At GoodCharlie Energy, we understand that your pets are a part of your family. You can form bonds with dogs and cats that you simply can't with other things or people. However, just because your pets are some of the most essential things in your life doesn't mean you can't have different hobbies and items in your home.
For example, one of the biggest things people struggle with is having pets and houseplants in the same home. People are terrified that they'll accidentally choose a houseplant that's poisonous for pets. They fear that dogs and cats, being the curious creatures they are, will nibble at their houseplant when they're not looking and get sick or possibly even die.
If you love your pets but want to liven your home with houseplants, you've come to the right place. This article will go over everything you need to know about choosing the right houseplants if you have pets in the home. We'll also discuss how to care for these plants and ensure they and your pets stay safe.
The Rattlesnake Plant is the first plant on our list of safe houseplants for pets. Despite sharing the name of a poisonous snake, the rattlesnake plant is perfectly safe for you and your pets to enjoy. It's a colorful, leafy plant with a unique blend of purples and greens and would make a welcome addition to any home.
Make sure to plant your rattlesnake plant in soil that drains well and gives it plenty of water. You also want to ensure this little guy gets plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures.
The Gloxinia is one of the most beautiful houseplants on our list and is perfectly safe for dogs and cats. Gloxinias are purple flowers that are especially popular around birthdays and Valentine's Day because they make the perfect gift to any special person in your life.
As Gloxinia is native to Brazil, it craves moisture and sunshine. So, as long as you keep this beauty fairly well-watered and give it plenty of time in the sun, you and your pets will be able to enjoy its beauty safe and sound.
With palms, you want to be careful and make sure they're true palms and not exotic ones. True palms, such as the Areca and Parlor Palms, are perfectly safe for dogs and cats if they happen to take a curious nibble. However, other more exotic palms, such as the Sago Palm, are not safe for dogs and cats. Therefore, you must know the type of palm you're purchasing and research whether it's pet safe. Otherwise, you'll be jeopardizing your furry friend's health and safety.
If you're looking for a safe, easy plant to take care of with pets in the house, the Spider Plant is the one for you. Spider plants are usually hanging in baskets, and they're very stout and resilient plants. Because of how tough they are, don't be surprised if you run into a few Spider plants at your local vet clinic.
They also aim to be natural air purifiers and make the air in your home cleaner and safer. As long as you keep these bad boys out of constant direct sunlight and maintain temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees, your Spider plant should thrive.
If you'd rather have an easy houseplant that's beautiful rather than practical, consider African Violets. While African Violets don't purify the air like Spider plants, they're much more aesthetically pleasing. When African Violets bloom, their flower petals turn a deep purple with tiny bits of yellow in the middle.
African Violets, although beautiful and pet-friendly, are surprisingly low maintenance. As long as you fertilize and water your African Violet and keep it at a moderate temperature, it should bloom yearly.
Choosing bamboo plants is similar to choosing palm plants. Some are safe for pets, while others have toxins on their leaves that are harmful to cats. As long as you research and choose the right bamboo plant, your pets will stay safe and poison free.
For example, the golden or fishpole bamboo plant is an attractive, pet-friendly bamboo option. All your bamboo plant needs to thrive is water, nutritious soil, and for your pets not to gnaw at them too much!
With a name like Bird's Nest Fern, you already know that this plant has to be pet friendly! The Bird's Nest Fern is a smaller version of the traditional, massive ferns. Because they're small, however, the Bird's Nest Fern makes a great addition to any home.
To care for your fern, keep it in soil that drains well and water it regularly. You should also keep it out of constant sunlight and make sure the temperature stays between 60 and 80.
Baby's Tears are great complementary plants when combined with ferns, palms, and other hanging houseplants. They also go great around indoor trees and larger potted plants because of their green, creeping nature. Because of how Baby's Tears grow and develop, they cover much of the soil around larger potted plants and will help protect them from curious dogs and cats.
As with palms and bamboo plants, Succulents are usually safe for pets but not always. Haworthia and Echeveria, for example, are perfectly safe for dogs and cats if they happen to take an exploratory bite. Succulents are also an excellent option for your home because they're very low-maintenance. A little water and occasional sun are all these suckers need to blossom.
The final entry on our list of best houseplants that are safe for dogs and cats is the Venus Flytrap. Venus Flytraps are known to be carnivorous plants that eat flies and other nasties that wander into their path. You can rest assured, however, that your pets will be safe around Venus Flytraps, both from toxins and from the plant itself. As long as you keep your Venus Flytrap well-watered and in a reasonably sunny spot, it will protect your home from pesky insects.
As you can see, it's possible to love and care for pets and houseplants in the same home. However, it's vital that you choose one of the houseplants from this list or do your homework before making any purchases. While most houseplants are safe for dogs and cats, some of them are toxic and will leave you regretting your decision to have a green thumb.