You might want to redesign your space and add some character or color to it, and you’ve probably already fallen in love with a Bromeliad or a Sago Palm. However, in order to choose between the two, you also have to consider this furry soul you share the house with, and how the presence of your beloved plant may affect its health. Plants and pets don’t always go together, and there are many plants commonly found in our homes that we have no idea can be a threat to our little friends.
Thanks to the huge variety of choices nature is offering us, there are still lots of beautiful plants and flowers you can have that will brighten up your space and pose no health risk for your furry kids.
Pet-Friendly Plants
African Violet
Coming in a variety of purple and pink colors, this beautiful indoor plant can bloom without requiring much light. Just keep it in moderate temperatures and moist soil. Even if your little friends accidentally eat it, do not worry; these plants are not considered toxic.
Christmas Cactus
If you are in a festive mood during Christmas, do not hesitate to add a Christmas Cactus to your seasonal decorations as it is completely safe to have around cats and dogs. Be careful though and still try not to let them play with it. It might be non-toxic, but if your pets accidentally eat it they may experience some internal discomfort.
Friendship Plant
This beautiful entirely pet-friendly plant needs only humid conditions and a lot of filtered light. If you do not have an entirely bright spot for it, there is no worry. Just give it some rich amount of sunlight for a few hours on a daily basis.
Spider Plant
Also known as the airplane or ribbon plant, the spider plant is one of the easiest plants to grow as it survives in multiple types of conditions. Ideally, a spot with bright and indirect light would be the perfect fit.
Gloxinia
The best gift especially for occasions like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s day and not at all harmless for your cat or dog. Find a nice place with indirect light for them and make sure you keep the soil moist.
Bella Palm
If you’d like to add a tropical touch to your space, a Bella Palm is the best choice. Its big, bold fronds might be inviting for your little friends to play or bite, but rest assured that it will be completely safe for them.
Boston Fern
This house plant would be an especially nice fit for your bathroom as it endures in a wide range of humidity conditions. Though it would be an equally good choice for any other space of yours with indirect light. In case your cats and dogs are triggered to chew its hairy fronds know that they are entirely harmless for them.
Polka Dot Plant
Native Madagascar Polka Dot can add a touch of color splash wherever you place it. Prefer spots where it can get indirect light and make sure you keep the soil moist. Non-toxic for pets in general, though if your pets are a bit sensitive make sure they don’t consume a large amount of it to avoid any mild stomach discomfort.
Calathea
One of the easiest plants to grow due to its super easy weekly watering schedule, Calathea is the perfect match for low-light spaces and spots like bookshelves or little tables. And guess what; it’s safe for pets as well.
Orchid
If you are an orchid lover then you can definitely have one around your pets since there is no harm for them. Just one small warning: if your potting mix contains bark chips then make sure your cats and dogs will not chew or swallow it. Don’t worry, the chips are not toxic, yet they may cause some discomfort.
Parlor Palm
If you are a beginner, a pet-friendly Parlor Palm would be a good start for you. It is low-maintenance and only requires a few hours of daily bright, indirect light. Though it can endure in low light as well.
Succulents
There is a great variety of these plants with many (yet not all) of them being featured as safe for cats and dogs, like echeverias or haworthias. They only need a lot of bright light and not too much watering – once every couple of weeks.
Prayer Plant
Prayer Plants are ideal for small spaces such as bookshelves and end tables only growing up to 6-8 inches tall. These plants come in many different varieties with beautifully patterned leaves that are sure to make a statement in your home. This plant grows in medium or low light and does not mind its soil drying out between waterings.
Bromeliad
If you have a nice, big, bright window in your living room or kitchen then this would be the perfect spot for a Bromeliad. It will add a tropical touch and liven up your space. And if your cats and dogs are digging lovers when it comes to pots, know that this pet-friendly plant can also grow totally soil-free attached to a log.
Mosaic Plant
A non-toxic and pet-friendly plant, also known as Fittonia, that originates from the rainforests of Latin America. Whether growing in a pot or floating in a pond, all Mosaic Plants are equally beautiful and live best in low light.
Baby Tears
If your pets like digging in pots, Baby Tears can help you cover the soil of the pot to make sure your little ones won’t play with the mix. And they are of course entirely safe for them. If you still want to keep them away from the plant though, you can always place the pot into a small hanging basket.
Plants that are Toxic for Pets
Lily
This wide family of flowers can be quite dangerous, especially for your cats. Although uniquely beautiful, they are toxic and may cause severe problems to their liver in case your kitties lick or chew them.
Tulip
One of the most popular flowers, tulips can pose a poisoning risk for your pets. Any part of the flower can be harmful, with the bulbs being the most toxic. So make sure your dogs or cats will not chew or swallow any of them.
Aloe Vera
Its healing and beneficial properties of Aloe for humans are undoubtable. But if eaten, this plant has a significant level of toxicity that can severely affect your pets, especially dogs.
Dieffenbachia
If you have this charming house plant around, also known as Dumb Cane, you should definitely keep your pets away. In case they accidentally eat it, its compound is harmful to their mouth and throat.
Hyacinth
Just like Lillies, the most toxic part of Hyacinth is its bulbs. They contain allergic compounds that pose health risks to pets if chewed or swallowed. So no digging allowed!
Daffodil
When thinking of spring, Daffodil is one of the first flowers that come to mind. But despite its beauty, this plant should definitely be kept away from pets. Its flowers, and especially the bulbs, contain a compound that is severely toxic and may result in serious conditions for your little friends.
Sago Palm
It might add a tropical character to your space, but if you have cats or dogs around, know that Sago Palm is not that friendly to them. All of its parts, especially its seeds, are severely toxic and may cause intestine and liver issues.
Oleander
Found mostly in warmer areas, with its charming delicate flowers, Oleander is no friend of pets. Most of its parts, especially its leaves, are quite toxic and should not be chewed or swallowed by our little friends.
Ivies
There’s an extensive variety of Ivies, such as English Ivy and Devil’s Ivy – or so-called Golden Pothos. None of them though are pet-friendly. These plants have a moderate toxicity level, especially their berries, that may cause severe stomach distress if swallowed by a pet.
Crocus
There are two types of Crocus: the Spring and the Autumn one, both not quite pet-friendly but in different threat levels. Spring Crocus is non-toxic, though it may cause some mild discomfort in case your dog eats it. Autumn Crocus, on the other hand, is highly toxic and may result in severe stomach issues to your pet.
Philodendron
Another wide family of indoor plants that have a range from low to medium toxicity levels, both for cats and dogs. In case your pets chew or bite them, they can cause severe mouth issues.
Chrysanthemum
This brightly colored flower is one more addition to the list of pet-unfriendly plants. Although its toxicity level is not very high, it might lead to allergic reactions in your dogs and can be especially poisonous to your cats.
Begonia
If your cat or dog loves digging and a begonia is growing in your garden then make sure they stay away from this plant. Its stems and roots are intensely toxic and will cause oral problems to your pets in case they’re eaten.
Cyclamen
With its bright tropical colors, Cyclamen is a widely known house plant, yet unfriendly to pets. Its tubers cause digestive problems if they’re eaten by a dog or a cat, and especially dangerous if a large quantity is consumed.
Amaryllis
If you’re looking for gift ideas, Amaryllis is a perfect choice. However, make sure the recipient does not have a pet in the house. Most of this plant’s parts contain toxic compounds, with the highest amount in the bulbs, that are extremely dangerous especially for cats.
Our plant experts will help you find the perfect houseplant that is safe for your pets and fits perfectly in your home. Whether it’s a Bella Palm, a succulent, or a hanging vine plant, we have a variety of options available. Contact us today for help with all your floral needs.
