Pet Friendly Plants: Which Houseplants Are Safe for My Furry Friend?

pet friendly plants

Pet Friendly Plants: Which Houseplants Are Safe for My Furry Friend?

Plants are a great addition to the home, adding a touch of color and a splash of life to almost any room’s decor. Plants are known to make you feel inspired, creative, and focused. They also purify the air in your home, leaving you feeling refreshed and healthy. If you have a dog or cat, it’s important to make sure you only add pet-friendly plants to your indoor or outdoor garden.

 

“Pet-friendly” means that the plant isn’t toxic to your pet. It won’t leave them feeling ill or needing to be rushed to the vet. These are plants you can keep anywhere in your home without worrying about your pet’s safety. Meanwhile, your room will be left looking livelier than ever!

 

 

What Are Pet Friendly Plants?

When you have a pet (especially a cat or dog) it’s very important to pet-proof your home. There is one important aspect of pet-proofing a home that a lot of people forget: making sure your plants are safe! Plants often seem harmless but some can actually make your pet dangerously sick. Pet-friendly plants are those you can safely have on display in your home without worrying that your pet will get sick if they chew on it.

 

Pet-safe plants are crucial, because it’s never a guarantee that the plants in your home will stay out of your pet’s reach. Cats are curious creatures, especially when it comes to things they know are off-limits. Even if you put a plant up high on a shelf or keep it in a room that’s usually blocked off, your cat will probably find a way to sneak over and nibble on the plant’s leaves.

 

Dogs have their own way of getting into things, too. If you turn your back for a second while repotting a plant, your dog might get into the mess and grab a bite before you can stop them. Plants that are toxic to pets are often dangerous for children as well. And you know how difficult it is to stop a toddler once they have their mind set on something. Rather than trying to hide a toxic plant from your tiny roommates, it is overall safer to choose plants that non-toxic to pets.

 

 

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Pet Friendly Indoor Plants

The following list is full of plants that are safe for cats and dogs. There are some plants out there that are toxic to cats yet safe for dogs, but for simplicity’s sake, we have created a list of plants you can safely place in your home no matter what pets you have in your family.

 

  • Rattlesnake Plant: The Rattlesnake Plant has vibrant, wavy leaves that shoot upward, giving it a very distinct look. The Rattlesnake Plant is also low maintenance. It can thrive in low light and with little watering.
  • Spider Plant: This is a hardy plant that is known for its resistance. No amount of forgetfulness or nibbling will easily kill this durable yet striking plant. It’s the perfect, pet-proof addition to any room. Keep one near your bedside to reap the benefits of its extreme air-purifying abilities.
  • Calathea Orbifolia: Large, waxy leaves set this plant apart from other indoor plants looking to spice up your living room decor. This type of Calathea requires partial shade, meaning it’s perfect on a bookshelf or other spot that doesn’t get a lot of sun.
  • Bird’s Nest Fern: This light-green, squiggly plant is striking to look at. Luckily, it can be placed just about anywhere since it thrives in low light and isn’t picky about humidity. And whether it’s in your bathroom or kitchen, you don’t have to worry about your cat taking a bite.
  • Boston Fern: This fern has a shaggy appearance that almost makes it look like a pet itself! But unlike most pets, the Boston Fern only has to be fed once every two months. This is a low-maintenance plant that will immediately bring some life into any room.
  • Polka Dot Plant: The potted Polka Dot Plant has large, dark-green leaves that feature purple paint-like splotches. This one-of-a-kind plant may look like a pretty craft project, but it contains no toxic ingredients that will harm your pet.
  • Watermelon Peperomia: This vibrant plant has circular green leaves with lighter streaks that give it a whimsical, watermelon-like appearance. Despite its nane, the refreshing Watermelon Peperomia doesn’t need a lot of sunlight or water to be happy.
  • Pilea Glauca: This plant has dripping tendrils that are a blend of pastel green and white. It’s one of the most beautiful pet-safe plants but not as easy to care for as some of the other options (though a little easier with our Pilea care guide). Place it in a location with filtered light and make sure the soil is always moist or it will quickly wilt.
  • Friendship Plant: The soft and small Friendship Plant has dark green leaves with white streaks that give it a unique appearance. It can survive in low light but you might want to move it to a sunny spot a few hours each day if you want it to thrive. And you definitely want it to prosper, since that means it may bloom pink flowers!
  • Areca Palm: This gorgeous plant will instantly become the focal point of any room no matter the layout. It can grow up to five feet tall and has big, eye-catching fronds. It’s lucky that the Areca Palm isn’t toxic to pets because this plant is impossible to hide!
  • Catnip: Even though these plants are all safe for your cat, that doesn’t mean you want your plants to be all chewed up. If you have an especially chompy kitty, try providing them with their own catnip plants. Cats are drawn to this plant (as well as catmint) so it’s the perfect distraction.

 

 

Pet Friendly Outdoor Plants

Plant lovers may not only want greenery inside their home — outdoor gardens have an incredible beauty of their own! But you still want to make sure that your outdoor plants are pet-friendly in case a neighborhood dog gets off its leash or feral cats decide to pay your home a visit.

 

  • Venus Flytrap: Despite its dangerous appearance, this unique plant is perfectly pet-friendly. It’s also pretty low maintenance. All it needs is about four hours of direct sunlight and distilled water to drink. This plant thrives on porches where it can prey on passing flies.
  • Dill: This feathery weed is dog-safe and even considered healthy for cats. This useful culinary herb grows easily outside since they need a lot of room.
  • Fuchsia: People often keep these pink and purple flowers outside in a hanging basket so the elegant flowers can attract hummingbirds. These beautiful plants are also safe for cats and dogs.
  • Purple Basil: This is another culinary treat that thrives in garden beds. And with its deep purple appearance, it’s also a striking addition to any landscape. This plant needs plenty of water and sun.
  • Sunflower: This large, yellow plant is a summer favorite. They grow several feet tall, making them a striking addition to any yard.
  • Coral Bells: The Coral Bells’ leaves range from green to orange, growing tiny flowers along the stem. It’s hard to pick between all the color varieties. Luckily, all Coral Bells are safe for cats and dogs!
  • Snapdragons: These vibrant, colorful plants are easy to grow and safe for all pets. The paper-like flowers range from yellow to red to purple, climbing up tall stems.

 

Pet Friendly Flowers

One of the hardest plants to own when you have a pet (especially a cat) are ones that flower. It’s very hard to find flowers that aren’t toxic to your pets. We did the research and compiled a list of plants that will provide colorful, beautiful flowers without harming your cat or dog.

 

Remember to always check the ASPCA’s list of toxic plants before purchasing a plant for your home or garden. A lot of popular flowers are dangerous for your furry family members, including daffodils, lilies, and tulips.

 

  • African Violet: These plants are easy to grow and provide endless color to your home. They will bloom beautifully even in indirect sunlight. They are so safe that some families even eat them. So don’t be afraid to load your home with this beautiful plant.
  • Gloxina: These Brazil natives need just a sunny window and moist soil to blossom in vivid shades of blue, pink, purple, or red.
  • Orchid: This elegant plant will make your home look delicately chic. All they need is partial light and watering once a week (twice a week in hotter months). Even though this delicate plant is safe for pets, you may still want to keep it out of reach from your furry friends so it doesn’t get damaged.
  • Bromeliad: This tropical plant will brighten up any room. Just give them plenty of air flow and indirect sunlight near a window. This plant is great in a bright, open bedroom.
  • Christmas Cactus: This short plant grows best with regular waterings and bright, indirect light. They produce gorgeous red flowers around the holidays. They are easy to propagate, meaning you can give Christmas Cactus to your friends and family as a gift. While generally safe for pets, this plant can make your pets feel a bit of discomfort if they eat excessive amounts.
  • Lipstick Plant: This is a tropical plant that thrives in bright light. You can even bring it outside in the warmer months. Just remember to keep its soil moist since it’s used to a humid environment. They grow colorful flowers that look like tubes of lipstick.

 

 

Is It Important to Buy a Pet Friendly Plant If You Have Pets?

It is very important to purchase pet-friendly plants when you have furry friends running around your home. This can get a little frustrating since a lot of the more colorful plants are toxic to your pets.

 

Sometimes pet owners think they can simply keep a plant out of reach, but having a plant in your home that is dangerous to your pets is simply not worth the risk. Luckily, there are a lot of pet-friendly plants to choose from, and a lot of them have lovely flowers!

 

 

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What Can Happen if My Pet Eats a Toxic Plant?

If your pet ingests a toxic plant you’ll notice some of the following signs:

 

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Shaking
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Seizures
  • Lack of appetite

 

Keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior and appearance if you suspect that they might have ingested a toxic plant. Some pets might not show their sickness right away. You should also check the plants for signs that your pet chewed them. If you see any pieces of leaf missing, you need to take immediate action.

 

The first thing to do is to put your pet in a safe space away from the toxic plant. You don’t want them to eat more of it. Keep them away from other animals in the home as well.

 

When you’re sure that your pet is secure, call your vet right away. Even if your pet appears normal, it’s important to have them checked by a veterinarian just to be safe.

 

Meanwhile, don’t try to force your pet to vomit. This might make things worse and leave your pet irritated. Make sure your pet doesn’t groom themselves, as the toxins may still be on their fur. Though, don’t wash your pet unless the vet says it’s okay.

 

When you bring your pet to the vet, they might recommend giving your pet IV fluids. The veterinarian might also induce vomiting under their expert supervision. Some vets might administer activated charcoal, which will absorb the toxic plant. Depending on the toxin, some pets might need further treatment.

 

 

Where Can I Find Pet Friendly Plants?

We know how important it is for you to keep your pets safe! Planted Pot has a great variety of pet-friendly plants that will improve your home’s decor while keeping your pet safe and healthy. Our Snake Plants are hardy and versatile and our Purple Orchids are dainty and elegant.

 

Planted Pot’s houseplants are healthy, vibrant, and lively. You’ll immediately notice your room appears more alive. Our plants add a mature, decadent look to any decor. And don’t be afraid to place them on your coffee table or hang them in the kitchen — your pets will be perfectly safe!

 

 

Final Thoughts – Pet Friendly Plants

If you have a cat or dog, it’s important to make sure your plants are pet-friendly. That includes indoor and outdoor plants. A pet-friendly plant is not toxic to your pet, meaning it’s safe to have around your dog or cat without worrying about your pet ingesting it.

 

There’s luckily a wide variety of pet-friendly plants for inside the home and out in the garden. This ranges from vibrant, flowering plants to exotic tropical species and stunning ferns. All of these plants will make your home look spectacular while keeping your pets safe.

 

Feel free to place them anywhere in the home, whether it’s a delicate orchid on your desk or a beautiful fern dangling from a hanging basket in the kitchen. Your pet might get curious and take a bite, but it won’t make them sick!

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