These Plants are Safe for Your Dog
Having plants in your home is a great way to add some color and life to a space. It can be a fun project trying to keep them alive and healthy, not to mention they are pretty to look at.
The downside of being a plant parent is that it can often be unsafe if you are also a pet parent. Many common plants are not safe for dogs and cats and can be toxic when they are ingested. Effects can include seizures, tremors, vomiting, or even worse.
Training a dog to stay away from the plants is an option but even the most well-behaved pets are bound to get curious at some point. This is why we’ve compiled a list of plants that will spice up your space while keeping your furry friend safe.
1. Herbs
Herbs including basil, rosemary, and thyme are not only delicious additions to meals but are also totally safe for your pet to indulge in.
Care:
These plants love to be in direct light so leave them by the window to sunbathe. They need to be watered regularly and can be harvested between 75 and 100 days after being planted, depending on the type of herb you are growing.
2. Friendship Plant
The friendship plant is more than just its cute name. It has very detailed leaves that are soft to the touch, and best of all, harmless to your furry friend.
Care:
This is a plant that can survive in low light. It is best to keep it in moderate to bright, but indirect, light. It also does well in around 65-85 degrees F, so keeping it inside is good. It needs to be watered thoroughly but the soil needs to be slightly dried out before it is watered and it needs less water in the winter months.
3. Baby Tears
This plant gets its name from the dripping tendrils that fall over its pot. These long vines are practically begging your pup to have a bite, but don’t worry, it’s totally safe!
Care:
This plant is perfect for budding plant enthusiasts. Keep it in a place with filtered light that stays between 70-80 degrees F. This plant needs lots of water. Keep the soil moist because if the plant gets thirsty it will surely let you know by beginning to wilt.
4. Orchid
If you are looking to add a flair of elegance to your space, look no further than this native Asian plant. It will make any space feel fancier and if your pet takes an interest in it, they will be just fine.
Care:
This flower will do best in partial light and humid climates. Water this plant once a week in the winter and twice a week when it starts to get hotter outside. If you take good care of this plant, the blooms can last up to four months, but once the flowers die off, they will return the next season. If you notice the leaves yellowing, it’s possible the plant is getting too much water or too much sun.
5. Watermelon Peperomia
A quick look at the leaves of the plants makes it obvious where it got its namesake with streaks and ridges similar to a watermelon.
Care:
This is a pretty low-maintenance plant. They don’t need a ton of water and only need to be hydrated when the top inch or so of soil is feeling try. Keep it out of direct sunlight and between 65-80 degrees F and your Peperomia will be perfectly happy.
6. Boston Fern
If you’re in the mood for a low-maintenance plant, you and your pet will love the addition of this fern into your home.
Care:
This plant needs food every two months and indirect light with high humidity. To add extra humidity, you can set the pot of the fern in a tray of pebbles and water and mist the leaves twice a week. The rule of thumb for watering this plant is just to make sure the soil stays nice and damp.
7. Venus Flytrap
Not only is this plant super fun to have, but it is also totally pet-safe. It is also super low-maintenance so it won’t be an extra headache for you.
Care:
For watering this plant, you want to make sure the soil is always damp to the touch. This plant is picky with its water and only like pure water. This could be either distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis. Set it in a place that gets at least four hours of direct sunlight every day and instead of traditional soil, opt for peat or sphagnum moss. We recommend keeping this plant outside on a porch or a deck so that it can feed itself with passing flies. It only needs about two a month to sustain itself.
8. (Some) Succulents
While there are some succulents that are not pet-safe, species such as Hawthorthia, Echeveria, or air plants are totally safe. A few of these plants will spruce up any living space and bring a breath of life. They also don’t require much care.
Care:
The most important things to remember are that this plant wants tons of direct sunlight so a windowsill is a perfect home for these guys. They will also only want to be lightly watered every two or so weeks. Check to make sure the soil is dry before you whip out a watering can.
9. Calathea Orbifolia
This plant is not only pet-safe but also beautiful. It is also perfect for homes that don’t get a ton of natural light.
Care:
These plants do best in spots that are usually pretty shady so if you’re looking for the perfect plant to spruce up your shelves, this plant is perfect. Too much sunlight will burn the beautiful green leaves of this plant so be mindful of the amount of direct sunlight it gets. For watering, it is important to make sure that this plant stays nice and hydrated. Also, keep it at a temperate of 60-80 degrees F and consider keeping it near a humidifier or misting it often as it enjoys lots of humidity.
10. Spider Plant
This plant is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors and is so safe for your pet that you will often find this plant in a veterinarian’s office. They are incredibly resilient plants so even a not-so-green thumb will be just fun with this plant.
Care:
These plants do not like direct sunlight as it will scorch their leaves so it prefers to be near an indirect bright light. However, this plant will tolerate low light conditions. Try to keep these plants between 60-80 degrees F and they will be perfectly happy.
Besides those listed, there are plenty of perfectly safe household plants to spruce up your home. If you are unsure about a plant in your home or want to have more options for non-toxic household plants, check out this list of toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA. Sit Means Sit wants your dog happy and healthy!