You may be both a pet- and plant parent, so you have to be extra careful about bringing pet-safe houseplants into your home. Here are five houseplants you can bring in to freshen up your space without worrying about your fur babies’ safety.
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Nothing makes a room feel more inviting and fresher than a couple of houseplants. But if you share your home with a cat or dog, you have to be extra careful when you choose your leafy additions. Some popular houseplants are toxic when chewed or swallowed, so before bringing a plant into your home, double-check whether they’re safe.
Luckily, there are lots of pet-friendly and non-toxic options that can add beauty to your indoors without putting your pets in unnecessary risk.
Boston fern
The Boston fern is lush and leafy, and completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. Even if they do ingest the plant and experience stomach upset, it’ll be because of the fibre, not poison. Place in the bathroom, kitchen or somewhere with bright indirect light and humidity.
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Spider plant
This is a great choice for pet-friendly homes, as well as for beginner plant parents. It works well in a hanging basket or on shelves because of its long, arching leaves. Still keep it out of reach of your pets as consuming a lot of it can cause diarrhoea.
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Areca palm
This is one of the safest tropical houseplants, especially if you have curious pets. The feathery fonds add movement and height, and they’re easy to care for. Keep the soil slightly moist and give it lots of bright, indirect light.
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Peperomia
They come in a variety of leaf shapes, patterns and colours – perfect for desks, shelves or bedside tables. They’re considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, and they like low indoor light with the soil allowed to dry slightly between waterings.
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African violet
If you like a flowering plant, the African violet is an excellent choice. The colourful blooms brighten a windowsill and the plant doesn’t pose the same risk to pets as many other popular flowering plants. Water carefully to avoid soggy soil and place them in bright, indirect light.
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A final word of caution
Just because a plant is non-toxic doesn’t mean it’s edible. Any plant material can cause stomach upset if your pet eats enough of it. If your cat or dog tends to nibble on things, rather keep your plants out of reach to be completely assured they’ll be safe.
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Featured image: Pexels
