When a person has pets at home, it might be the nice idea to welcome plants by mixing the love to nature with the love to pets. However, a lot of the indoor houseplants may be toxic when consumed by both cats and dogs causing health problems that may be as simple as mild nausea or as advanced as being life-threatening. The trick is to pick plants that are not only beautiful, but easy to take care of, and most importantly poison free to pets.
Below is a compilation of some of the best indoor cat and dog safe plants that are amongst the best you can have, enabling you to have a luxuriant yet stress-free atmosphere at home with the entire family.
1. Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
A spider plant is a durable plant that does not need a lot of care and it has arch-shaped striped leaves, which makes it a classic. It is the famous one that is non toxic and a very effective air purifier. It has spiderettes, or small baby plants, that do trail off the edge of pot, and hence it is ideally suited to be used in hanging baskets so that it can be kept not in the way of a pet but still be admired.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Fern with its fine, featherlike foliage is a breathtaking source through which you can bring a hint of tropical beauty to your residence. It prefers humidity, and therefore it is a good option in a bathroom. It is entirely safe to pets, although it should be noted that its fronds can act as a very inviting chew toy to your cat because of their curiosity, and they will not hurt them.
3. Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Calatheas have beautiful and elaborately patterned leaves and thus make a great choice as a pet-friendly plant. Most of these plants are so varied in color and pattern, and, many of them are referred to as prayer plants due to the fact that they enfold in the middle of the night. They are toxic-less and prefer humidity and hence can be used in a bathroom or kitchen to bring color.
4. Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
Hoya is also sometimes referred to as the wax plant, and this is due to its thick and waxy leaves and small, fragrant flowers which grow in clusters. The plant can be grown in a hanging container or mounted on a shelf and looks lovely. All the species of Hoya are supposed to be non-toxic and dogs or cats can consume them without any problem. It is therefore a great choice as an ornamental flower among pet owners.
5. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
The Ponytail Palm is not a palm as you may think but it is a succulent. Its swollen trunk and leaves of a hair-like nature make it appear whimsical. It is a hardy drought-resistant plant that is not toxic to pets at all. Due to the unusual shape, it can be a great addition to the statement, and a playful paw can give it a swat.
6. Haworthia (Haworthia fasciata)
Haworthia resembles aloe, but is a small succulent plant that has unique, zebra patterned white lines in its juicy leaves. It is a relatively easy to care plant, which loves a lot of bright, indirect light, and it is 100 percent pet-friendly. The size is small, therefore, it would be ideal in a window sill or on a table.
7. Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant)
The prayer plant has beautiful, dark green leaves with striking red veins, which look beautiful in any collection. Like Calatheas, it rolls up its leaves at night. This low-light-tolerant plant is easy to take care of, is fully harmless to your pets, and will be an excellent choice to place on a side table or mantel.
8. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca Palm is a great option to find a bigger plant that has the capability of purifying air. Its feather-like fronds give any room a tropical touch and it is pet-safe too. The Areca Palm is non-toxic but a big one could be a great jungle to any cat and hence think before you can place it in an open place.
9. Orchids (Orchidaceae)
Although there is an assumption made by many people that they are toxic, most common varieties of orchid, including the common Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis), are believed to be non-toxic to pets. Beautiful, long-blooping plants, which prefer a humid environment rich in bright indirect light, therefore, make an ideal bathroom plant or sunny shelf plant.
10. Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
The Money Tree is one of the common plants with braided stem and huge shiny leaves. It is also linked to good fortune and wealthiness. Not only does it make any given room a fashionable addition, but it is also totally non-toxic; to both the cats and the dogs, which presents an attractive and safe choice to pet owners.
Where a new plant is brought to a house with pets, it can certainly not be overlooked that the database on poisonous and non-poisonous plants of the ASPCA has to be consulted. With non-toxic flora, though, it would also be prudent to set them in an area where pets cannot get attracted to them and take a nibble in them since any plant matter is likely to lead to mild gastrointestinal distress when consumed in excess. Using this list, you can go ahead to create a green sanctuary, which is safe and beautiful to the whole family.
