Plants and foliage add life to your indoor spaces. Green leaves and attractive blooms give your home a burst of color. However, if you have pets, you’ll need to choose your houseplants carefully because some can be toxic to cats and dogs. If you want to add greenery to your living areas, consider the following pet-safe indoor plants.
Boston Ferns
The Boston fern is a beautiful plant with fronds that look almost feather-like. These ferns are non-toxic to dogs and cats, and they make great houseplants that are easy to care for and work well as hanging baskets. A Boston fern likes indirect sunlight and damp soil. You might want to place yours on top of a bookcase because cats do like to play with the long fronds.
Phalaenopsis Orchid
These orchids have beautiful, showy flowers and are safe for pets. A phalaenopsis likes good light and consistent moisture. They do very well as houseplants, however, they grow slowly, producing only one or two new leaves every year. Orchids can be sensitive and may not respond well if they are tipped over by a playful pet.
Spider Plants are Pet-Safe Indoor Plants
Spider plants are attractive, easy to grow, and help improve air quality. If you are struggling to keep houseplants alive, try growing a spider plant. They like well-drained potting soil and indirect sunlight.
Spider plants have long, thin foliage that is solid green or striped with white. These plants grow well in a hanging basket, which also keeps them out of reach of pets who may enjoy playing with the long leaves.
African Violets
African violets are well-loved because they are easy to grow and will flower in low light. They enjoy moderate temperatures and average humidity. Use a special African violet potting soil mixture for the best results. To care for African violets, water them with lukewarm water and only water the soil; don’t splash their leaves or flowers.
Pet-Safe Indoor Plants: Bromeliads
Bromeliads are related to pineapples and are another easy-to-grow houseplant. These plants like bright light and humidity. Some bromeliads can grow as air plants, attached to a frame or piece of driftwood. Display them on the wall to keep them out of reach of your cat. Air plant varieties are great choices for homes with animals who might dig in potting soil.
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