Pet-safe House & Garden Plants

Plants are a wonderful addition to any home. I particularly love orchids. If you have pets, you want to make sure that the plants you have in and around your home are safe for them, as they tend to take a nibble once in a while. I came across this list of pet-safe plants to share with you.

 

Adapted from article By Jamie Mcintosh, Reviewed by Debra Lagattuta, Fact checked by Sarah Scott, thespruce.com, Updated on 01/27/22

 

Why do cats and dogs eat houseplants? Some people believe they do it to calm an upset stomach or help process hairballs, while others think pets are attempting to remedy a nutritional deficiency. Cats and dogs might even chew on houseplants during play sessions, attacking waving fronds as they would a toy. It can be difficult to keep a houseplant away from a pet that is determined to chew, so it’s up to us to ensure that any plants we grow in the home are safe and non-toxic to cats and dogs. Except for edibles like cat grass, it’s always better to keep valued houseplants out of a pet’s reach if you can, but the plants described here are recognized by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as being non-toxic to cats and dogs.

 

Although it is helpful to know which houseplants are safe for cats and dogs, it is very important to be aware of the houseplants that are harmful to them.

 

 

1. Gloxinia or Sinningia speciosa plants are popular gift plants, especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. If you receive one of these gorgeous bloomers, you won’t need to worry about it harming your cat or dog. Provide indirect light and constant moisture for this Brazilian native.

 

 

2. African violets (Saintpaulia) are one of the most popular flowering houseplants due to their ability to bloom in low light and their affinity for the same environmental conditions that people like: moderate temperatures and average humidity. Choose a soil-free potting mix and use a balanced fertilizer for the best African violet health.

 

 

3. Baby Tears. This creeping mat of tiny green leaves of Soleirolia soleirolii adds character to terrariums, small hanging baskets, and as a companion plant around the base of indoor trees. Baby tears plants cover the soil and might discourage pets that like to dig in your houseplants.

 

 

4. Banana Tree. Large houseplants like the weeping fig make a bold statement in the home but are toxic to cats and dogs. However, the banana tree (Musa) is a dramatic accent plant that is safe for all pets. Rich soil, bright light, and regular watering will emulate the natural habitat of the banana tree.

 

 

5. Spider Plant. Thank you, spider plant (Chlorophytum), for looking just as cool today as you did in grandma’s kitchen in 1978. Also known as ribbon plant or airplane plant, the spider plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs and will tolerate a wide range of light, moisture, and soil conditions.

 

 

6. Venus Flytrap. Carnivorous plants make a fun and funky addition to a houseplant collection, but what happens when a kitty wants to pounce on one of those traps when they snap shut? Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) are non-toxic to cats and dogs, so a curious nibble won’t result in a trip to see a veterinarian. Bright light and irrigation with distilled water will keep your traps in fly-catching condition.

 

 

7. Areca Palm. Also known as the butterfly palm, Dypsis lutescens makes any interior feel like a piece of the tropics. Sometimes palm fronds can trigger a cat’s playful swatting and biting instincts, so it’s comforting to know that the areca palm isn’t toxic for cats or dogs. Place it in a bright room, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

 

 

8. Boston ferns (Nephrolepis) are an enduring houseplant favorite, but their shaggy fronds might tempt cats and dogs to chew on them. The foliage is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so brighten up your guest room or bathroom with these lush plants. Boston ferns prefer humidity and lots of bright, indirect light.

 

 

9. Calathea spp. plants also called zebra plants or peacock plants, bear large tropical leaves with fascinating stripes or stippling. A calathea is an excellent choice for a shady spot in the house, as too much light can cause the foliage color to fade.

 

 

10. Friendship Plants (Pilea involucrata) is a trailing plant with fragile stems that thrives in high humidity. It does well as a terrarium specimen, making it even more unlikely that your cat or dog will take an unauthorized nibble. Chinese Money Plants (Pilea Peperomioides) are a type of Friendship Plant.

 

 

11. Polka Dot Plant. The green, pink, red, and white splashed foliage of Hypoestes phyllostachya is so ornamental that you won’t need to worry about providing the perfect conditions to trigger blooming that many houseplants need. Although non-toxic to cats and dogs, sensitive pets might experience mild digestive upset if they consume large quantities of the polka dot plant or other non-toxic plants.

 

 

12. Peperomia. The diversity of colors and textures across the Peperomia species keeps them on the shortlist of popular houseplants. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, look great in hanging baskets, and don’t mind if you forget to water occasionally.

 

 

13. Orchid (my favorite!) If you have a passion for orchids (Orchidaceae), you can safely add them to your go-to list of pet-safe plants. Many orchids bloom for weeks in the winter when days are short, thriving in partial light and root-bound conditions.

 

 

14. Mosaic Plant. Along with the mosaic plant, one of the common names of Fittonia albivenis is the nerve plant, which has the ominous sound of something that affects the nervous system. However, this rainforest native with lovely white or pink veining on its leaves is non-toxic to cats and dogs. The small houseplant thrives in low light with moderate watering.

 

 

15. Bromeliad. The tough, strappy leaves of the bromeliad and the curious cone-shaped blooms make bromeliad plants (Bromeliaceae) favorites as houseplants. These pet-safe plants are easy to maintain, needing only a bright window and a humid environment. Many bromeliads will grow as soil-free epiphytes attached to a log, making them even more pet-friendly for those cats that like to dig in potting soil.

 

 

16. Ponytail Palm. What self-respecting cat can deny itself a passing swat at the alluring leaves of the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)? These non-toxic plants thrive in bright light and like their water on the dry side.

 

 

17. Purple Waffle Plant. The textured leaves of the purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis ‘Exotica’) offer all-season interest for those who don’t grow flowering houseplants. Bright indirect light will help to maintain the purple coloration without bleaching the leaves. Purple waffle plants are known as great air purifiers, keeping the environment healthy for you and your pet.

 

 

18. Royal Velvet. Gynura aurantiaca plants look like something from a psychedelic garden come to life. The velvety hairs on the leaves are almost iridescent and are at their most vibrant in bright light conditions. To prevent root rot, water only when the soil is dry.

 

 

19. Haworthia. No need to drop any cash on a faux succulent at the hobby store; haworthia is the real thing, and it’s almost as easy to care for as the fake version. Place your haworthia in bright light, and water weekly in Summer, less frequently in Winter. Unlike similar-looking aloe plants, all members of the large Haworthia genus are safe for cats and dogs.

 

If you’re looking for the perfect place for your fur and plant family, call me at (510) 406-4863.

 

Best,

 

Joujou