Our favourite pet friendly indoor plants
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Why do cats and dogs eat houseplants? Some people believe they do it to calm an upset stomach or help process hairballs, while others think pets are attempting to remedy a nutritional deficiency. Cats and dogs might even chew on houseplants during play sessions, attacking waving fronds as they would a toy. It can be difficult to keep a houseplant away from a pet that is determined to chew, so it’s up to us to ensure that any plants we grow in the home are safe and non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Check out 8 of our favourite non-toxic plants that are pet friendly.
Spider Plant
This pet-friendly houseplant is one of the easiest you can grow. Spider plant grows best in bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate lower light conditions, too. Let the soil dry between waterings, and your plant can grow up to 30cm tall and 60cm wide.
Parlour Palm
Pet owners looking to add a small tree indoors may want to pick up a Parlour Palm. This pet-friendly, low-maintenance houseplant is also a good starting point for beginners. It grows best in bright, indirect light, but also tolerates low light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Calathea
Topping out at 15 to 20cm, a Calathea is ideal for small spaces like bookshelves and end tables. Its red leaves curl up at night, giving it its name. What’s more, it’s one of the easiest houseplants you can grow that’s also safe for pets. It grows best in medium or low light, and you can let its soil dry out a bit between waterings.
Peperomia
The diversity of colours and textures across the Peperomia species keeps them on the shortlist of popular houseplants. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, look great in hanging baskets, and don’t mind if you forget to water occasionally.
Mosaic Plant
One of the common names of Fittonia albivenis is the nerve plant, which has the ominous sound of something that affects the nervous system. However, this rainforest native with lovely white or pink veining on its leaves is non-toxic to cats and dogs. The small houseplant thrives in low light with moderate watering
Haworthia
No need to drop any cash on faux succulents; Haworthia is the real thing, and it’s almost as easy to care for as the fake version. Place your Haworthia in bright light, and water weekly. Unlike similar-looking aloe plants, all members of the large Haworthia genus are safe for cats and dogs.
Nephrolepis
Popular for their frilly green leaves, Nephrolepis is a classic beauty that adds charm to any room. These plants do best in a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. Not only are they one of the easiest types of ferns to care for, but they’re also safe for pets.
Fishbone cactus
Unsurprisingly known as the zigzag cactus, this pet-friendly house plant is native to Mexico and beautiful addition to your living space as not only is it simple to care for, but it will flower when happy too. Fishbone Cactus thrives in indirect light but can tolerate periods of bright sun. Like most cacti, this houseplant does best when allowed to dry out between waterings.
