Best Pet Friendly Houseplants

Recently, I have heard some concern from friends and family that the plants they just purchased are considered toxic to their fur babies. Fear not! I have compiled a list of the best pet friendly houseplants. Unless your pet is notorious for snooping around and getting into things they should not be getting into, then you probably will be okay with keeping your new houseplants. For those who have pets that cannot keep his/her paws off the counters (like our Theo shown in the photo below), then it may be time to part ways with your new plant.

Let’s try to keep everyone safe now. I don’t want you to have to get rid of your new favorite houseplant you just rescued! You found it all by it’s lonesome, sitting there looking beautiful, you just had to bring it home with you!

THAT PLANT NEEDS A HOME TOO!

And nobody wants to see any pet become ill after getting into your Monstera Deliciosa. So with that being said, I have compiled a list of the best pet friendly houseplants and common houseplants toxic to animals.

1. Spider Plant

As I am sure you’ve heard and seen before, the Spider Plant is one of the most common houseplants around. And lucky for you fur moms and dads, it is considered one of the best pet friendly houseplants for dogs and cats. The Spider Plant is easily identifiable as it has offshoots, often called ‘pups’ that dangle off its parent plant, resembling a spider! This is its own way of propagating and spreading in its natural habitat. Due to its spreading, this plant can get pretty large. However, it is very easy to propagate these offshoots yourself to create a ‘web’ (see what I did there?) of spider plants.

The Spider Plant is an air purifying plant that will benefit your home in many ways.

Place it upon a banister and let it hang down to add some greenery into your home. This plant is a classic and very gorgeous. You will know it’s thriving when it starts to pop out tiny white flowers.

Spider plants also comes in several variations. The most common type of Spider Plant is seen with white stripes running down the center or the edge of the leaves.

• Botanical Name: Chlorphytum comosum
• Light: Part Sun to Part Shade (it’s not too picky.) Direct sunlight can cause browning of the tips of the leaves. Beware.
• Soil: Well draining potting mix.
• Water: They like moisture, but do not prefer to be sopping wet or bone dry.
• Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
• Fertilization: Fertilize up to 2 times per month during the growing season of Spring and Summer.

2. Majesty Palm

To really give your home that indoor jungle look, consider getting yourself a palm tree! They can make a statement in any room of your home. We have a Majesty Palm (pictured above) in our kitchen/dining area. It sits in a west facing corner by our back door.

We struggled with this guy for a few months when we had him up in our loft in a corner between two south and west facing windows. He was showing brown and burnt tips so we decided to relocate it to a new area. We are so glad we did! It is the perfect statement plant for our kitchen area! We love having him with us, and so do our pets, as they are pet friendly!

Now go on out and pick yourself up one of these beauties.

Our Majesty Palm currently stands about 3 feet all. This is average for being grown as a houseplant. However, I have seen palms reaching over 10 feet tall!

• Botanical Name: Ravenea rivularis
• Light: Moderate Indirect Light. It’ll tell you when its seen too much light for the day.
• Soil: Well draining potting mix.
• Water: They like moisture and consistency. Water twice a week.
• Temperature: Average temperature but increased humidity. Try adding a humidifier into your home or misting the plant 1-2 times per week.
• Fertilization: Fertilize during its growing season more often than your would during the winter months. Follow the directions on your fertilizer for more information on dosage.

3. Baby Rubber Plant

The newest addition to our plant family. I found this at my local Home Depot and it was just too cute to pass up. It’s small and perfect for a bedroom night stand or office. The variagation on this little guy is stunning. I cannot wait to see how it grows as it matures.

Related: 5 Variegated Houseplants You Need

Since he is brand new, I have not found a proper home for him yet. But considering he prefers shade, I think he will end up on my dresser.

This guy is part of the Peperomia family and if you know anything about houseplants, you will know that the leaves on this plant have a waxy and glossy feeling, very similar to a succulent. Round shaped leaves really makes it stand out amongst a crowd.

If you’re lucky, Baby Rubber Plants may sprout some baby white flowers for you anytime between spring through fall!

Oh, and most importantly, Baby Rubber Plants are indeed pet friendly houseplants.

• Botanical Name: Peperomia obtusifolia
• Light: Partial Shade- however, too little light may cause variegation to disappear so be sure to give Baby extra light every now and then.
• Soil: Peat based soil that drains well.
• Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to completely dry out before watering again.
• Temperature: Above average temperature and increased humidity. Try adding a humidifier into your home or misting the plant 1-2 times per week.
• Fertilization: Use a liquid fertilizer once every week during its growing season- spring. In the summertime, reduce to once a month.

4. Pincushion Peperomia

No, I promise you it is not a pot of green beans. Instead this is, surprisingly, a Peperomia. You’ll see more Peperomias that are pet friendly later on this list. This unique plant differs from most other Peperomias as it does not have round, glossy leaves. As you can see, its foliage are peapod shaped and is to be considered a semi-succulent. This guy is placed in a bright room but a few feet away from windows to avoid burnt leaves.

• Botanical Name: Peperomia ferreyrae
• Light: Bright Indirect Light
• Soil: Peat based soil that drains well.
• Water: Allow top soil to completely dry out before watering again. Similar to other succulents.
• Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
• Fertilization: Use a liquid fertilizer once every week during its growing season- spring. In the summertime, reduce to once a month.

5. Neanthe Bella Palm

Also known as a Parlor Palm, this palm is a perfect table top size plant for your indoor jungle. This plant is a slow grower and if you are patient enough, this palm can reach heights up to 4 feet!

It would be an excellent statement plant for any room of the house!

A great beginner plant, this is fairly easy to grow as it is pretty low maintenance. Just give it what it needs, a little bit of light here, a little bit of water there, and you have yourself one happy palm!

• Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
• Light: Moderate Indirect Light
• Soil: Well draining potting mix
• Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to completely dry out before watering again.
• Temperature: Prefers to be on the warmer side as well as regular misting to increase humidity.
• Fertilization: Once every 2 weeks during its growing season from Spring to Fall.

6. Ponytail Palm

There are several other names for this houseplant right here. You may better know it as an Elephant Foot Tree or Bottle Palm. Personally, I prefer Ponytail Palm because it literally looks like a pony tail. Duh. Often confused as a true palm, it is actually not part of that family at all!

This was the first plant we introduced into our home!

It was such a baby too! It has grown quite a bit and we are looking forward to seeing it grow even more! Overall, this is a pretty low maintenance plant. Give it light, water and a rocky draining soil and it should grow, grow and grow some more.

We recently just moved this guy up to our loft where our Majesty Palm used to be. Because of the South and West facing windows up there, our Ponytail Palm is doing much better! He prefers to be in shallow pots, this one here is perfect!

I think we have made him a happy guy!

• Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata
• Light: Bright Light. The more light the better!
• Soil: Well draining mix. Include some rocks or pebbles to enhance the drainage even more!
• Water: Water enough but infrequently. Allow soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
• Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
• Fertilization: Fertilize once or twice during its growing months.

7. Watermelon Peperomia

Unfortunately, I do not own a Watermelon Peperomia plant. Well, not yet at least. It is on my wishlist of houseplants I’d like to add to my plant family. Named after the skin of a watermelon (shocker), it’s another cute and small plant, perfect for a night stand or side table. You can even style it on your coffee table and not have to worry about your Golden Retriever knocking it over with its big, bushy tail. But if he does, do not panic, as this plant is considered one of the best pet friendly houseplants!

Related: 10 Common Toxic Houseplants To Pets

Fleshy, round shaped foliage with green and silver stripes really makes him unique amongst other plants. Sometimes they even flower. However, the leaves are what makes this houseplant so attractive! Another fairly low maintenance plant that is easy to grow for all you brown thumbs out there!

• Botanical Name: Peperomia argyreia
• Light: Bright light to partial shade. What does that even mean? Bright light room, but a few feet away from any direct light. We need to mimic its natural habitat.
• Soil: Well draining peat moss mix.
• Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings. Too much water causes root rot.
• Temperature: Prefers temperatures of 65-75ºF, but no lower than 50ºF. Average humidity.
• Fertilization: During the spring, fertilize once or twice a month until the end of the summer.

8. Boston Fern

Another extremely popular and common houseplant is the Boston Fern. Gorgeous foliage is stunningly displayed in a hanging planter or hanging down from a banister or table. This is another plant that we do not currently have in the home. In one of my flower arrangements outside, I do have some of its lime green foliage peaking out amongst some gorgeous flowers!

Some may say this plant is picky, some may say it is not. I guess I wouldn’t know since I do not have any personal experience. What I can tell you, is that this plant will thrive, if and only if, you are giving it the proper attention and care it needs.

It’s a little high maintenance. But aren’t we all? Continue reading to find out the conditions a Boston Fern needs in able to survive.

• Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis
• Light: Moderate indirect light.
• Soil: Usually planted in soils high in peat moss.
• Water: They like moisture and consistency. Check daily if soil feels dry. Water it if it is. Boston Ferns will die if underwatered.
• Temperature: Prefers cooler temperature but high humidity. The more humidity the better. When you shower, take it in the bathroom with you!
• Fertilization: Not picky but fertilize during the growing season.

9. Prayer Plant (Maranta)

Another plant that is on my wishlist. I’ve been seeing this guy circulating around social media and let me tell you, it looks stunning! If I am lucky enough to stumble upon this one day, you best know I will be bringing it home.

Other plant enthusiasts have shown their Maranta on a time lapse and it is fascinating! If you have not seen it, go to YouTube after this article and watch a video. You will see then why it is called a Prayer Plant. At night, the leaves lift up like praying hands!

Plants are so neat, aren’t they?

This plant has some of the most unique colors in its leaves. Clocking in at about a foot tall, the leaves on this guy can reach up to 6 inches long!

• Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura
• Light: Bright indirect light
• Soil: Well draining potting mix
• Water: They like moisture and consistency.
• Temperature: Average temperature but higher humidity. Try misting the leaves 1-2 times per week.
• Fertilization: Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season.

10. Calathea

You will see very similar conditions and looks between Calatheas and Marantas, as they are in the same family. Both plants have very unique foliage and are styled beautifully on console tables! Most importantly, they make the list for best pet friendly houseplants.

The Calathea differs as it does get slightly larger than a Maranta. Calatheas can reach a height of 24 inches and get as wide as 2 feet. Calatheas also come in more than 300 different types!

The possibilities are endless. You can have a Calaethea in every room if you’d like!

It is true on what experts say, Calatheas are fussy plants. They are high maintenance and require a little extra attention. But they are sure worth it!

• Botanical Name: Calathea
• Light: Bright indirect light
• Soil: Well draining porous mix
• Water: Picky about the type of water. Best to use Distilled and never over water. Wait till top soil is dry to avoid root rot.
• Temperature: Average to warm temperatures. The higher the humidity, the better!
• Fertilization: Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

Best Pet Friendly Houseplants For Your Fur Baby

Well that about wraps it up here! Didn’t see your plant on my list? Leave a reply with any questions about its toxicity/maintenance or check out my other posts here to find out more about your favorite house plants.

Be sure to check the 10 COMMON TOXIC HOUSEPLANTS TO DOGS & CATS post and find out if your fur babe is in danger!

Be sure to follow me on social media and share this post with your plant friends!

Happy Planting!

Source: aspca.org