Pet parents are always looking for ways to improve the lives and well-being of their fur babies. Regular visits to the vet, a healthy diet, proper exercise, and giving them plenty of love and attention are some of the most important aspects of having a pet that lives a long and happy life. An ever-growing number of people are also keen on adopting and bringing houseplants into their homes due to their many benefits, ranging from improved indoor air quality to developing a quiet and contemplative activity that gives you time to relax and unwind.
However, it’s essential to know that many of the most popular plants are poisonous to both cats and dogs. In some instances, just a little nibble on a leaf is enough to cause serious disease in pets, with some even being at risk of death. Aloe vera, asparagus ferns, Swiss cheese plants, Sago palms, peace lilies, and jade plants are some of the best-known houseplants that can also be incredibly dangerous for the animals that come into direct contact with them. Luckily, there are several alternatives you can choose instead so that you can be both a pet and a plant parent.
Chinese Money Plant
This plant is native to the southern Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan and is a favorite among plant lovers due to its unique foliage. The leaves are shiny and waxy but also completely non-toxic for your pet, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it around. Keep yours in planters that can get plenty of indirect light, as this is what this plant prefers, and ensure that it receives plenty of humidity. Misting can be beneficial, particularly if you grow it indoors and the air tends to get quite dry. Keep direct sunlight exposure to a minimum, as it will scorch the leaves and cause your plant to wilt.
Hoya
Hoya is a genus that features around 500 species and is native to several countries in Asia, such as India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Some species are also found in Australia. They are popular houseplants due to their beautiful foliage and the strong scent of their flowers. The variety known as hoya carnosa has been discovered to be particularly good at removing indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene and is entirely non-toxic for plants. Hoya is a succulent, perennial plant that requires an acidic soil to thrive.
Make sure to keep it well-drained, as drowning your plant in too much water will cause the roots to rot. Ideally, you should only water it once a week, use fertilizer once a month, and keep it in an area where it gets plenty of indirect sun exposure at least two hours per day.
Rattlesnake plant
The rattlesnake plant is pet-friendly, being safe for both cats and dogs. It requires plenty of indirect light and moist soil in order to remain healthy. Make sure to keep its environment as humid as possible through either misting or using a humidifier. This is particularly important during the summer in order to avoid dehydration. However, during the colder months, you can allow the soil to dry out complexly between the watering sessions. The rattlesnake plant shouldn’t be allowed in standing water, and fertilizer should only be used during spring and summer. Some pruning is required as well, but only to remove dry or dead leaves. Use specialized pruning shears to achieve this, and make sure to cut right where the leaves are meeting the stem.
African Violets
African violets are vibrant, beautiful houseplants that thrive indoors and can potentially flower all through the year. The most common shades are blue and lavender, but you can get it in pink, red and even white. The leaves are vibrant green and fuzzy, but make sure you don’t touch them very often, as it could decrease the plant’s overall size and impact its well-being. To ensure your violets remain strong and healthy, you need to settle them in flower pots that allow bottom watering, a process that is also known as reverse watering. This method allows the water to be absorbed faster, ensures that all the soil gets water, including the deeper root systems, and provides a more controlled medium since the plant won’t get more than it can comfortably absorb.
Partial sunlight and moist and acidic soil are the best options for these plants. Although neither the flowers nor the leaves are toxic to pets, they can still absorb the fertilizer you choose. The substances used to create it can be dangerous if ingested, so if you know that your pet is curious and has eaten plants before, you need to go for a non-toxic, natural option that won’t cause them any harm.
Banana tree
After learning to take care of flowers, you can move on to a different challenge: taking care of a tree. Banana plants are 100% non-toxic; in fact, they are mostly made out of water, so you might discover that your dog or cat goes for the stem when they become thirsty. The good news is that it is completely harmless and won’t affect their health in any way. Banana trees are large and can provide a dramatic accent in your interior design ensemble. Some of them can grow as tall as six feet, but if you’re constrained by the space, you can always go for a miniature variety that will grow somewhere between two and four feet.
Banana trees thrive in the sun and should get at least six hours of direct sunlight. However, if you notice that the leaves are starting to become scorched, you should reduce exposure. Make sure the soil is organically rich and has proper drainage. Since this plant hails from the rainforest, it needs plenty of water as well as moisture in the air. Water regularly, but remember that the soil should be moist and not soggy. Overwatering will cause the roots to rot.
Taking care of plants is a rewarding activity, but if you already share your home with one or two fur babies, it is crucial to consider their well-being. Since some plants can be poisonous for pets, you must research before purchasing one of them to protect your pet’s safety.
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