Safe and Beautiful: A Guide to Pet Friendly House Plants for Your Home
- Meghan Minister
- Jun 21
- 6 min read
Creating a home that is both beautiful and safe for pets can feel like an overwhelming task for pet owners. Fortunately, there are many house plants that are non-toxic to our furry companions that can enhance the visual appeal of any room. This guide will explore both flowering and non-flowering pet-friendly plants and practical tips for incorporating them into your home.
The Importance of Choosing Pet-Friendly Plants
Certain plants can pose serious health risks to pets; beautiful flowering plants such as lilies, azaleas and tulips can be highly toxic. If ingested (or in some cases even come into contact with), animals can display symptoms from gastric upset to more severe complications requiring urgent veterinary care, such as lethargy, seizures and even organ failure. By opting for pet-friendly plants, you can ensure a safe and enriching environment for both yourself and your pets. If you ever suspect your pet has come into contact with something poisonous, immediately contact your vet. Most vets have access to a worldwide network, the Vet Poison Information Service, which means they have access to crucial information when your pet needs it most.
Beyond safety, pet-friendly plants can significantly improve air quality, uplift mood, and lower stress levels. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, certain house plants can remove up to 87% of indoor air toxins within 24 hours, promoting a healthier living space. The comforting greenery they provide can create a welcoming atmosphere that benefits both humans and pets alike.
Flowering Pet-Friendly Plants
1. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
African violets are delicate flowering plants that can bloom year round under the right growing conditions. These pretty houseplants are available in more than 16,000 named varieties, and their flowers come in soft pink, lavender, purple-blue, and pure white. This plant is small but mighty, and with so many varieties available, they are a fun and inexpensive way to add a little colour to any windowsill.
In addition to their colourful presence, African violets are non-toxic to dogs and cats, making them an ideal choice for pet owners. To care for your African violets, keep away from direct sunlight by either putting a sheer curtain to filter the light, or place them around a foot or two away from a bright east or south facing window. Water your plant when the surface feels slightly dry to the touch, and try not to water the leaves to prevent rot.
2. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Known for its vibrant blooms that emerge during the festive season, the Christmas cactus is another excellent option. These popular houseplants are long lived and easy to grow. Their colours range from red to pink, mauve or white, and sometimes yellow, and their flowers can be either a single colour or several colours combined. The Christmas cactus definitely lives up to it's festive name, as it can easily be given as a gift! It is easy to take cuttings from Christmas cacti, so you can produce many more plants from your original and give them to friends and family.
This plant is safe for pets and can flourish in indoor environments. Originally coming from tropical rainforests, they prefer a warm location and humid air. These tropical plants like warm temperatures of 18–20°C (65–69°F) in spring and summer, bright but indirect light, humid air and regular watering. They also prefer a drier, cooler spell in autumn, with a drop of about 5°C (10°F), to encourage flowering. Once the display fades, give them a second cool spell. With proper care, it can grow and produce flowers for years, making it a lasting addition to your home.
3. Bromeliads
Bromeliads are stunning plants that come in various shapes, sizes, and striking colours. They are remarkable for their unique appearance and can serve as a focal point in any room. These plants are real show-stoppers, producing large exotic blooms with vibrant petal-like bracts. The rosette of leaves often has a water-filled 'well' in the centre. The leaves may be boldly striped or suffused with various hues.
Bromeliads thrive in a warm, bright spot indoors. They like humidity and regular watering during the growing season, and very free-draining compost. With bromeliads that have a 'well' in the centre of the rosette, empty and refill it regularly to keep the water fresh.They are easy to care for and completely safe for pets, bringing not just beauty but also a sense of joy to your home.
Non-Flowering Pet-Friendly Plants
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is a classic house plant, easily recognized by its long, thin leaves that arch out from the centre, creating a fountain of foliage. Long, thin stems hang gracefully downwards, bearing small white flowers, followed by spider-like plantlets. Its air-purifying qualities make it especially valuable, as it can filter pollutants from the air.
Spider plants prefer a bright position indoors, with indirect or dappled light, but will also tolerate low light levels. Not only is the spider plant safe for pets, but studies show that it can remove up to 90% of indoor air toxins, making it an excellent choice for enhancing indoor environments.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns add lush greenery to any room, an evergreen fern with an upright spreading habit. It can grow around 90cm tall and wide. The broadly lance-shaped, pinnate fronds grow upright initially before arching and then drooping with age. Good for air purification thriving in high humidity and indirect sunlight. This makes them particularly well-suited for spaces such as bathrooms or kitchens.
These ferns can help raise humidity levels, benefiting both plants and pets. They are completely safe for your furry friends, allowing you to enjoy their beauty without worry.
3. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlour palms offer an elegant touch to your home with their graceful fronds and minimal care requirements. They are evergreen palms with slender, solitary or clustered stems which bear large leaves.
Parlour palms prefer bright but indirect light and free-draining compost that is acidic (ericaceous) to neutral. They like regular, light watering, ideally with rainwater, once the top of the compost dries out. Keep at 20–27°C (68–80°F) for best growth. Safe for both dogs and cats, the parlour palm maintains a stylish presence without compromising a pet-friendly environment.
Benefits of House Plants
Improved Air Quality
House plants are known to improve air quality by filtering out harmful toxins and releasing oxygen. This can lead to a fresher environment not just for humans but also for pets. Strategically place several plants around your home to enjoy cleaner air.
Stress Relief and Mental Health
Research indicates that having plants in your living space can alleviate stress and anxiety. In fact, a study by the University of Hyogo found that hospital patients with plants in their rooms reported a 20% reduction in pain. A calm atmosphere can also benefit pets, who might sense their owner's emotional state.
Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal
Pet-friendly plants can create a vibrant indoor landscape that elevates your home's décor. Adding greenery not only brightens your space but also fosters a comforting atmosphere, inviting relaxation for both you and your pets.
Tips for Incorporating Plants Safely
Placement: Position plants out of pets' reach to prevent accidental nibbling. Consider hanging plants or placing them on high shelves to protect your greens.
Educate Yourself: Learn about plant types safe for your pets and keep a reference list handy while shopping. Also learn of any symptoms that can be displayed if your pet does get hold of your plants.
Observation: Monitor how pets interact with new plants. If your pet shows unusual interest, reconsider where you place these plants.
Watering and Maintenance: Ensure plants receive proper care. An unhealthy plant can attract pests that may harm your pets.
Rotate Your Collection: Occasionally change the arrangement of your plants. This keeps your surroundings fresh for you and your pets and maintains their curiosity.
A Pet-Friendly and Beautiful Home
Transforming your home into a space that is both stylish and safe for your pets does not have to be a dilemma. With an array of flowering and non-flowering plants to choose from, you can enrich your living space while ensuring safety for your furry friends.
Selecting non-toxic options like African violets, bromeliads, and spider plants enhances your home’s beauty and promotes happiness and peace for both pets and their human companions. Enjoy creating your green sanctuary!
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