Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Safe houseplants for our furry friends
We know houseplants are a great addition to our homes aesthetically, and they also clean the air of some rather toxic chemicals and produce oxygen. Unfortunately, many common houseplants can still be toxic for pets, and some are downright deadly. Here are some pet friendly houseplants that won’t make your pets ill if they happen to be curious and take a bite. Many are also easy for those of us not born with a green thumb!
Rattlesnake plants have interesting variegated green leaves with purple undersides. They grow great in low light and in loose, fast draining soil. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer. Water when soil is dry to the touch and spritz if leaves are looking dry.
Parlor palms are nice full plants with many thin stalks and slim pointed leaves. They only need a few hours of indirect sunlight. They are naturally slow growers and will take several years to reach 3 or 4 feet tall. Keep them out of direct sunlight and keep their soil evenly moist.
Spider plants are excellent for cleaning the air and are incredibly resilient. They love low light conditions and temperatures between 60-80 degrees. Direct sunlight burns their leaves, and cats especially love batting the babies, so maybe consider hanging them up.
Ponytail palms are especially good for novice plant owners. They don’t need much water and only need to be fertilized 2-3 times per year. They grow from a rather thick based center stalk and have long curling leaves. They do need direct sun but, unlike most, thrive on benign neglect.
Boston ferns are another plant that needs little maintenance and is also beautiful. Fertilize every two months and keep in a cool place with indirect light. They do however need high humidity, so keep their pot in a tray filled with pebbles and water. Mist them twice a week and keep their soil moist.
Polka dot plants are so pretty with their green leaves and pink dots. They only grow to about ten inches, so they are good for small spaces. They love bright, indirect light and rather warm temperatures of 70-80 degrees. Feed monthly during the growing season and keep moderately moist.
Bromeliad plants will give a tropical vibe to any open area with plenty of air flow and indirect light. They have blooms that will last a few months. Thoroughly water every one to two months, but also mist them often, especially in winter as they need humidity.
The date palm is not only pet friendly and easy to care for, it will become the focal point in any room you choose. It needs bright, indirect sunlight. Keep it on the drier side and don’t overwater.
Herbs like basil, rosemary and thyme are great kitchen herbs and are totally safe for pets to snack on. They love direct light, so a bright kitchen window is good. Water them regularly and harvest often.
Friendship plants have velvety crinkled leaves, and their small growing habit makes them a good choice for a side table. They love moderate to bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry out in between waterings and keep drier in the winter.
Check out aspca.org and search toxic plants around pets for a list of plants to keep away from our furry friends.
Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago
