Green Living: 5 House Plants That Are Safe For Cats And Dogs

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Nothing says spring more than filling your home with fresh flowers and plants. However, for us pet owners we have to think twice before bringing plants into our homes. Many plants can be toxic to pets while others require too much maintenance. Here are some of the safest and easiest plants to own for us busy pet parents.

Spider plants

These plants can be found at your local grocery or hardware stores. These are considered one of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow. This plant can grow in a wide range of conditions and suffers from few problems, other than brown tips. The spider plant is so named because of its spider-like plants which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web.

Areca Palm

These are the most commonly found type of indoor palms. A key factor in successfully growing areca palm trees indoors is providing just the right amount of light. They need bright, indirect light from a south- or west-facing window. These plants are easy to care for and only require enough water to keep the soil lightly moist in spring and summer.

Bamboo

These plants are an important part of feng shui, said to bring good luck and fortune. Bamboo plants do not take a great deal of time or energy to care for. Most bamboo requires at least six hours of direct sun per day. If possible, bring your potted bamboo outside for a bit to get direct light from the sun, and to get a shower to help wash off any dust and bug intruders.

Boston Ferns

In the right conditions, these plants allow for hands-off maintenance. Boston ferns do well in high humidity with indirect light, and for that reason, so they are perfect for hanging in your bathroom to ensure they get the humidity they need.

African violet

If you’re looking for easy-to-grow houseplants that have ever-blooming, pet-friendly flowers, then African violets are the perfect addition to your home. They need to be kept in a warm location where they get plenty of light. Allow soil around roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming.