We get a lot of news about toxic plants, flowers, and fragrances in our homes. The sad realities of pets who accidentally ingest these plants can be frightening. How about we review the best plants to have in your home that are both pet friendly and pet approved?
Fur babies and plants. We love them both, but we have to be cautious in our knowledge of what kind of environment we are providing our pets in the home we share with them.
Always do your research or ask your vet before bringing a new plant into a home with pets.
Popular houseplants that are also pet-safe include spider plants, money plants, and Boston ferns.
Even if a plant is pet-friendly, insecticides used to keep it pest-free may still be toxic.
Popular indoor plants that are toxic for pets include devil's ivy, snake plants, and fiddle-leaf figs.
1. Bamboo Commonly referred to as golden or fishpole bamboo, this plant makes for great patio foliage that's safe for both cats and dogs. Other types, however, like heavenly or sacred bamboo and lucky bamboo can be toxic to cats. 2. True palms The palm family (arecaceae) offers a few varieties that can be safely kept with pets, including the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) and ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata). But the sago palm is not a true palm and is quite toxic.
3. African violets
African violets (Streptocarpus ionanthus) are the ideal marriage of a green houseplant and a bouquet of flowers. Their pinkish-purple blooms bring color to any home and are safe to have around pets.
4. Spider plants The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), also known as the airplane plant, spider ivy, and ribbon plant, is a popular houseplant that's both pet-safe and great for hanging up high so animals aren't as tempted by it. Spider plants are great for new plant parents because they are low maintenance, propagate easily, and are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. 5. Cast iron plants
This glossy plant (Aspidistra elatior) with a deep emerald shade is native to Japan and has a reputation for being nearly indestructible. This is the perfect option for those who spend more time with their furry pals than their green thumb.
6. Prayer plants
Prayer plants (Calathea insignis) are ideal for the plant parent who likes a little color and unique patterns in their greenery. These popular houseplants are safe for both cats and dogs and fun to watch at night when their leaves move upward.
7. Boston ferns
Like spider plants, Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis) make great hanging plants and thus perfect for keeping out of a pet's reach, although many cats may still get within reach — luckily, the two can safely co-exist.
8. Haworthia succulents Pet parents use caution: Aloe vera plants have a strong resemblance to the haworthia succulents (Asphodeloideae), but only the latter are non-toxic to pets. Haworthia succulents are easy to care for and require watering less frequently than other houseplants. 9. Chinese money plants With its unique appearance, this houseplant (Pilea peperomioides) — also known as the UFO plant or pancake plant — is a great addition to any home with pets. The self-propagator is easy to care for and adorable to look at (just like your fur babies). 10. Select herbs 10. Thyme
Indoor herb gardens can provide beauty and fragrance to your home and have gained popularity. According to the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage are safe to both cats and dogs. Parsley, however, is a toxic herb.
11. Rubber plants
The rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) — not to be confused with the rubber tree, which is toxic to pets — has glossy oversized leaves that look almost succulent-like. They're easy to grow indoors, especially in spots with bright natural light.
There are a handful of popular houseplants that are known to be toxic to pets, including:
Devil's ivy (Pothos)
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Swiss cheese plants (Monstera deliciosa)
Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata).
While pothos are vining plants and can be placed high up or in a hanging planter to keep out of a pet's reach, it's always safer for your pet's health not to have these around as cats especially will enjoy getting to them.
Quick tip: If you'd like to confirm the toxicity of any plants you already own, the ASPCA's non-toxic houseplant database is a useful resource.
What to do if your pet eats a toxic plant
If your pet does happen to nibble on or consume a toxic plant, the best thing to do is immediately call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline.. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about your pet and the plant they consumed.
Information for this blog post provided by ASPCA's non-toxic houseplant database.
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