Having plants in the house is a very easy way to spruce up a room, and they can benefit our indoor air quality as well as our mood. The tricky part can be finding plants that are aesthetically pleasing to us and our particular tastes and safe for our pets.
Cats and dogs sometimes chew on plants, and if the plant contains toxins it can cause intestinal problems and – in bad cases – death. Some plants can be kept high on a shelf or hanging from a hook which can deter a cat or dog from getting to them. But sometimes that isn’t possible.
For more information about pet-safe plants, check out these articles:
Here are 8 indoor plants that are safe for pets.
Bamboo
Bamboo has a lot of symbolism in different cultures. It is seen as a sign of longevity in Chinese culture and friendship in India. In Vietnamese culture, it symbolizes the spirit of hard and soft, and that the Vietnam nation and values will persist with each new generation.
Image from Emily’s Plants
African Violet
A perennial flowering plant that is commonly indoors but may also be planted outdoors. Flowers are usually purple but can be pale blue or white.
Image from Wikipedia
Lady Slipper
Lady slipper is a type of orchid that can grow up to 2 feet tall. The flowers range from pink to purple to yellow. It is believed that the plant has tannin oils but there’s been no known effects on pets who may have had contact or chewed on it.
Image from Fleurt
Spider Plant
A very common houseplant that is known to reduce indoor air pollution. It can be a hanging plant so that its stems and plantlets can be displayed, or a smaller variation that is ideal for a shelf or end table.
Image from Wikipedia
Money Tree
Need a little luck? Money trees are thought to bring good fortune to those who place it in their home. As the money tree grows, it will sprout new leaves which unfold into five leaf stems.
Image from Giving Plants
Cast-Iron Plant
The cast-iron plant is great for those of us who have black thumbs. It’s a hearty plant that can withstand irregular watering, low humidity, temperature changes, and low-light. This doesn’t mean you can totally forget about this plant, but it is a good option for those of us who lack talent in the gardening area, like me.
Image from Wikipedia
Ponytail Plant
The ponytail plant is another “set it and forget it” type of plant and can be grown in a shallow pot. It’s a slow-growing plant and can be watered every 1 to 2 weeks. Keep them in bright light.
Image from Alpha Botanical
Catnip
Catnip is a fly and mosquito repellant and can be used as an herbal ailment. Most commonly it is given to cats. Which reminds me, your cat might chew on this one so you may want to keep it somewhere where your cat can’t freely chew on it. You can cut a few leaves off and let your cat roll around and chew on them, as too much might bring out an aggressive response.
Image from Wikipedia
For a more comprehensive list of pet-safe plants check out May’s Greenhouse and the ASPCA’s Comprehensive List of Non-Toxic Outdoor and Indoor Plants.