Many pet lovers would also like to bring some nature into their homes. One of the major concerns is that the plants may be toxic to their dogs or cats. When introducing plants into a pet-friendly home, you want to make sure that if your pet accidentally munches on a leaf, they won’t end up at the vet. Let’s take a look at some great houseplants that aren’t toxic to dogs and cats.
Spider plant
One of the plants that are commonly sold as indoor plants is the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). These plants are easy to care for and recommended for beginners. You don’t need to have a green thumb to keep these plants alive. They do well with occasional neglect and grow in most areas of the home. It is a brilliant starter plant that is also completely pet-friendly. The spider plant is also quite easy to get hold of, making it a winner in every respect.
Staghorn fern
These plants do great in hanging baskets and are even mounted directly onto walls. They need minimal soil and are very easy to grow. These plants have two types of leaves. One of the leaves is heart-shaped and is the flatter part of the plant. The other set of leaves is shaped like deer horns and sticks out of the plant. The staghorn fern, or Platycerium spp., is non-toxic to cats and dogs and can be grown indoors and outdoors. It can also be propagated very easily.
Tillandsia
Other non-toxic plants include Tillandsia or airplants. They don’t need soil and can be grown in almost any room in the home. They can be placed on shelves, in a small vase or even in glass jars hanging from the ceiling or walls. This makes them even harder to reach for your pets as well. They require minimal maintenance and are very interesting plants to keep in the home.
Boston fern
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is another established favourite when it comes to houseplants. It is feather-like in appearance and look beautiful. Boston ferns are non-toxic to pets. They are easy to care for and enjoy moisture and indirect sunlight. They can often be found in bathrooms that have showers and windows to let in light as they thrive in these conditions. They become lush and gorgeous if taken care of.
Prayer plant
Another non-toxic plant that is a lovely addition to a pet-friendly home is the prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura). This plant, also known as Maranta plant, has the curious habit of folding its leaves together in an upright position at night, making it look as if the hands are joined in prayer. This is the reason for its more common name. These plants look beautiful in hanging baskets or on a shelf. They are easy to care for and are also a great topic of conversation.
Maidenhair fern
Another plant in the fern family, the maidenhair fern with its feathery fan-shaped leaves, is treasured for its lush appearance in the home. These ferns (Adiantum spp.) need a lot of moisture. They require a bit more attention than many of the previously mentioned plants, but they are so beautiful that it is worth spending more time on them. This is another plant that thrives in humid conditions as long as it can get some light as well. Maidenhair ferns are non-toxic like most ferns and make a wonderful addition to your pet-friendly home.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is more than just a houseplant. It is also an evergreen herb. Delicious in cooking and completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is a plant that originally hails from the Mediterranean and needs a lot of sunlight. Make sure the plant gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day and is not too wet. While you don’t want it to dry completely, you can try bottom watering as this plant doesn’t like to be overwatered.
Blue bird
This stunning non-toxic succulent (Echeveria) is a rosette-shaped plant that doesn’t like to be cold. Keep it in a warm, sunny place in your home and make sure it is watered lightly. Being a succulent, it doesn’t like too much water or cold. Easy to care for, as long as the conditions are right, this is a great addition to your home.