At Earth’s Ally, we care about our plants just as much as we do about our canine companions. However, pets and plants don’t appear to get along all that often. Many of our favorite plant species, as well as many popular herbal remedies, are toxic to cats and dogs. Learn more about our top 10 pet-friendly houseplants in the next paragraphs, as well as about the solutions we develop to keep our homes and gardens healthy without using harsh chemicals.
#1 Haworthia Succulent (Haworthia species)
Want to protect your pets while still enjoying the low-maintenance beauty of plants of the aloe genus? The best plant for you is a haworthia. This chic small succulent simply needs a little water once a week and would look wonderful in a sunny location.
#2 Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
The Boston Fern is a reliable houseplant with thick fronds that expand quickly with minimal attention. They thrive in a slightly humid climate, making bathrooms with some filtered sunlight an ideal location for them. Despite having what appear to be delicate leaves, Boston ferns are remarkably hardy.
#3 Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Several well-known and eye-catching plants, such as the trendy Chinese money plant, the variegated aluminum plant, and the simple-to-procreate friendship plant, belong to the Pilea genus. These plants prefer a lot of indirect light and are said to be safe for cats and dogs.
#4 Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Pets may have concerns about palms, but the parlor palm is thought to be non-toxic. This tall, graceful plant is suitable for pets and does well in dimmer lighting conditions as well. They usually grow to a height of around four feet, but with care, they can grow as tall as eight feet.
#5 Banana Palm (Musa acuminata)
The banana palm is another substantial accent plant that is secure for your dogs. If you have lots of space, a banana plant is a fantastic option because of its enormous, glossy leaves and remarkable size.
#6 African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
Look no further than the African violet for a pop of color. The African violet, a native of Tanzania with alluring purple, pink, blue, or white blossoms, is regarded as safe for pets. This low-maintenance plant doesn’t worry if the light isn’t as strong.
#7 Gloxinia Flower (Sinningia Speciosa)
The Sinningia genus encompasses everything from the most extravagant flowers to the tiniest, most delicate ones. They are frequently called Gloxinia and are widely used as gift plants. If you get one of these gorgeous things as a gift from a friend, you don’t have to worry about your dogs.
#9 Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are referred to as “unkillable houseplants” and produce festoons of lovely striped leaves. The best part is that spider plants produce baby mini-plants that grow into their pots from the main plant. Spider plants are a great option for pet-friendly gardens because they’re so simple to grow and maintain.
#10 Air Plants (Tillandsia)
They only need water and sunlight to survive. They are safe for cats and dogs because there is no soil for your pets to spill. They can be grown in a variety of containers with weekly watering.
Pet Safe Plant Care
The first step in creating a safe habitat for pets is selecting a non-toxic plant. Due to sporadic overwatering, common pests including scale, aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats virtually always affect indoor plants. Think about safe alternatives to common treatments when those annoying bugs appear.
For an immediate kill on soft-bodied insects, use an essential oil insecticide like Earth’s Ally Insect Control. When used as instructed, Earth’s Ally is extremely successful in treating pest issues and safe for People, Pets, & the Planet. It is made from rosemary, clove, and peppermint oils.
With the help of these suggestions, you may make a secure haven for your animal pals out of a lush oasis. We’d be interested to know how Earth’s Ally is assisting you in raising wholesome indoor plants that are safe for dogs and cats. Connect with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share your pet photographs, have access to our most recent blog posts, giveaways, and special offers.
Are cats safe to handle palm mix plants?
Underrated are palm trees. They are easily maintained, readily accessible at retailers like IKEA and Lowe’s, safe and non-toxic to cats, dogs, and birds, and they grow swiftly. While Fiddle Leaf Figs and Monsteras are oversaturated on Instagram, I personally would love to see more #palmlove.
My first Majesty palm and one of my first indoor plants is Harold (shown top). He has endured a mealybug infestation, sweltering summer heat, and my negligent mothering mistake of leaving him outside in subfreezing weather. He somehow recovered. Because they are resilient, palms will become your favorite large pet-safe plant if you pay attention to them and appreciate them. They are also among the best plants for cleaning the air in your house.
Are felines poisoned by palm branches?
Few trees in a tropical or subtropical garden can match a palm tree’s majesty and romance (Arecaceae). Fortunately for individuals who have both palm trees and pets, domestic animals are not thought to be poisoned by the leaves of a real palm. Although it may survive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10, the common sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is exceedingly poisonous. Sago palms are cycads, which have been present on Earth for more than 150 million years but are not really palms.
Can cats safely use cat palm trees?
- Chamaedorea cataractarum is its scientific name.
- Common names include Mexican Hat Palm, Cataract Palm, Cascade Palm, and Cat Palm.
- 36 feet in length
- Toxicity: Safe for use around dogs and cats
Cat Palm, also known as Chamaedorea cataractarum, is a species of palm with long, glossy leaves and clumpy, thick growth. In the USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10, they are extensively grown outdoors, and they do well in direct sunlight. These plants can endure a variety of soil types as well as temperatures as low as 30F for brief periods of time. Cat palms can reach heights of up to 8 feet in the ideal environment.
In different hardiness zones across the nation, most people typically bring these plants indoors because they prefer warmer climates. The fact that cat palms are non-toxic to both cats and dogs makes them the ideal indoor plant.
Cats can safely consume Areca palm plants.
known as the “Areca Palm.” The Areca Palm is non-toxic and can be placed almost anyplace inside, in contrast to several other types of palm that may be hazardous to cats. Your cat may be curiously piqued by its wispy palm fronds and end up swiping or possibly chewing anything they can get their claws on. It’s crucial to remember that despite being non-toxic, you still want to watch out for them chewing up whole fronds since this could result in a gastrointestinal obstruction.
Can cats eat bamboo palm?
The following reasons make the plants on this list deserving of your attention:
- It has proven to be capable of phytomedicating well-known air contaminants indoors.
- It is safe for both humans and animals to consume.
- In a domestic context, it can grow rather easily.
Please take note: edible does not equate to nontoxic. Consuming a harmless plant may have unfavorable effects like stomach upset. When bringing new plants into your home, keep an eye on your dogs and young children and contact poison control, your neighborhood veterinarian, or the ASPCA right away if any plant matter is consumed.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The bamboo palm, commonly referred to as the reed palm, naturally grows in humid climates like those in Mexico and Central America.
It is a common indoor plant since it is a NASA Clean Air variety and is safe for humans, dogs, and cats to consume.
This graceful beauty may grow to a height of seven feet and makes a lovely botanical focal point with its fluffy green fronds and clusters of brown fibrous stalks. Yellow blooms are produced by it.
The bamboo palm is quite simple to maintain and is hardy and inexpensive. It grows well in low-light environments, just like all of NASA’s study plants. It does, however, thrive in brighter light as long as it is indirect.
Palms prefer moist, but not soggy, soil. I like to use an unadorned takeout chopstick to gauge the wetness.
This is how:
Simply bury one in the ground to a depth of approximately one-third the pot’s overall depth. It’s time to water if it’s dry when you take it out.
Your palm will let you know what it needs, like most plants do:
- If the fronds start to turn brown, you might need to provide additional water.
- If they are yellow, you might need to water the plant less or take it out of the sun.
- Discoloration and the emergence of what appear to be “dirt” on fronds but are actually small insects can both be signs of a mite infestation.
I prefer to use my electrostatic duster on the fronds each week as I clean because dust and dryness are appealing to these pests.
After using the duster, make sure to shake it outside before washing it.
Additionally, the misting that I advise is another approach to prevent small vermin from establishing a home. If you have access to a shower or the outdoors, give your palm a good rinse every so often.
If, despite your best efforts, you find signs of mites, prepare a solution by combining one tablespoon of baby shampoo or another mild soap with half a gallon of water.
Test your mixture on the top and bottom of one frond using a spray bottle. If everything is fine, wait a day to make sure it doesn’t harm your plant, and then spray each leaf in the same way.
To keep mites at bay, this treatment may be repeated periodically. If that doesn’t work, get some insecticidal soap from your neighborhood nursery and use it as directed.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerberas are harmless to humans, dogs, and cats, making them another one of NASA’s wonder plants.
This daisy-like flower, which comes in a rainbow of hues and grows in clusters in perennial beds, has green lobed, hairy leaves and is frequently displayed outside.
It’s interesting that while it’s not a member of the daisy family, it is related to the sunflower (just like sunchokes are), and is frequently the highlight of cut bouquets.
Gerberas will survive low light, much like all of NASA’s study kinds. However, they favor a few hours of morning sunlight each day.
The gerbera needs just enough moisture to prevent its roots from drying up because it is a plant from an arid environment.
I insert a clean, dry chopstick or finger two to three inches into the ground, and if it comes up dry, I know it’s time to water.
When water starts to drip from the drainage holes, I like to take my gerbera to the kitchen sink and gently run the tap over the dirt. I leave it there until the drip stops, at which point I move it back to a bright area.
Instead of a florist who normally sells cut flowers, get gerberas from a nursery, and steer clear of buying during the times when gifts are being given for the holidays.
Plants produced as gifts frequently die off soon after flowering because they weren’t raised for longevity.
When a gerbera blooms, be sure to remove any spent flowers by making a clean cut just above the leaves along the stem.
This process, known as “deadheading,” redistributes energy to sustain subsequent flowering.
My cat eats palm leaves, but why?
Since cats are carnivores, they will usually prefer to consume meat than vegetables. Therefore, it’s a good sign that something might be wrong if your cat often consumes palm leaves or other houseplants.
There is a hypothesis that cats devour plants because they are uncomfortable inside. A cat may try to eat plants to ease its discomfort if it is queasy or unwell. Plants can either cause vomiting or assist fill the stomach.
If your cat still eats houseplants, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. Any medical causes of internal discomfort, including as food allergies or vitamin deficiencies, can be ruled out with the assistance of your veterinarian.
Are cats safe to handle Majesty palm plants?
The Majesty Palm is the most frequent palm found at large box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, and it has the power to transform any space into something straight out of a spa. They make excellent pet-safe houseplants and are comparatively simple to care for. Cats are obsessed, so beware. My first palm was almost completely consumed by both, which looked terrible and made me unhappy. You could always put them up high where cats can’t reach them or make a quick repellant to spray on the fronds. Keep palms out of direct sunlight, which will cause the leaves to turn brown. I water my palm once a week (less frequently in the winter), let it drain, and then put it back on its saucer. In general, they prefer temperatures that are higher than 70 degrees. Look for the plant’s label to contain the term Ravenea rivula.
Silver Ribbon Fern
This gorgeous long-leaf fern adapts nicely to indoor environments and thrives there throughout the summer. These grow bushy and look very lush in a bathroom or workplace. They are completely safe for pets. Cat consumption is moderate. My cats haven’t eaten any of my fern, however they do sneakily look at it. Keep the soil moist (checking roughly 1-2 times a week) and mist the area with a spray bottle to maintain humidity. Choose a spot that gets some light sunlight.
Bunny Cactus
These lovely cactus are not only wonderfully adorable and cheery (perfect), but also useful scratching posts for my cats (not ideal). Although they have TINY thorns that would make you unhappy if they got lodged in your finger, I prefer these since they are quite durable cacti. They look best when planted together or in a planter with other non-toxic succulents (see this post). Basic medical treatment is, well, very basic. Allow to thoroughly dry, and only wet when absolutely necessary. Bear in mind that they typically inhabit deserts.
Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns can be either wall-hung or left in pots. They are also fluffy! As a vegan alternative to antlers, mount this fern on a wall or hang it from the ceiling with kokedama. They’re incredibly beautiful ferns that are entirely safe for pets. This Gardenista article on mounting ferns is absolutely fantastic. In terms of maintenance, they are actually connected to air plants and do best with weekly misting and weekly watering (if they are in a pot). Use various watering techniques if you want to mount your Staghorn Fern. Additionally, they prefer high humidity and moderate light—not direct sunlight.