House plants are a sight to behold in our homes. Bringing the outside in can create a peaceful and tranquil environment across our rooms. That is, until a pet comes into the equation, and you have to decide between having a small jungle in your home and not.
You might be in the mood to increase the amount of greenery in your front room or add a pop of colour to your kitchen, and deciding on the next houseplant for your home can be an exciting time. Especially when the weather starts to improve, and you get that fresh feeling spring brings.
So you head to the local garden centre and peruse all the wonderful varieties on offer. Only to find that there’s no information on the safety of pets around these beautiful new plants.
If you’re a garden centre or you are a horticultural provider, please put pet safety labels on your information cards. It would be amazing.
What plants can I have with my pets?
I’ve spent a great deal of time researching which plants are safe and unsafe, and here I list a few of the most popular in our homes, but could be quite damaging for our pets.
This list is not going to have every single plant you can buy. Since there are thousands of plant species, it would be impossible to list them all. This list is for the most common houseplants you’ll typically find at home.
PEACE LILY, Spathiphyllum.
Toxic/Not safe
A large plant that has excellent white flowers can really brighten the room. A very easy plant to care for and can be a real focal point of any room. Unfortunately, though, this plant is toxic. So if you do bring this excellent plant home, keep it away from the reach of your dog or cat.
TRUE LILY, Lillium.
Very Toxic/Definitely not safe
Usually bought as cut flowers, beautiful it may be, but this plant must be kept out of reach of your cat or dog. Even a small amount can be devastating to your pet’s kidneys, and renal failure is a literal matter of time. Even the water from the plant sitting in it is highly toxic.
BUTTERFLY PLANT. Oxalis triangularis.
Toxic/not safe
This beautiful plant is rather unusual but is truly stunning. With big dark purple leaves and small pale-looking flowers, it brings lots of colour to our homes. The Oxalis Triangularis contains soluble calcium oxalates, which are poisonous to cats. While the naturally bitter taste often deters pets from eating large quantities, ingestion is still dangerous.
MONStERA – Monstera deliciosa.
Toxic/not safe
Often referred to as the Swiss cheese plant. This large-leaf, tall plant is a sight to have in your house with its broad, finger-like leaves resembling those of Swiss cheese. It is, however, toxic to pets. Seeing as this plant needs to be housed primarily on the floor for it to grow to its full height, it would be best to avoid it altogether unless you know you can keep your cat or dog away from it.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Toxic/not safe
A beautiful flowering plant that has bright, fantastic-looking flowers. There are many different species of chrysanthemums on the market, but there are unfortunately none that are safe for pets. These plants can cause a range of ailments that will need vet treatment immediately.
Orchids
Non-Toxic/generally safe
This might come with a sigh of relief, but Orchids are safe for cats and dogs in your house. I still would keep them out of reach from your little ones, as they might not agree with them digestibly, and you’ll be cleaning up after them, but in terms of toxicity, you’ll be fine to have this in your house.
Conclusion
Although there are ways to keep pets safe from houseplants, there are a few out there that can do real harm to your loved one. It is always best to err on the side of caution when deciding on which houseplants you want to bring home.
For more practical advice on creating a safe environment for your pets, browse our full selection of guides in the Everyday Care section.