Pet-Friendly Houseplants
Do you love both pets and plants? If so, did you know that some houseplants can be very toxic if ingested? If you have cats or dogs in the house, it is definitely good to know which plants may pose a threat to your beloved furry friends, regardless of whether or not they tend to tamper with your plants. Find our tutorial video at the end of the page for even more information!
Non-Toxic Houseplants That are Safe for Homes with Pets
Here is a list of houseplants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs. While this list is not comprehensive, these are a few suggestions that are common in the world of houseplants and make lovely additions to any home with pets! Click here for a full list of plants that are safe for your pets!
Echeveria
Echeveria are possibly one of the most common succulent houseplants there are! With tons of cute and colorful options, these compact and trendy plants are easy to care for and you won't have to worry about any adverse effects in the case that your pets do get into them.
How to Care for Echeveria
Light: Grows best in full sun. Will begin to get leggy without enough sun.
Water: Once every 2-3 weeks. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill succulent plants!
Soil: Cactus soil or another very well-draining soil mix.
Haworthia
These adorable and compact succulent plants have a lot of character! They are very low-maintenance and easy to care for. If your plant is really happy, it will even start to produce little pups that you can propagate into additional plants!
How to Care for Haworthia
Light: Grows best in full sun. Can tolerate lower light conditions.
Water: Once every 2-3 weeks. Lessen watering frequency with less light to avoid overwatering.
Soil: Cactus soil or another very well-draining soil mix.
Burros Tail (Sedum morganianum)
This succulent variety grows best in hanging baskets. Its adorable, compact leaves will grow as long as you allow them to! They are also very easy to propagate. Simply cut the stem wherever you would like, pop a couple of leaves off the cut piece, allow the cuts to callous over for a day, and then insert the cutting into a new pot and pack the soil around the base. Water sparingly for several weeks and the cut stem will begin to grow roots!
How to Care for Burro's Tail
Light: Grows best in full sun. Will begin to get leggy without enough sun.
Water: Once every 2-3 weeks. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill succulent plants!
Soil: Cactus soil or another very well-draining soil mix.
Cactus
While cacti are not poisonous if ingested, their main hazard is their spines! Often the prickly nature of most cacti is enough to deter your pet from making a snack of it, though in the case that they do, your pet's health will not be compromised.
How to Care for Cacti
Light: Grows best in full sun. Can tolerate lower light conditions.
Water: Once every 2-3 weeks. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill succulent plants! Lessen watering frequency with less light to avoid overwatering.
Soil: Cactus soil or another very well-draining soil mix.
Orchids
If you are looking for a flowering houseplant that is safe for your pets, orchids are one of the most beautiful! They come in countless shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, and more! Orchids do require specific care, but if you take the time to get to know them, they will grace your home with unmatched beauty!
How to Care for Orchids
Light: Lots of bright, indirect sunlight.
Water: Orchids do not like to dry out between waterings. Water 1-2 times per week.
Soil: Requires moist, well-draining soil. Plant in orchid bark or a similar medium.
Prayer Plants (Calathea)
Calathea are beautiful and ornate! They can be a bit finicky and really love the perfect levels of moisture and humidity, so if you are willing to baby your plants a little bit, this may be the perfect fit for you!
How to Care for Calathea
Light: Prefer medium, indirect sunlight but can tolerate lower light levels too.
Water: Water once per week or enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Do not let them dry out between waterings.
Soil: Amend potting soil with orchid bark and perlite to help it drain well while still retaining moisture.
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
These beautiful flowering houseplants will get along just fine with your pets. They don't like getting water on their leaves though, so watering them from the bottom is highly recommended! We have some lovely pots made specifically for African Violets at the Garden Center, so stop by and take a look!
How to Care for African Violets
Light: African violets require indirect sunlight. Direct sun will burn the leaves. East-facing windows are best.
Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water from below to avoid getting water on the leaves, as this will cause damage.
Soil: Choose an African Violet specific soil or plant in soil that is well-draining but also retains moisture.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
This type of palm tree is absolutely adorable, low-maintenance, and pet friendly! It grows a thick and stout trunk with fun and unique fronds that have a slight curl to them, making them look like curly hair tied back in a ponytail! These palms tolerate dry conditions well, and while they can survive in a variety of growing conditions, they will thrive in the conditions mentioned below!
How to Care for Ponytail Palms
Light: Bright, indirect light. Avoid full sun exposure!
Water: Water once every 3-4 weeks, or after the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry to the touch.
Soil: Requires well-draining soil. Plant in a cactus mix or amend potting soil with sand and perlite.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Palm trees in general are fairly easy to care for. They do like higher humidity levels and may experience stunted growth in less than ideal environments. In addition to the Areca palms, Fan Palms, Majesty Palms (Ravenea rivularis), and Lady Finger Palms (Rhapis excelsa) are also pet-friendly and have similar care requirements.
How to Care for Palm Trees
Light: Bright, indirect light. Avoid full sun exposure!
Water: Keep the soil slightly moist in the spring and summer, allowing the top 1-2 inches to dry out between waterings.
Soil: Standard potting mix is usually fine for these plants. The goal is a well-draining potting mix that also retains some moisture.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor Palms are cute and compact, making them perfect for homes with limited space. They are one of the most popular palms for their easy care and friendly nature.
How to Care for Parlor Palms
Light: Thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Can tolerate low light conditions.
Water: Water once every two weeks, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Soil: Standard potting mix is usually fine for these plants. The goal is a well-draining potting mix that also retains some moisture.
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
These houseplants are popular for their woven trunks. They have a thick, woody base that can be manipulated during growth into braided patterns. These trees range in size greatly, being anywhere from tabletop size to large trees that stand five feet tall. Their unique foliage is also something that sets them apart from other houseplants!
How to Care for Money Trees
Light: Bright to medium indirect light for six hours per day is ideal.
Water: Once every two weeks, or when the soil has dried out slightly.
Soil: The soil should remain moist but not soggy. Plant in a well-draining potting mix.
Bromeliad
These tropical beauties are quite an eye-catcher. They come in a variety of beautiful colors and will make for a lovely addition to your pet-filled home! Bromeliads are also quite easy to care for, which is one more reason to add this plant to your collection!
How to Care for Bromeliads
Light: Bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch the leaves of this plant.
Water: Water once every two weeks, allowing the soil to dry out only slightly.
Soil: Plant in soil that holds moisture but drains well. A mixture of two-thirds peat-based soil and one-third sand is recommended.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
