There’s no need to choose between your plants and pets anymore. You can create a beautiful home with plants and pets using these 5 pet safe plants you need in your home!
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plants & pets
Welcome, plant lovers and pet owners! Creating an indoor oasis with lush greenery is a delightful way to spruce up your living space. But for those of us with furry friends, choosing the right houseplants becomes a careful consideration. Our pets bring joy to our lives, and their safety is a top priority. Fortunately, there’s no need to sacrifice a beautifully adorned home for the well-being of our beloved animals.
our story
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know we have a new addition to our family. Clover is a young Holland Lop bunny, who is the love of our lives. Having her is a far leap for a couple who practically had NO PETS in their wedding vows. We got her a year ago and our lives have changed for the better.
This is not the typical bunny pet situation we remember as children. We don’t even own a cage. Clover has free rein of the house (minus the bathrooms) and is litter box trained. She’s a cross between a puppy and a cat (we like to say).
There was definite concern bringing her into our home with all of the plants we already had. So we pulled all of our plants off of the floor and onto table tops. We also hung as many as we could. This blog post is my most popular of all time, and has some great hanging plant ideas. I also have a great post on my favorite types of hanging plants, if you’re interested. Just look at how cute she is!!
5 pet safe plants
All the information I gathered for this blog post was confirmed by the ASPCA website. They have a list of non-toxic plants specifically for dogs & cats. Always make sure to double check to make sure a plant is safe for your specific pet.
For this list, we’ll explore a curated selection of five stunning houseplants that not only add vibrancy and freshness to your home but are also safe for your furry companions. From low-maintenance varieties to gorgeous show-stoppers, these pet-friendly plants will transform your space into a serene and pet-safe sanctuary.
- Calathea species – Calathea plants are known for their striking foliage and are popular choices for indoor greenery due to their vibrant patterns and colors. Caring for Calathea can be tricky, but totally worth it once you get the hang of it! You’ll want to provide bright, indirect light for at least 6 hours per day. The potting mix should remain damp but don’t over water (it’s a delicate dance). The potting mix should be well draining and not a water retaining mix. If possible, high humidity is best. You can order beautiful Calatheas at this great plant shop. You can find ASPCA info here.
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – Parlor Palm is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant appearance and low-maintenance nature. They do best with bright indirect light, but can also tolerate less light. The potting mix should be well draining and not a moisture retaining mix. Water parlor palms once the majority of the potting mix is dry. Do not keep the mix constantly wet. You can get these 4″ starter plants here. ASPCA info here.
- Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) – Boston Ferns are trendy indoor plants appreciated for their lush, feathery fronds. They can perfectly create a jungle look in anyone’s home. Boston Ferns do well with medium to bright light. The potting mix should be well draining, but a good amount of peat can help the plant to retain the moisture it needs. Higher humidity is key for these wild beauties to maintain crunchy-free foliage. You can find a 10″ pot for a great price here. Find what ASPCA has to say here.
- Peperomia – Peperomia obstusiflora, commonly known as Baby Rubber Plant, is a charming and easy-to-care-for houseplant. While we are talking specifically about this variety, many of the Peperomia family are safe for house pets. This plant does well in medium to bright light conditions. Peperomia do best in a well draining potting mix, and are totally fine waiting on water until the potting mix is completely dry. I love this plant/pot combo from The Sill. Find ASPCA info here.
- Spider plants – Spider plants(Chlorophytum comosum) are popular, easy-to-care-for houseplants known for their arching leaves and ability to produce “spiderettes” or baby plants on long, hanging stems. They are very easily propagated and shared with friends! You can learn how to propagate them here. Spider plants love bright light conditions, but try to avoid direct sunlight. They need a well draining potting mix, a combination of peat, perlite, and a bit of bark will work well for this plant. Water spider plants when the top half (or so) of the potting mix has dried out. This is a great beginner plant that comes pre-potted in a ceramic pot. See what ASPCA says here.
pet safe plants
While the plants I’ve shared today are “non-toxic” for cats & dogs according to ASPCA, it is still crucial to ensure the safety of your furry friends. Be sure to observe your pets around plants, and keep them out of reach as much as possible. Just because they are considered non-toxic
For those of you who follow along for my bunny content, I have found a few good resources through this website and this one.
I hope this post was helpful for you! Let me know if you have any questions by commenting below.