Expert tips to Create a green oasis safe for furry friends
by Lisa Watters-Lain, Arizona’s garden gal
Attention: plant-loving pet owners!
Bringing the outdoors in with lush greenery is an excellent way to spruce up your sweet home. Extra care is needed for your indoor plants if you have furry friends roaming around. We want our pets to be happy and healthy, but some common houseplants can cause anything from mild irritation to a full-blown pet emergency. Keep your pet paradise toxin-free and choose plants that won’t make our four-legged pals do a double take.
Fortunately, many “pawsitively perfect” pet-friendly plants can add life and beauty to your home without posing a risk to your beloved animals. Here are a few of the best choices, along with tips on how to grow them indoors:
Boston Fern. Its cascading fronds evoke a sense of calm, reminiscent of a peaceful forest, while also purifying the air you breathe. This easy-to-care-for plant thrives in humidity, making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. Its non-toxic nature ensures your pets safely admire its beauty. With minimal effort, you can enjoy this classic fern’s year-round elegance and air-purifying benefits, creating a refreshing and inviting atmosphere in your home.
Bromeliad. Imagine a vibrant, tropical flower that brightens your home and coexists peacefully with your furry friends. These stunning plants boast captivating colors and unique shapes, adding a touch of exotic flair to any room. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and their sturdy leaves even withstand a curious nibble or two. With minimal care requirements and long-lasting blooms, a Bromeliad is the perfect pet-friendly plant to add a touch of the tropics to your home without any worries.
Calathea. With its mesmerizing leaf patterns, like a Rattlesnake Plant’s intricate designs or a Prayer Plant’s captivating movements, a Calathea is a living work of art. Its non-toxic nature ensures your pets safely satisfy their curiosity. At the same time, you enjoy the vibrant colors and unique textures that bring life to any room. These low-maintenance beauties are the perfect choice for plant enthusiasts and pet lovers alike.
Haworthia are an excellent choice for pet owners looking for low-maintenance, attractive plants that are safe for their furry companions. These succulents are known for their unique textures and shapes, adding visual interest to any space. Their hardiness makes them easy to care for, even for novice gardeners. Haworthias require minimal watering and thrive in bright, indirect light. They’re perfect for busy lifestyles.
Peperomia boasts a fascinating array of leaf shapes and colors, from the watermelon-esque patterns of the Peperomia argyreia to the deep red hues of the Peperomia caperata “Rosso.” Not only are they non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for worry-free households, but they are incredibly low-maintenance and thrive in various conditions.
Ponytail Palm. Imagine a quirky, Dr. Seuss-like plant that is as tough as it is charming. This unique succulent is entirely safe for your furry friends and practically thrives on neglect. Its swollen trunk stores water, making it drought-tolerant, and it loves basking in bright sunlight. With its whimsical, cascading foliage, the Ponytail Palm adds a touch of personality to any space. It’s a conversation starter, a pet-friendly pal, and a guaranteed way to bring a touch of the exotic into your home.
Prayer Plant. Its captivating foliage resembles hands raised in prayer. This beauty folds its leaves up at night and then lowers them during the day, creating a fascinating spectacle. This pet-friendly wonder purifies the air while being completely safe for your furry companions. Its easy-going nature means you don’t need a green thumb to keep it thriving, making it the perfect low-maintenance, high-reward addition to your home jungle.
Spider Plant, with its cascading foliage, provides a playful texture for curious paws and its non-toxic nature ensures worry-free greenery, even if a nibble is taken. Easy to care for and even easier to propagate, a Spider Plant is a gift that keeps on giving, offering endless opportunities to share its beauty with friends and family. A must-have for any pet-loving plant enthusiast.
Venus Flytrap. Forget those boring ferns! A Venus Flytrap is the ultimate pet-friendly houseplant that offers endless entertainment. Not only is it completely safe for your furry friends, but it’s also a fascinating spectacle to observe. Imagine the delight of watching this carnivorous wonder snap shut on unsuspecting flies, providing natural pest control with a side of captivating drama. Its unique feeding habits and alien-like appearance are guaranteed conversation starters, making it the most interesting pet-friendly plant in your collection. Plus, caring for a Venus Flytrap is surprisingly easy, requiring only distilled water and ample sunlight. Ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with a Venus Flytrap. Your pets will thank you for the extra snacks!
Beyond Plant Selection:
While choosing non-toxic plants is essential, it’s also important to discourage your pets from chewing on them. Provide plenty of engaging toys and activities to keep pets occupied. If you notice your pet showing excessive interest in your plants, try using a pet-deterrent spray or placing the plants out of reach.
By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and thriving indoor garden that is both safe and enjoyable for you and your furry friends. Happy planting!
Until the next issue, I’ll be helping pet owners grow better plants here at Watters Garden Center.
Lisa Watters-Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through her website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Houseplants.com.