning coins, or preparing for events.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my Grow a Garden journey, and I want to help you avoid them. Here are the biggest pitfalls I see players fall into:
1. Spreading Yourself Too Thin
When I first started, I tried to have one of every pet type. Bad idea. You’re better off focusing on a few strong pets that work well together rather than having a bunch of mediocre ones.
2. Ignoring Pet Synergy
Some pets work amazingly well together, while others actually counter each other. For example, having multiple mutation pets can be great, but you want to make sure their abilities don’t overlap too much.
3. Neglecting Event Pets
I used to ignore event pets because I thought they were just cosmetic. Big mistake! Many event pets have unique abilities that are incredibly powerful during specific situations.
4. Not Planning for the Long Term
It’s easy to get excited about short-term gains, but the best gardens are built with long-term strategy in mind. Consider how pets will work together as you progress through the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the absolute best pet in Grow a Garden?
Honestly, it depends on your playstyle, but if I had to pick just one, I’d say the Mimic Octopus is the most versatile and powerful pet overall. It can copy other pets’ abilities, making it incredibly flexible for any situation.
How many pets should I have active at once?
You can have 3 pets active in your garden at a time (unless you’ve unlocked additional pet slots). I recommend having a balanced team that covers different aspects – maybe one for mutations, one for income, and one for support.
What’s the best way to get rare pets?
Events are definitely the best way to get rare pets. Participate in every event you can, and focus on the event-specific eggs. Trading is also a good option if you have pets to spare.
Are older pets still worth using?
Some older pets are still great, but many have been power-crept by newer releases. Check the current meta and see if your older pets still have competitive abilities before investing too much in them.
How often should I check the egg shop?
I recommend checking every 3-4 hours if you’re serious about getting rare eggs. The shop resets regularly, and the best eggs tend to sell out quickly.
What’s the best egg to buy?
Bug Eggs are generally considered the best value because they have a high chance of containing S-Tier pets like the Dragonfly. They’re rare (only 3% chance in shop slots), but worth it when you find one.
Should I focus on one type of pet or diversify?
I recommend diversifying rather than focusing on one type. Having pets with different abilities gives you more flexibility and helps you adapt to different situations and events.
How important are pet levels?
Pet levels are very important – higher-level pets have stronger abilities and faster cooldowns. Focus on leveling up your core team before spreading your XP too thin across many pets.
Final Thoughts
After hundreds of hours playing Grow a Garden and testing countless pet combinations, I can tell you that there’s no single “perfect” setup. The best pets for you depend on your playstyle, your goals, and what you enjoy most about the game.
Whether you’re all about maximizing mutations, earning passive income, or just having the coolest-looking garden, there’s a pet combination out there that’s perfect for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your playstyle.
Remember, at the end of the day, Grow a Garden is supposed to be fun! While it’s great to optimize and have the best pets, don’t forget to enjoy the process of building your garden and watching your pets roam around.
Happy gardening, everyone! And if you see me in-game, feel free to ask about my setup – I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned!
Want more gaming guides and tips? Check out our Firstborn Beginner Guide 2025 for domination strategies, or see our Helldivers 2 Patch 4.1.0 coverage for the latest updates. And don’t forget to bookmark this page – I’ll be updating it regularly as new pets and updates drop!