Why do dogs and cats eat houseplants? Perhaps, it’s to calm an empty stomach or help process hairballs, or maybe they’re just too fun not to attack. Any pet owner knows it’s a challenge to keep houseplants away from a pet who’s determined to chew, so it’s up to us to make sure those plants are safe.
Apart from edibles such as cat grass, the safest option is simply to keep houseplants up high and out of your pet’s reach. Of course, our Feng Shui usually doesn’t accommodate this. Thankfully, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) makes it easy to identify which of your plants may pose a danger to cats or dogs. Consult their Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists to keep your furry friends safe. Here’s a few of our favorites.
Bright to Indirect Light
1. Banana Plant Musa oriana
The banana plant is characterized by large, smooth-edged leaves with a slight wave. Some varieties of this plant will produce edible fruit (takes 3-4 years), but others do not (Musa basjoo). These can grow to be rather large; if you’re limited on space, look for a dwarf variety like Musa ‘Dwarf Cavendish.’
2. Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata
Aptly named, long leaves reach out from the top to resemble a ponytail. With a bulb-like trunk that stores water, these are drought tolerant, slow growing, and easy to care for with a busy schedule.
3. Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeura
This plant boasts beautifully decorated leaves that are a blend of deep green and yellow with a red vein running across each leaf. The plant is named for the way its leaves fold in the evening, resembling hands folded in prayer, as a reaction to the amount of light the plant is receiving.
4. Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata
The Boston fern is a voluminous plant with distinct arching fronds made up of small pale-to-medium-green leaves. This plant thrives in a hanging basket, keeping it safe from a playful cat or dog.
5. African Violets Streptocarpus S. saintpaulia
A year-round bloomer, African violets feature velvety petals with flower colors of violet, purple, pale blue and white. While beautiful, this plant is known for being a bit finicky, but its care is manageable once you know some basic rules as mentioned in this video.
6. Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Among the most popular houseplants to grow, the spider plant has long stems with small, star-shaped flowers and slender, arching leaves that average one-and-a-half feet in length. These hardy plants can survive less than ideal conditions, but consider planting them in hanging pots if you have playful kitties around.
Low Light
1. Friendship Plant Pilea involucrata
As it is easily shared with friends by propagating stem cuttings, this plant has earned a common name as the friendship plant. Deeply crinkled, velvety leaves with deep bronze veins add a unique pop of color to your home. Most varieties do well as trailing plants, but they can be pinched back to create a more bushy plant.
2. Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans
Also known as bamboo palm, with proper care and plenty of time, this plant can reach up to six feet in height. Parlor palm is an ideal indoor plant that grows well in cramped spaces and low light. It’s possible to find single-stalk varieties, but most often you will find them growing in small clumps that resemble a palm-like shrub.
3. Gloxinia Sinningia speciosa
Related to the African violet, gloxinia produces show-stopping blooms in a variety of colors. Many gloxinias found in stores today are seed-grown hybrids, which put a lot of energy into creating beautiful blooms instead of their root systems. This results in the plant dying back after their blooming season, and it is not likely to grow back. Many consider this pet-friendly houseplant to be an annual. Extend the blooming season by pinching off dead flowers.
4. Mosaic Plant Fittonia albivenis
Commonly used in terrariums due to its need for constant humidity, this evergreen perennial thrives in low light. This low-growing plant can spread up to eighteen inches, completely covering a small space with its silver-veined leaves.
5. Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior
Just like cast iron, this plant is tough to destroy and is tolerant of neglect, making it a great option for homeowners without a green thumb. Its bright green leaves can grow up to two feet tall and three feet wide. Cast iron plants don’t like to have their roots disturbed, so select a pot that is a few inches wider than the roots to give this slow-growing plant plenty of extra space.
General Care
Before you bring your new plant home, make sure you have the right conditions and space for your plant to thrive. Selecting a healthy plant from a reputable nursery will also make a significant difference in the life of your plant. If you’re not sure what a healthy plant looks like, check for new growth (a sign that it will continue to grow when you get it home) and avoid plants that are damaged.
A pot with good drainage will be more forgiving as you learn the watering needs of your new plant. Make sure to have a saucer to catch any runoff and avoid damage to your table or windowsills. A pot that is an inch or two larger than the plant will allow room for growth. Fertilizer is a must, as the plant will exhaust the nutrients in the soil over time. And of course, be mindful of using chemicals to treat any pests or disease to keep your plants safe for kids and pets.
Not for the Garden
While these plants are non-toxic to pets, they can be devasting to our native landscape. We strongly advise against adding these plants to your yard or garden where they can become invasive, pushing out native plants and animals. Properly dispose of non-native vegetation by mixing in with your curbside yard trimmings, which will be sent to a local composting facility.
