Our post on plants that are toxic to cats is so popular that I thought I would also post the non-alarmist version and provide a handy list of common plants that are completely non-toxic for cats and dogs.
SAFE HOUSEPLANTS (and care)
African Violet
Care: Keep the soil moist and let the soil dry out around the roots before watering, this will encourage your plant to bloom. Also water from the bottom and let sit for no more than 30 min, this will prevent root rot and spotting damage. Pinch off the old blooms to encourage the plant to keep blooming.
Light: Moderate to bright, indirect, indoor light.
Light: Moderate to bright, indirect, indoor light.
Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia)
Care: Let the soil dry out in between waterings. If soil is too dry the plant will drop leaves and if the soil is too wet it will develop root rot. So watering from the bottom once every 2 weeks is ideal for this plant.
Light: Bright indirect light is what this plant likes (East-facing window), never place in direct light as this will scorch the leaves.
Bamboo
Care: Water almost daily or daily with little water, depending on the species of your bamboo plant. They like to be lightly sprayed daily to mimic there natural humid conditions. Fertilize them at least once a year and re-pot and separate every couple years as needed.
Light: Give your bamboo plant bright filtered sunlight but not direct light as this will scorch the leaves. This plant handles less light more than too much. Now if your plant is looking like it is stretching for light or the green is faded and dull then you need more light.
Blue Echerveria
Care: In spring, summer and fall keep the soil lightly moist by watering the potting mix and water sparingly in the winter. Try to avoid watering on top of the plant since it will easily rot. Fertilize every 2 weeks spring – fall.
Light: They like bright light with some direct sun.
Light: They like bright light with some direct sun.
Christmas Cactus (Easter Cactus ~ Thanksgiving Cactus ~ Schlumberger Truncata)
Care: A christmas cactus active growth is spring and summer and requires a thorough and frequent watering keeping the soil slightly moist but sometimes allowing to dry out a bit between interval waterings. Do not let the plant sit in water as it will develop root rot. A christmas cactus does prefer a moderate to high humidity level in the house. Use a tray of pebbles and water underneath.
Light: Can adapt to low light conditions but will bloom if exposed to bright light. Keep out of direct light as this will scorch the leaves.
Light: Can adapt to low light conditions but will bloom if exposed to bright light. Keep out of direct light as this will scorch the leaves.
Cliff Brake (Button Fern)
Care: Using a well draining soil dry out soil between waterings. Like humidity so use a tray of pebbles underneath but unlike other ferns it does not like a frequent misting.
Light: They like an indirect bright light in the winter and a more subdue light in summer.
Donkey’s Tail (Burros Tail ~ Lamb’s Tail)
Care: The leaves are very fragile with even the slightest touch. Hanging this plant would be ideal as the it will trail up to 3ft. This plant likes a little humidity but can tolerate dry air but keep it away from drafts. Soil should be moist in spring and summer but water sparingly in fall and winter. You can tell if you are under-watering by the leaves, they will start to shrivel
Light: This plant loves the bright light to direct light in spring, summer, and fall. However, protect the plant from too much summer direct light as this will scorch the leaves. A cool spot in the winter will help promote blooming.
Light: This plant loves the bright light to direct light in spring, summer, and fall. However, protect the plant from too much summer direct light as this will scorch the leaves. A cool spot in the winter will help promote blooming.
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Boston Fern (Other Ferns are toxic)
Care: These plants require moist soil at all times. Do not let it dry out between waterings. Once a month take your plant to the tub or the sink and soak the the soil and let it drain. This allows the the peat moss in the mix to be fully hydrated. Find a cool spot in the house with indirect light and make sure you have provided humidity by placing a tray of pebbles under the plant.
Light: Indirect light only
Light: Indirect light only
Fittonia (Mosiac Plant ~ Nerve Plant)
Care: Soil must be kept moist but not soggy. This plant loves high humidity so provide a tray of pebbles underneath and mist the plant a couple times a week or more as required.
Light: Provide indirect light and will thrive under fluorescent lights.
Golden Cane Palm (Areca ~ Yellow Butterfly Palm ~ Yellow Bamboo Palm)
Care: Keep in mind that this plant can grow up to 28 feet in height. Water frequently keeping the soil moist but not saturated. This plant is prone to root rot so do not let sit in water. Provide good drainage and humidity with a tray of pebbles.
Light: This plant likes medium to high light and will do well in an east, west or south window.
Light: This plant likes medium to high light and will do well in an east, west or south window.
Grape Ivy
Care: Water frequently but let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Use soil that is good for water retention but also allows for good drainage.
Light: Does best in low light but can tolerate bright to medium light if soil is kept moist.
Hens and Chicks
Care: Make sure your hens and chicks are potted with cactus soil mix with good drainage. Only water when soil is dry and water until it drips out the bottom. Empty drip tray after 30 minutes do not let sit
Light: Provide full light.
Light: Provide full light.
Hoya (Krinkle Kurl ~ Wax Plant ~ Hindu Rope)
Care: Keep the soil moist in the spring and summer. In dryer climates you may have to water more frequently. You can even mist the leaves but do not do this during the budding and flowering process. In the winter water less frequent but not to the point of the leaves being dry and shrivelled.
Light: These plants do not require direct light but thrive best by a window.
A north facing window would be great for these plants.
A north facing window would be great for these plants.
Jasmine
Care: Keep the soil moist but not soggy throughout the year but less water during the winter.
Light: Place this plant in a well lit room or a sunny window. Direct light for no more than 4 hours a day is tolerated from late spring to fall.
Lady’s Slipper
Care: Keep the soil moist and being careful not to overwater as this will cause root rot. Use an orchid potting soil mix.
Light: Moderate to bright light is what this plant likes but keep out of direct sunlight.
Majestic Palm
Care: Water your plant thoroughly letting the pot drain but do not let it sit in the water. Water when the soil feels slightly dry to touch but do not let the soil completely dry out.
Light: Requires bright indirect light. An east-facing window or a few feet from a sunny window is ideal. Keep out of the direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves.
Money Tree
Care: Water once a week or when the soil is dry 3-4 inches down keeping the soil that is deeper moist. Mist your plant once a week.
Light: Indirect light is the preference of the money tree but will tolerate low light.
Pony Tail Palm (Elephant Foot Tree ~ Bottle Palm Tree)
Care: This plant trunk has a bottom bulb shape that is used to store water. They love to be root bound so do not re-pot this plant often and when you do only re-pot in a 1 -2 inches bigger than what it is in. Dry out the soil completely between watering's.
Prayer Plant (Rabbit’s Tracks)
Care: Use well drained soil keeping the soil moist but not soggy during spring to fall. Do not let the plant sit in water. This plant likes the humidity so a tray of pebbles with water underneath will be good along with daily misting. During the winter the soil should be drier but the humidity should be the same.
Light: The prayer plant does best in bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.
Light: The prayer plant does best in bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.
Spice Orchid
Care: Use a orchid potting soil mix for the spice orchid. This plant likes to have moist soil and moderate humidity.
Light: Prefers moderate to high indirect light.
Spider Plant (Airplane Plant)
Care: Spider plants like moist well drained soil but not soggy as they can develop root rot. They do prefer to dry out between waterings and enjoy the cooler temperatures. The plants are quite tolerate though.
Light: Bright indirect light.
Light: Bright indirect light.
String of Pearls (Secenio Rowleyanus)
Care: Well drained soil like cactus mix works well for this plant. The soil should be completely dried out between waterings. The little pearls store water so make sure you do not over-water this plant.
Light: Bright indirect light.
Swedish Ivy
Care: These plants like to be root bound and moist soil. Only slightly dry out soil between waterings and during the winter only allow the top inch dry out.
Light: Requires bright indirect light with a few hours of direct light per day otherwise the plant becomes leggy in its growth.
Velvet Plant
Care: Keeping the soil moist in dry conditions but never water on top of the leaves or mist even if they wilt since this will cause fungal infection of your plant. If your leaves are wilted just water your plant and they should perk back up.
Light: These plants do best in bright light and love to sit in a sunny window. If they leaves become scorched use less sun during the day. The leaves develop a nice deep colour with lots of light.
Light: These plants do best in bright light and love to sit in a sunny window. If they leaves become scorched use less sun during the day. The leaves develop a nice deep colour with lots of light.
Venus Fly Trap
Care: Using only distilled, deionized, or rainwater to hydrate your Venus Fly Trap. Tap water has stuff like chlorine and salts that can build up and eventually cause your plant to become sick or die. During the growing season you want to make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. You can either water from the top or from the bottom but be careful with watering from the bottom.
Light: These plants require 12 hours light and at least 4 hours of direct light during the growing period (April-October).
Light: These plants require 12 hours light and at least 4 hours of direct light during the growing period (April-October).
Wandering Jew
Care: Keep the soil slightly moist but be careful not to water directly on the plant or close to the stems to prevent rot. Make sure that in the winter the plant soil does not dry out too much. These like to be misted often.
Light: They like a bright indirect light but if your leaf markings are fading then you need more light.
You definitely have a lot of choices for plants in your house and some pretty unique looking ones too.
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