When you have a cat or a dog, just like a child, you have to consider their health and safety for every item you put in your home. Unfortunately, this means you can’t just purchase whatever house plant you like, especially when it comes to cats and their ability to get literally anywhere they want. There are plenty of plants that aren’t harmful to your cats and dogs. Even though they can’t stop your pets from destroying them for sport, here are some house plants that are safe for cats and dogs:
Rattlesnake Plant
The native plant of Brazil is a reasonably easy houseplant to take care of and it also provides great color and aesthetics for your decor with its greens and purples. It can fit well in any style of discord from rustic coastal to mid-century modern.
Care instructions
Water the plant evenly without saturating the soil to the point of sogginess. Make sure to never let the leaves wilt. The plants do well in morning sunlight but shouldn’t be left out in intense afternoon sunlight. They do best in warm temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During the growing season, you can fertilize the plant with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are one of the more popular houseplants because of how resilient and simple they are to maintain. One of the most appealing characteristics of the Spider Plant is its efficiency when it comes to filtering toxins out of the air.
Care instructions
Place the plant in bright to moderate sunlight in a room with moderate temperature. Water once a week keeping the soil slightly moist. During the winter, let the soil dry out a little before watering again. Spider Plants are sensitive to fluoride so try to use distilled water. Every two to three weeks, fertilize with a blanched fertilizer.
Parlor Palm
If you like your bedroom to look like a dark dungeon with very little sunlight, the Parlor Palm is a great option for you. It’s one of the most common indoor plants you’ll find in homes because it is relatively easy to take care of while also providing tremendous air purifying capabilities.
Care instructions
Parlor Palms require above-average humidity so if you’re in a dry climate, use a humidifier. Be sure to keep them in well-drained soil and water them whenever the top few inches become dry. They do best in rooms with a temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Calathea Orbifolia
The Calathea Orbifolia has big, wide green leaves with darker green stripes running through them. They are visually appealing house plants that can help create depth of color and texture in any room in the house. They also love sunlight which means they are a great plant to keep near a window.
Care instructions
The plant thrives in well-drained soil that never gets too dry or soggy. They also do well in moderate to light humidity. The ideal temperature of the room should be between 75 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer and use at ¼ and ½ strength during the growing season.
Ponytail Palm
If you tend to neglect your house plants at times, consider getting some Ponytail Palms. They can survive plenty of neglect and they are safe for your cats and dogs. They’re great for giving a tropical or desert feel to your decor.
Care instructions
Use a fast draining soil like a succulent or cacti potting mix. If you have sand and perlite on hand, you can mix them with soil to create your own desert soil. Use a pot with holes on the bottom to help drain the soil properly. They do best in bright light so keep them near a window. Water them whenever the top few inches of the soil become dry.