Pet Safe Houseplants: Debunking Myths Around Flora & Fauna
Owning houseplants can be a little complicated for those of us with pets or children in the house. Is this plant toxic? And what happens if my pet (or child!) consumes it? Should I only have non-toxic plants in the house? These are questions that our customers ask all the time, and we’re excited to shed some light on myths around pets and plants, as well as share some of our best-selling pet-safe plants!
Pet Safe Houseplants
Before we get to which indoor plants are safe for pets, it’s important to understand the definition of “unsafe”. Many common houseplants are labeled as toxic to pets and humans, but that can be a bit misleading.
Why? That’s because most indoor plants that are not considered safe for pets will only cause minor irritation if consumed, and in the majority of cases, only if consumed in vast quantities. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center actually classifies houseplants into three groups based on their toxicity levels, which are outlined below.
The Monstera Deliciosa is a perfect example of a mildly toxic plant that is probably just fine to have in the home with pets.
Mildly toxic plants
Mildly toxic plants may cause minor irritation of the skin or mouth or gastrointestinal distress if consumed. Depending on your situation (i.e. older children, or a pet that seems uninterested in your houseplants), mildly toxic plants are probably just fine to have in the home.
A few plants that are mildly toxic include
Spider Plant
Moderately toxic plants
Moderately toxic plants can cause more severe gastrointestinal problems or skin irritation. That said, many toxic plants are also often unpleasant to taste, so even if your child or pet does eat or chew on a piece of the plant, they probably won’t consume much of it.
Some plants in this category include:
Jade plant
Highly toxic plants
Some plants can cause liver or kidney failure or even seizures, particularly in cats. There are not many common houseplants in this category, but one we often see is the Sago Palm.
Non-toxic plants
If for whatever reason you are worried about your pets or children consuming large amounts of indoor plants, your safest bet may be to avoid toxic plants all together (or place them out of reach). Below are some of our favorite easy to care for and 100% pet safe houseplants!
Parlor Palm
An instant miniature jungle, the adorable pet-safe Parlor Palm is also an excellent air-purifying plant.
Braided Money Tree
For those in search of a real indoor tree, the Braided Money Tree is not just pet-safe but also a bearer of good luck!
Cast Iron Plant
For a pet-friendly plant as hardy as it is beautiful, try the Cast Iron Plant (it gets its name for a reason!).
Calathea Medallion
A colorful member of the prayer plant family, the Calathea Medallion is a beautiful, pet-safe addition to any home. In fact, all prayer plants are considered pet-friendly!
Bird’s Nest Fern
Bright, low maintenance, and 100% non-toxic, the Bird’s Nest Fern is a leafy beauty that loves shade and plenty of humidity.
Kentia Palm
A true statement plant, pets will love living in their indoor jungle with the Kentia Palm.
This list is far from exhaustive, but we’ve found them to be some of the most popular pet safe houseplants among our customers. Find our full collection of pet friendly plants here.
The main takeaway
Just because a plant is toxic does not necessarily mean it’s dangerous, especially depending on who may or may not be chewing on them! All the same, stay on the safe side and always check first before introducing a new plant variety to your home.
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