Houseplants that are harmless to pets

 

They say Czechs are a nation of dog lovers. Reportedly, more than 2.5 million dogs live in the Czech Republic, and the numbers surely grew even further during the COVID pandemic. At the same time, the number of households that have expanded their collection of houseplants has grown as well. That raises a question: will our animal darlings get along with our potted ones? If you do not yet know whether your houseplants are harmless to animals or not, you have come to the right place. And even if they were toxic, you certainly do not have to throw them out. Simply place them somewhere your pet cannot reach and try to prevent any nibbling. 

Fortunately, there is a large group of plants that are not toxic to pets or to children and adults, and some are even suitable as food for rodents or rabbits. Want to know more? Read on.

 

No need to worry about these

Below is an overview of plants that are harmless to pets. That said, your pets should not devour a whole plant in one sitting; by harmless we mean safe if a few leaves are eaten. Any toxins the plant may contain do not exceed the usual limits set for vegetables, including those intended for human consumption.

 

Hoya

These succulent-type plants are adorned with glossy, fleshy leaves that can hold water for quite a long time. That is one reason they suit beginners, who may be delighted that they grow fairly quickly and, with good care, produce beautiful fragrant flower clusters.

 

Tried and tested. Not long ago, our rabbit Poo nibbled three leaves of my Hoya carnosa, which I had accidentally left on the table while watering, with its stems reaching all the way to the floor. Apart from me being angry with him, nothing happened to him, and fortunately the poor Hoya did not take it too hard either. - Bětka

 

 

Photo: Be especially careful with cacti that have spines. Many cacti contain toxic substances and can cause very unpleasant skin inflammation.

 

Calathea & Maranta

These plants are also known as prayer plants. They got this name because in the evening they raise their leaves upward, so they resemble hands folded in prayer. They are beautifully colored species that love higher humidity and potting mix that is always slightly moist. They do best in light partial shade, definitely not in direct scorching sun, because their leaves are delicate and would burn easily.

 

Peperomia

This very large and diverse genus is also non-toxic to people and animals. Care depends on the specific species, but in general they will thrive in a sunny spot, often even in direct sun, and they do not need high humidity or frequent watering.

 

African violet

These popular flowering houseplants will delight children in their bedrooms too. They come in lots of colors and are very easy to care for. Simply place your violet somewhere it will get enough diffused light and water it every now and then. It tolerates dryness better than overwatering. And you do not need to worry even if you have pets: it is not toxic to them either.

 

Photo: A cat nibbling on Asparagus

 

 

Some ferns

Ferns are a large group of plants that includes some toxic species, mainly garden and woodland ones. But if you grow, for example, the very popular Nephrolepis at home, that one happens to be non-toxic. The same goes for Asparagus, Phlebodium, Asplenium and Platycerium.

 

 

Palms

Indoor palms are especially tempting to cats because of their looks, both for nibbling and, in the case of larger species, for climbing. Fortunately, these plants are not toxic, so if your cat nibbles a leaf here and there, nothing should happen to it. Non-toxic species include Areca lutescens, Chamaedorea elegans and also Nolina (ponytail palm).

Tillandsias

These air plants are also harmless to pets. Even so, the stringy Spanish moss, or Tillandsia usneoides, can be quite tempting, especially for cats, which might try to nibble on it. Even if eaten, though, it should not harm the animal.

 

Cat grass, umbrella sedges

Cyperus zumula, or cat grass, is a great plant especially for cats, as the name suggests. It is a low-maintenance houseplant with long, fresh green leaves that are very thin, drooping or slightly curled. It likes plenty of indirect light and generous watering. Cats and dogs love to munch on it. It helps them digest their food better, and it is also suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoises. If you have such animals at home and want to treat them to some nibbling now and then, get several of these plants at once so that the leaves have time to grow back.

 

Spider plant (Chlorophytum)

Another plant that will delight rabbits and guinea pigs in particular is the spider plant. The plant itself is very decorative, and if it also serves as food for pets now and then, that is just a nice bonus. But that is not all. According to NASA research, the spider plant cleans the air of pollutants and is recommended for homes with allergy sufferers or people with chronic lung disease. There are several varieties, for example Chlorophytum variegatum, which has long, pointed, white-edged leaves, making it probably the best choice for feeding; Chlorophytum Bonnie, which has similarly colored leaves, but curled into ringlets; and also Chlorophytum Fire Flash, which has lance-shaped leaves and bright orange leaf stalks.

 

Turtle vine (Callisia repens)

Turtle vine is not toxic to animals or people. On the contrary, it is even used as a medicinal plant. In its native South America, it grows in the understory of tropical rainforests, where direct sunlight cannot reach it, but where it is warm and humid. Terrariums, for example those for reptiles and tortoises, can often provide such conditions. Pet birds love to snack on it too.

 

Photo: Sometimes you need to think not only about toxic versus non-toxic, but also about the right place for plants in your home. We do not want a falling planter to injure a pet or a small child.

 

Other non-toxic plants

Other plants that are non-toxic to animals include shrubby begonias, jade plants (Crassula), dracaenas (opinions differ quite a bit here) and spiderworts (Tradescantia). We will gladly help you choose plants that are safe for your pets at our store in Prague 8.

 

Plants and cats

Cats are generally very curious and lively animals, and it is not easy to keep an eye on them and stop them from climbing tall houseplants and nibbling their leaves. Of course, it depends on each cat’s personality. The easiest solution, though, will certainly be to try to put plants out of their reach or to grow fewer of the highly toxic houseplants. You can find out which ones they are in our article.

In general, cats are most likely to nibble on plants with long, thin leaves that remind them of grass, which outdoor cats eat to help their digestion. Try getting your cat some actual cat grass, or Cyperus zumula, which could draw all the attention to itself, and your cat could nibble on it to its heart’s content.

It is also said that citrus repels cats, so you could try placing citrus peels on the soil in the planter. In pet supply stores, you will certainly also find special cat-repellent sprays that you can try spraying on your plants.

If you grow houseplants and keep dogs, rabbits or small rodents, you do not have to be as careful as with cats. Just place the plants out of their reach, and nothing should happen. Macramé plant hangers are great for this, or you can mount plants right on the wall, for example in a PlantBox living wall.

If you have not found your houseplant in this list or are still not sure whether it is toxic or not, feel free to write to us for advice.

We wish your plants and pets a pleasant and peaceful life together.

 

Author: Ing. Alžběta Lacinová