13 Plants You Should Grow If You Have Pets

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If you’re a pet parent, you know that our furry friends can be curious. Pets have a knack for finding their way into everything, whether they’re sniffing around the house or nibbling on random things.

If you have pets and love plants but are worried about the plants making your pets sick when they chew on them, then you’re in luck! Luckily, there are many plants that are not only harmless to animals but also look great in your home. Here are some great options.

Spider Plant

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy — Image by Mokkie via Wikimedia Commons

Spider plants are like the golden retriever of houseplants: They are low maintenance, non toxic and look good in just about any setting. If your pet nibbles a few leaves, don’t worry. On top of that, these plants are great air purifiers to keep your home smelling fresh.

Boston Fern

15 Must-Have Houseplants That Practically Take Care of Themselves — Image Credit:Mokkie/Wikimedia Commons

Not only are Boston ferns lush and full, but they are perfectly safe for your pets. As they love humid environments, if you have a bathroom with natural light, it’s a win win situation. As long as you keep the soil moist, you’ll have a happy, fluffy plant that won’t make your pet sick.

Areca Palm

Do you want that tropical vibe but not the risk to your pets? Areca palm is a good choice. This is a beautiful tall plant that is non toxic and brings an exotic flair to any room. It’s also a fantastic toxin filter, and your home will feel a bit like a clean, green paradise.

Calathea

These are the divas of the plant world with their colourful and patterned leaves, but the good news is that calatheas are pet safe. They are a bit more attention needing, especially with humidity levels and indirect light, but their beauty and pet safe nature make them well worth the extra effort.

Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo palm is a pet friendly powerhouse. Not only is it a beautiful addition to your plant collection, but it will also take away harmful chemicals from the air. It will grow well inside and is safe for your pets to be around.

African Violet

African violets are great if you want a pop of color. These small, vibrant flowers are safe for cats and dogs, and are easy to care for even if you don’t have a green thumb. These also do well as houseplants, just be sure to place them in bright, indirect light and they will bloom beautifully without any risk to your furry friends.

Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm is a succulent, despite its name, and is totally safe for pets according to Big Dog Pet Foods. It has a fun look with long, curly leaves cascading from a sturdy trunk, and it can stand a little neglect if you forget to water it.

Cast Iron Plant

This plant, as the name suggests, is nearly indestructible and luckily it’s pet safe. If you have a dark corner in your home or just need a plant that can survive your pet’s curiosity, this hardy, leafy plant is for you.

Maranta (Prayer Plant)

Another beauty that won’t harm your pets is the maranta, or prayer plant. Its leaves are strikingly patterned and close up at night in the shape of praying hands. If you’re looking for something visually interesting and non toxic, it’s a perfect option.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus is friendly to both pets and people, unlike its prickly relatives. This is an easy to care for plant that blooms with bright pink or red flowers, usually around the holidays. If the pets get a little too curious, you won’t need to worry about them getting hurt or sick.

Parlor Palm

The parlor palm is a safe statement plant for your pets if you’re looking for one. It grows a little slower but the elegant fronds are a real touch of sophistication in any room. It also does fine in low light and doesn’t mind being brushed up against by your pet.

Peperomia

Small, pet friendly peperomias are available in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. These are easy to care for, do well in low light, and are non toxic to pets so they make a great addition to any indoor garden.

Herbs (Basil, Rosemary, Thyme)

For the herb lover, many common ones such as basil, rosemary, and thyme are safe for pets. They not only make your kitchen smell amazing, but they also give you fresh ingredients to cook with. Just make sure to keep them watered and you’ll have happy herbs and happy pets.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.