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.
Can cats consume peperomia rotundifolia?
I should point you that not all of my plants are okay for cats. For those who are, they are by no means ideal. If you have a dog or cat, some of your plants have probably suffered damage. Mine have been used as personal scratching posts, taste-tested by cats, knocked over by sunbathing cats, and fallen off shelves (unnecessary). Although I do prefer to keep the look of my blog images sleek and polished, I believe that plants should be depicted in their, well, natural state. We don’t garden for the glitz, after all.
Maranta
I’ve long considered The Prayer Plant to be one of my favorites. I have one in practically every room of my house because my cats won’t eat them and they adore low light regions. Those leaves, too! Simply said, they are very attractive, the Emma Watsons of the plant world. Maranta are simple to care for; they need need to be kept moist and out of the sun. And no dry heat, which will dry them up (like radiators).
Haworthia
Okay, so my kitties enjoy prickly objects. No matter how hazardous, they are rubbing their faces on cacti and snake plants. Although she’s doing well, my Haworthia is a little worn out. One of my older plants, Harlequinn, has left unsightly dried chunks and stunted leaves after chewing on the small spines. I could purchase another one if I had a nickel for each time Harvey knocked it over and onto the floor. However, there are small Haworthia puppies sprouting and she is still going strong, so I must be doing something properly. How? I’m not sure.
Peperomia
My collection of Peperomia trees started as a result of my enthusiasm for rubber trees. These are one of my favorite items of 2017 because they are 100% pet safe and almost often varied with some sort of color. Peperomias are non-toxic, in contrast to rubber trees, which are said to be moderately hazardous due to their stinky sap. Peperomia remain small and only need moist bottoms and dim indirect light. They actually make excellent, quiet coworkers since they avoid smelling food.
Air Plants
I’m going to make this faux moss wall that I saw in my Rooted in Design book very soon. They mix in a lot of air plants, so I’ve started buying them in advance. Although they are prickly and stringy, my cats won’t eat them, but even if they did, they wouldn’t harm the cats in any way. The only maintenance they require is a couple of hours in a warm bath once a week. However, spritzing also functions. Both this trio on Amazon and Tillandsia have been easy for me to find locally.
Birds Nest Fern
Although some ferns can be troublesome to maintain, not this one. I’ve had my Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium antiquum) for a few years now. It’s the curly kind, which I find cooler than the usual one with sword-shaped leaves. For Ferny to be content, he needs a plastic pot, no drafts, and moist soil. He appeals to Harvey and Harlequinn solely for the jungle effect. Fortunately, not for nibbling.
Cats: Can peperomia argyreia be toxic?
Watermelon Peperomia is an erect, bushy, tropical evergreen herbaceous shrub that may be grown indoors in temperate areas. It can grow up to 8″ tall. Its leaves resemble the rind of a watermelon, hence the name Watermelon Peperomia. Small in size, they look best when grouped with other plants that have comparable cultural requirements. This plant is made interesting by its attractive waxy leaves with watermelon stripes and its spiky, cream-colored inflorescence. A real peltate that attaches to leaves is unusual. This plant is used as a desktop plant or as a specimen. For several months, this plant can endure low light without suffering. Wet soil, extremely dry soil, and very drafty sires are intolerable to it. The ideal conditions for this plant are moderate sunshine, dry soil that is not very dry, and moderate to low humidity. Bright yet indirect sunshine, excessive watering, and wilting of the plant are all caused by root rot. Before watering, let the top of the soil get completely dry. Water less during the winter. Since they flourish in pots, plants won’t require frequent repotting. Cats and dogs are not poisoned by this houseplant. There are no major insect or disease issues with this plant.
Does Peperomia prostrata make cats sick?
Is this plant safe for dogs or cats? is one of the most often asked topics at the Hort Society. Thankfully, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has compiled a comprehensive list of poisonous and non-toxic plants for dogs and cats. If you have a puppy, cat, or even an older animal with a penchant for gardening, check out their website as they also offer more information on keeping your house and yard safe for your pets.
Ten popular indoor plants that are safe for canines and felines are listed below:
First, African violets (Saintpaulia spp.) African violets will bloom intermittently throughout the year with proper care (keep those leaves dry! ), and they are safe for dogs and cats.
Polka Dot Plant 2. (Hypoestes phyllostachya) This ubiquitous foliage plant is a native of Madagascar, and to stay healthy and look their best, they want indirect bright light and a monthly feeding.
Boston fern 3. (Nephrolepis exaltata) In the winter, Boston ferns add a touch of the tropics to our homes. They are the ideal plant for your bathroom because they do require humidity and indirect light.
Echeveria 4. One of the most popular varieties of succulents is this one. They have a rose-like shape, a wide range of colors, and are safe for cats and dogs to eat.
5. A donkey’s tail (Sedum) They are not toxic, however they are a cute, enjoyable succulent to grow, and I can’t promise that your cat won’t think of them as a wonderful toy.
Spider plant, no. 6 (Chlorophytum comosum) Although it is simple to grow and non-toxic, we cannot guarantee that your pet won’t play with this one. Avoid overwatering them and provide them with strong light. You’ll soon have a large number of spider-plant offspring.
orchids 7. (Phalaenopsis sp.) According to the ASPCA, cats and dogs shouldn’t eat flowers, but your prized orchid won’t harm your pet.
Eight. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) Due to the fact that it produces a lovely blossom just in time for the holiday season, this is one of the most well-liked houseplants in the North. Thankfully, this low-maintenance succulent is non-toxic.
9. Trailing pseudoeperomia (Peperomia prostata) This peperomia, along with P. hederifolia, P. rotundifolia, P. peltfolia, and others, are non-toxic. Peperomia require little maintenance and prefer dim lighting and little water. They are the ideal plant for an office setting.
10. The friendship tree (Pilea involucrata) This plant’s popular name derives from its simplicity in rooting cuttings, which makes it the ideal plant to give to friends. If you’re lucky, it will occasionally send up a tiny pink blossom in addition to having fuzzy foliage.
As long as you pay attention to your pet’s habits and choose plants correctly, indoor plants (and gardens) can coexist peacefully with animals. In case of doubt, contact the ASPCA.
Cats and Monstera plants: harmful or not?
Some of your indoor plants are just not safe if you have pets or young children, which is a sad but inevitable realization in the road of becoming a plant parent. While many common genera of houseplants are stunning to look at, many of them are moderately or seriously hazardous. Still others, when handled excessively, can irritate the skin.
The good news is that with enough preparation, you can determine which dangerous houseplants to stay away from, evaluate the risk to your family and pets, and still enjoy a lively and stunningly green collection of indoor plants.
Here are 10 toxic houseplants that, while we love them, should be used with caution if your children or pets will have access to them. A word of clarity, though, is in need before we proceed: “toxic is a relative term, and the severity of a reaction will depend largely on the level of exposure (amount consumed), which plant species, and the specifics of your pet. Some poisonous houseplants cause short-lived, acute symptoms (such as vomiting). Some can have more serious, life-threatening effects if swallowed in excess, while others only irritate the skin. This list is by no means intended to be comprehensive, so we strongly advise conducting additional research (ASPCA has a great database for pet owners).
Poisonous Houseplants for Pet Owners and Parents to Avoid
- Starting with one of the biggest players, Philodendron (and Monstera) is a vast genus of tropical plants that is particularly well-liked for usage inside because of its great variety of growing habits, leaf shapes, and colors. Plants in this genus are poisonous to dogs and cats as well as somewhat toxic to humans. Oral irritation, soreness and swelling in the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing are all signs of exposure.
How hazardous is ZZ plant to felines?
If consumed directly, the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia plant is slightly harmful to humans, cats, and dogs. Don’t freak out just yet if you have a cat and a ZZ plant at home! Although this plant is poisonous to cats, you should be aware that it won’t badly injure your cat, though it may make him feel ill.
Of course, you don’t want your cat to get sick, and you don’t want a dangerous plant in your house either. So getting rid of your ZZ plant makes sense in order to prevent your cat from getting sick after consuming its leaves or stems.