The Ponytail Palm is ideal for frequent travelers who travel outside of COVID periods. This robust, drought-resistant plant needs little care and won’t endanger any furry family members that stay behind with the pet-sitter.
Chlorophytum comosum
One of the greatest cat-safe air filtering plants is the spider plant. In order to maintain the quality of the air on space stations, NASA examined the air-purifying abilities of plants in the 1980s. One of the best plants for removing airborne contaminants like formaldehyde was the spider plant! If you want to keep it away from your cats, the long, stringy foliage makes it a great plant for hanging baskets. This plant doesn’t mind if the roots are a little crowded; in fact, it will start to develop tiny mini-spider plants at the ends of its long stems as a result. To create a brand-new, full-sized plant, simply pluck them off and plant them in a cup of dirt.
Pachira aquatica
The flexible trunks of this tropical tree are braided together when it is still in its early stages of development. The mature trunks that emerge are rather lovely, and they are crowned with lustrous leaves that radiate out in the shape of stars. They require only moderate humidity, deep but infrequent watering, and overall low upkeep. From spring to fall, add some liquid fertilizer to the water every few weeks. To prevent your cat from tipping it over, we advise repotting your money tree in a large, hefty concrete container.
Chamaedorea Neanthe Bella
Grab a parlor palm for some tropical beauty to add some dreamy, beachy vibes to your home decor! If your cat nibbles on a couple of palm fronds, they won’t experience any stomach issues afterwards because the parlor palm is entirely safe for cats. If you repot them every few years, they will eventually grow to be up to 4 feet tall because they are extremely huge. We advise putting some slow-release fertilizer granules to the soil to keep it well-fed because it prefers a little bit more fertilizer than your regular palm.
Peperomia clusifolia
At first glance, the peperomia may appear to be a pretty, delicate plant, but don’t undervalue this little powerhouse! If your cat knocks the pot over and spreads soil all around, your peperomia will probably make a full recovery if you repot it as soon as possible. This is because it is exceptionally hardy and tenacious. There are many various peperomias available, but we believe Ginny is the variety that everyone needs in 2021. It has a delicate pink border and is variegated with creamy butter yellow—so adorable!
Calathea ornata
Although most calathea prayer plant species are cat-friendly, we wish to highlight one particularly lovely specimen: the Calathea ornata. Each glossy, deep green leaf’s defined bubblegum pink stripes appear to have been hand-painted. You’ll adore how this beautiful plant adjusts to the changing light throughout the day by rising and falling its leaves. Make sure to mist them frequently because they love dampness!
Echeveria gibbiflora x Echeveria elegans
The echeveria’s wavy rosettes resemble lovely blossoms that never seem to wilt. Echeveria Perle von Nernberg has a certain charm that elevates any space with its romantic appeal. Pick from gorgeous hues including hazy blue, lavender grey, and pink, or plant a pot full of various hues. Plus, your cat is considerably less likely to be attracted in it because it is a solid, compact succulent without fluttering leaves.
Beaucarnea recurvata
This pet-friendly plant has a fun fact: it’s not a palm at all! It merely has that appearance. Actually a succulent, the ponytail palm is entirely safe for cats. Its unusual form is somewhat reminiscent of a Kardashian, with a curved trunk and a thick, glossy head of leaves. But this plant requires incredibly little upkeep, unlike some of the stars of a certain reality TV dynasty! Although it enjoys the light, it is also quite drought tolerant, making it an all-around very simple plant to grow.
Are you prepared to bring some fresh indoor plants for you and your kitties to enjoy home? We have an amazing selection of plants available for shipping right to your home. View our entire catalog to see all the amazing new plants we have in stock for 2021!
Are animals poisoned by ponytail palms?
Under the surface of many houseplants is poison. One indoor plant may produce poisonous sap when the stem breaks. Others have harmful substances in their leaves that can make even the slightest contact hazardous to cats and dogs. Other hazardous substances only damage cats and dogs when they consume plant material.
Luckily, ponytail palm is not poisonous to cats, dogs, or horses, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). They are cute, lightweight houseplants that may be placed next to windows or on coffee tables to get the most sunshine.
The ASPCA has compared all common plants (such the spider plant) with the existing toxicity data to determine which actually have an impact on your cats and canines, so if in doubt, I always look to them for information on which plants are safe for cats. They also included tags and names in one lengthy list post so you may refer to it at any moment.
In conclusion, Beaucarnea recurvata is fully safe for use around both children and pets. They can easily occupy the focal point of your living space because to their striking, sculptural appearance. The trunk, stem, and leaves are all non-toxic. Please feel free to look after them in your home now that we’ve cleared the air!
Pet Friendly Houseplants
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 ponytail palms air purifiers?
This wonderful houseplant was named one of the best plants for air purification by NASA. Toxic gases are broken down so that you can breathe clean air. The brown stem of the ponytail palm is inflated and accumulates water, giving it a highly distinctive appearance.
Ponytail palms can they be grown indoors?
Ponytail palms are an eye-catching indoor plant with a long lifespan that benefits from mild neglect. As long as you don’t overwater them, they are quite simple to grow. Here’s information on how to grow and maintain a ponytail palm at home.
About Ponytail Palms
The ponytail palm is not a true palm despite its name and palm-like appearance “palm. Actually, it has more in common with desert plants of the Agave and Yucca genera (such as Joshua trees).
Ponytail palms typically have a big, domed “tapers off into a thinner stem from the stump. As the plant becomes older, one or more rosettes of lengthy, green, leathery leaves emerge from the top of the stem. The leaves can grow up to three feet long indoors, but they may be double that length outside.
The entire plant has been observed to grow up to 30 feet tall in its natural habitat (eastern Mexico). Ponytail palms, on the other hand, rarely grow taller than 10 feet when grown in gardens as landscape plants. They rarely grow taller than 4 feet when kept indoors.
The most frequent challenge in caring for this plant is needing to change your watering routine to meet its watering requirements!
Choosing Soil and a Pot
- Use a soil that quickly drains, such as cactus and succulent potting soil. You can make your own desert soil mix if you already have potting soil, sand, and perlite on hand: Simply combine 1 part perlite, 1 part sand, and 1 part potting soil.
- Choose a pot with a hole in the bottom so that any extra water may drain. Ponytail palms do not enjoy spending a lot of time in wet soil.
- If at all feasible, use a clay pot; the porous material will absorb part of the water, speeding up the soil’s drying process (a good thing for cacti and succulents).
How to Care for Ponytail Palms
- Place the plant in a bright area as ponytail palms want to get as much light as possible. The optimum light is direct, bright light.
- Dry out the soil somewhat. Water your garden from spring to fall, waiting until the top inch or two of soil is fully dry before watering again. Only sporadically water in the winter.
- Water the soil by soaking it, then let the extra water drain into a dish via the pot’s bottom. After letting the pot rest in the dish for a while, drain any residual water.
- For the summer, move the plant into a room with more light after fertilizing in the spring with a cactus/succulent fertilizer.
- For the majority of the year, keeping the plant at room temperature is good, but in the winter (50-55F / 10-13C), keep it a little cooler to mimic the natural dormancy cycle.
- Avoid placing the plant too close to cold windows at night during the winter months since freezing temperatures can cause serious damage.
Repotting a Ponytail Palm
- Ponytail palms may be kept in a little pot and will stay that size. They don’t usually need to be repotted for many years. A ponytail palm only requires repotting every other year at most.
- The plant can expand its height and girth by being moved to a larger pot. However, if elder plants are not kept on the smaller scale, they may become difficult to manage because of their sheer bulk and weight.
- Pick a pot that is big enough to give the ponytail palm’s trunk about an inch or two of room between it and the rim when choosing a new one.
- Be careful when handling a ponytail palm since the edges of its leaves are minutely serrated.
Propagation
- Rarely, a ponytail palm will create an offset, a little young plant that grows from the main plant’s base. When they grow to a minimum height of 4 inches, these can be pruned at the base and put in a succulent potting soil. To encourage the offset to root, use a small amount of rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) once the cut incision has healed before planting.
- The plant’s peculiar form and coloring have earned it the odd moniker “elephant’s foot palm.”
- Stem rot can be caused by overwatering. Withholding watering may allow the plant to address the issue on its own. Yellowing leaves and a soft or squishy caudex (the plant’s base and stem) are indicators of stem rot.
- Spider mites are present on the leaves, but they can be removed by wiping the stems with a cloth dampened with dish detergent and water. Spider-like webbing on the plant is a sign that there are spider mites present.
- The appearance of brown tips on leaves may indicate overfertilization or underwatering; therefore, modify your husbandry techniques as necessary. They might also indicate that the plant is receiving too little water and too much direct sunlight.