Living with plants in the home provides numerous health benefits as well as brightening the indoor space and giving it a healthy, fresh vibe. So go out and pick up several houseplants to enjoy their benefits and to enhance your home. However, if you have pets at home, make sure to select pet-friendly plants to keep them safe. There are plenty of beautiful plants that are also pet-friendly, and the floral experts here at Mancuso’s Florist, St. Claire’s premier flower shop, have listed our ten favorites for your home.
Safe Plants for Pets
Spider Plant
Quick-growing, hard to kill, and easy to care for, the Spider Plant is a popular houseplant. Long, thin, grassy-like leaves create volume and color with yellow edging the green leaves. Spider Plants are pet-safe and are great for purifying the air.
Parlor Palm
Another great plant with volume, movement, and energy, is the Parlor Palm. This is a lush green plant that will liven up even a low-lit room. Attractive green leaves that break into many smaller leaflets exhibit its native rainforest home. Beautiful and lush, the Parlor Palm is pet-friendly.
Calathea Orbifolia
An ornate plant with broad green leaves embellished with pale silver stripes, the Calathea Orbifolia is a uniquely beautiful plant that thrives indoors with the proper care. Indirect sunlight and a humid environment are what it likes best. A wonderful plant to add to your collection, the Calathea Orbifolia is also pet-safe.
Bird’s Nest Fern
Another unique-looking plant is the attractive Bird’s Nest Fern . Light green leaves grow in length to nearly two feet and exhibit crinkled, wavy edges that give this plant real character. With lots of texture, rhythm, and energy, the Bird’s Nest Fern will liven up any room, plus it’s perfectly pet safe.
Ponytail Palm
For a delightfully whimsical plant that’s sure to be a talking piece, pick up a Ponytail Plam for your home. Easy to grow and hard to kill, this plant is actually a succulent and stores water in its trunk. Sprouting from the trunk’s top are numerous skinny green leaves that cascade down in waves resembling a ponytail. A remarkable plant with lots of energy and movement, the Ponytail Palm is pet-frienldy.
Haworthia / Echeveria
The Haworthia and Echeveria group of succulents come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. These types of succulents are popular for their diverse looks and decorativeness. All types of Echeveria and Haworthia succulents are pet-friendly which will make succulent collectors very happy.
Boston Fern
The Boston Fern is a versatile plant that can grow even in low lighting conditions making it a popular houseplant found in many households. Plus, with its lovely green color and lush foliage, this plant is one of the best air purifiers. Boston Ferns are pet-friendly and look great in hanging planters.
Polka Dot Plant
If you’d like a plant with a little more color besides green, then consider the colorful Polka Dot Plant. As its name suggests, this plant is decorated with colorful “dots” across its large green leaves. Besides pink, other color combinations include, red and green, white and green, and pink and white. A super-cool plant with style, Polka Dot Plant is safe for pets.
Watermelon Peperomia
Many Peperomia plants are attractive, but the Watermelon variety is stunning with its leaves decorated in a pattern that looks like a watermelon. This is the perfect ornamental plant to enhance any area of your home. The Watermelon Peperomia is also safe for pets.
Orchid
Orchid lovers and collectors will be happy to know that this exotic and lovely plant is pet-friendly. With magnificent blooms that come in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes, the Orchid is a striking plant that has many devotees.
How to Find Out if Your Plant Is Toxic
If you want to add to your houseplant collection and you’re not sure if a plant you just chose is pet-friendly, then visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website, for an extensive list of plants toxic plants and flowers.
How to Protect Your Pets
It’s a good idea to train your pets to stay away from all plants (and flowers) even if they are not toxic. After all, you want to protect your greenery from your pets, too. However, there may come a time when something toxic is ingested by a dog or cat. In that case, you should be aware of the signs of poisoning which include, diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Keep plants in cordoned-off areas, in hanging planters, or on high shelves to be safe. Plants and animals living in harmony together will allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
