Safe vs. Toxic Plants for Pets

With summer coming up quickly, I thought I would put together a list of safe plants for your pets. I’ll also let you know which ones to steer clear of. There are a surprising amount of house plants that you will want to avoid buying if you have animals in the home.

My friend, Summer, is a plant connoisseur, so I reached out to her before starting this blog post. She runs the cutest plant Instagram - @summbuddies - where she posts beautiful pics of all her plants. Make sure to give her a follow! Her posts will truly brighten your day. When it comes to plants she says, “My biggest tip for plant lovers with curious fur friends is to grow some wheatgrass indoors! It will act as a distraction from common toxic houseplants, such as Pothos, Dieffenbachia, and Aloe Vera. It will also aide in your pet’s digestion, blood flow, and detoxification since it is packed with vitamins and minerals. Also, propping your houseplants up with cute macrame hangers are a life saver and super trendy right now too.”

1.Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens) - They do best in bright, indirect lighting. Main rule: Don't overwater.

2. Blue Echeveria - Easy to grow succulent. Name means, "blue bird." Main rule: Never let it sit in water, as this can cause it to rot.

3. Hens and Chicks - Did anyone else grow these in grade school? These succulents require full sun. Main rule: Rarely water.

4.. Cast Iron Plant - Extremely hardy plant that is easy to take care of. Great for those who forget to take care of their plants. Main rule: This plant can handle not being watered often, but make sure to water it during very dry periods. 

5. Spider Plant - Easy to care for. Perfect for gardeners who are just starting out. Main rule: Provide them with indirect, bright sunlight and well-drained soil.

1. Split Leaf Philodendron - You may not recognize the name of this one, but you will most likely recognize it to see it. These leaves have been hugely popular the past couple of years. Make sure you keep them away from pets should you choose to use some for decoration.

 2. Aloe Vera - This is a very common plant to have in the home. It has wonderful healing properties, but can be very dangerous for your pets. 

3. Birds of Paradise - One of my favourite classes in high school was Horticulture, and I still remember the day we were shown this plant. It is one of the most stunning and unique flowers you will ever see; however, it will cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness in cats, dogs, and horses. 

4. Lily - This is an important one to note since it is so common. It is also prominent in most floral arrangements for sympathy and bereavement, so keep this in mind if you are sending flowers to someone. You are usually able to ask that they be excluded from the bouquet. 

5. Fiddle Fig Leaf - Fig leaf trees are a beautiful addition to the home, but this one is toxic to cats and dogs. It can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

These are only a few of the safe/toxic plants for pets. I chose the ones I thought were the most common. For a full list of plants and whether they are toxic or non-toxic, visit the ASPCA's comprehensive list of plants. If your pet gets into a plant, always check to see if it is deemed a toxic plant. Consult your vet immediately if you think your pet may be sick.