Pet-friendly houseplants: Safe plants for cats and dogs
Plants and dogs are two of our favorite furry friends in life. The bad news is that many popular plants are not good for cats and dogs. When some plants are consumed by pets, they can become deadly, causing seizures, tremors, and even death.
Even the most well-behaved pets are going to consume a houseplant at some point. Since we strongly advocate adding flora to your home to clean the air, raise your mood, and ensure the safety of your favorite pet.
It might be challenging to keep a houseplant away from a curious pet; thus, it is our responsibility to develop pet-friendly plants. Although understanding which houseplants are safe for cats and dogs is helpful, it is also essential to know which houseplants are not pet-friendly and are harmful to them.
Plants, on the other hand, may live side by side with cats and dogs. With the exception of delicacies such as cat grass, it’s typically advisable to keep costly houseplants out of the reach of pets wherever feasible.
You adore your pet and your houseplants. However, there are situations when the two just do not combine. Choose vegetation that will not harm your pets if you have a curious cat or dog, a new pet, or a small creature you know likes to nibble on your plants.
Unfortunately, several popular houseplants, such as Swiss cheese plants, aloe vera, etc. that, are toxic and can cause serious illness in animals if consumed.
List of non-toxic houseplants that are safe for pets: cats and dogs.
African Violet
It occurs in purple and pink varieties, takes minimal maintenance, and thrives in low light. Water African violets by allowing them to soak up water via the drainage hole in the container to avoid damaging the leaves and petals. Because it grows to be less than 12 inches tall, this flowering houseplant can enliven even the tiniest of settings and are pet-friendly houseplants.
Goldfish plant
This one-of-a-kind plant is pet-friendly and ideal for cat and dog owners!
The Goldfish Plant is a lovely blooming plant named by its flowers! Their red-orange flowers appear throughout the spring and summer.
Watermelon Plant
The aluminum plant (Pilea genus) is a lovely, pet-safe houseplant with variegated grey-and-green leaves. It grows well in medium to low light, stays under 12 inches tall, and requires water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Because it tolerates low light, you can grow it almost anywhere your dogs can’t reach.
Christmas Cactus
Like its dangerous holiday sister amaryllis, Christmas cacti are safe to keep around curious cats and dogs. Although you should not allow your dogs to chew on it, it is a better alternative than many other festive plants.
Christmas cacti are frequently confused with Thanksgiving cacti, despite the fact that both are pet-safe and require identical care. Both cacti grow very short (about 12 inches) but can spread up to two feet and do best with regular watering and bright, indirect light.
Baby’s Tears plant can be near pets safely
Soleirolia soleirolii’s spreading mat of tiny green leaves lends interest to terrariums, small hanging baskets, and as a companion plant at the base of indoor trees. Baby tears plants cover the earth and may stop pets from digging in your houseplants.
Spider Plant
This plant is popular among veterinarians because it is simple to grow indoors and extremely hardy. Spider plants are also excellent air purifiers, so they may assist in the removal of pollutants from your house.
Spider plants dislike bright light; it scorches their leaves. Though they can withstand lower light levels, they thrive best in solid indirect light at temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees F.
Parlor Palm
Place one on a nightstand away from a window, as this palm requires only a few hours of indirect light daily.
Parlor palms are naturally slow growers, taking several years to reach a height of three to four feet. For optimum results, keep this out of direct sunlight and keep the soil uniformly wet.
Succulents are pet friendly
Add some animal-friendly succulents, or a selection of air plants, to your countertop, and you’re set, as well as safe for your pet.
Though you won’t have to do much to care for these popular houseplants, make sure they get adequate direct sunlight and light watering every two weeks or so. Before you grab the watering can make sure the dirt is fully dry.
Polka Dot Plant is safe for pets.
In its native Madagascar, this eye-catching polka dot plant may reach heights of three feet. The speckled beauty in a planter inside your house will only grow to around 10 inches tall.
These unusual indoor plants require continual bright, indirect light as well as a modest amount of moisture in the soil. Keep temperatures between 70- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season and feed once a month. They are pet safe and pet friendly plants.
Friendship is pet friendly plants.
The name of the friendship plant comes from how readily it can be split and shared. If you get one as a gift, rest assured that your cats and dogs can eat the plant’s fluffy, wavy leaves. Friendship plants grow well in terrariums, tolerate medium and low light conditions, and seldom grow taller than 12 inches.
Lipstick
These unusual indoor plants, pet-friendly shrub has flowers that resemble lipstick tubes and is suitable for both cats and dogs (other members of the Peperomia family are, too). The lipstick plant, a tropical native, thrives in bright light and prefers to be outside throughout the summer. It may reach a height of 20 inches and likes consistently damp soil, so don’t forget to water!
Orchid
Orchids are among the most elegant plants. Fortunately, you may add one to your home without endangering your pet. Orchids may live for up to four months if properly cared for. They work best in low-light conditions. Water once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer.
This Asian orchid thrives in bright sunlight, warm temperatures, and humidity. It generally blooms once a year for up to three months, after which the petals fall off, but the blossoms revive the following season.
Bromeliad
A bright bromeliad is a perfect way to lend a tropical vibe to any environment. Bromeliads, which produce blossoms that may last for months, can liven up any location in which they are put. They need a lot of airflow, so an open space with windows and indirect sunlight, such as a living room, kitchen, or bedroom, is ideal.
Watering thoroughly every one to two months, as well as strong, indirect light, will guarantee that your bromeliads bloom to their maximum potential.
While houseplants may add lushness and color to a space, several kinds can be poisonous to pets who may nibble on a leaf or two.
Fortunately, there are many plants that may beautify your home without hurting your Furry friend. If your pet does nibble on a plant, even one that is unlikely to cause health concerns, keep a watch out for any indicators of a negative response. Just because a plant isn’t poisonous doesn’t mean it won’t cause stomach pain in your pet if he or she consumes it.