Pet-Friendly Houseplants
Most people know that some combinations of pets and plants do not mix. Some plants have compounds that can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Other plants are sensitive to leaf damage and do not thrive if they get munched on or battered by enthusiastic tail wags. Luckily, there are several plants that can cohabitate with our furry friends. The plants listed below are all nontoxic to dogs and cats.
1. Boston Fern – Boston Ferns are commonly grown indoors and look especially nice in hanging baskets. They tolerate low light environments, but they do not like extreme temperatures so keep these house plants in a room with a stable temperature.
2. Peperomia – These plants have beautifully patterned foliage that makes them popular for desks, hanging baskets, and windowsills. They come in so many colors you will certainly be able to find one to match your décor. Peperomia are also good for beginners because they don’t require a lot of care.
3. Prayer Plant – This plant has stunning foliage. Its leaves will open and close with the light so it prefers an environment with a changing light environment, but not direct light. They do like some humidity so misting them is a good idea.
4. Haworthia – These spiky hedgehog-looking succulents are low maintenance plants that have become popular desk plants. It is important to note that not ALL succulents are pet friendly, but the hardy haworthia is. They do not like too much water and prefer bright indirect light.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum) – This plant is one of the most popular houseplants because it is so forgiving. It tolerates a wide range of soil, light, and humidity conditions. Spider plants will also form little plantlets you can break off and root to increase your indoor plant collection.
There are a few caveats to plant and pet interactions. These plants listed above are nontoxic but pets that eat too much plant material can still have digestive trouble like vomiting and diarrhea. The occasional nibble will not poison them, but it is still best to keep plants in an area the pets can’t reach. If you have a habitual plant eater, it might be best to re-home your foliage friends. If you have plants that are not listed above and you’d like to find out if they might be a problem for your pets, the ASPCA maintains a list of Toxic and Non-Toxic plants.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
