Top Plants For The Home That Are Safe For Dogs
Plants are a great way to breathe life, clean air, and some natural color into your home. Some plants, however, can be quite harmful when consumed. If you have a dog, you need to consider which common houseplants are toxic to dogs and know the best non-toxic varieties if you are searching for the perfect houseplant.
If you want to bring a houseplant into your home and have a dog, consider orchids. They are a great flowering houseplant that is not harmful to dogs, as are African violets. Most succulents are safe, but remember, some are toxic. Christmas cactus is a great non-toxic holiday plant, and rosemary is a great fragrant plant. If you want a palm tree, consider an Areca or Ponytail palm.
The best houseplants will vary based on your taste, climate, and how much upkeep you can offer the plant. If you are also the owner of a curious pooch, then you need to pay particular attention to the toxicity in your houseplants. You only want to bring in plants that can’t harm your furry friend. If you are a dog owner searching for a houseplant, keep reading to learn more about the top houseplants that are non-toxic for dogs.
Top 13 Plants For The Home That Are Non-Toxic For Dogs
1. Orchids
Orchids are a fascinating and beautiful plant species. There are thousands of varieties of these blooming wonders, and there is at least one variety that can flourish in almost every climate. While some orchids can be a bit challenging to keep up with, there are lots of orchids that are easy to maintain.
Orchids also happen to be one of the least toxic plants to dogs that you can find. They are non-offensive and stunning. The fact that they come in so many colors and varieties makes them a perfect flowering plant for the home, especially if you own a dog.
2. Most Succulents
Succulents are wildly popular. They are cute, sometimes colorful, and require almost no upkeep or care. They can be added to rock gardens, and make great houseplants, as they can often go weeks without being watered.
If you have a dog, you might wonder if having succulents in the home is a good idea. The answer is that many succulent species are harmless and non-toxic to dogs. There are, however, several types that are toxic. Therefore make sure you choose a variety that will not be harmful to your dog.
3. Areca Palm
If you are a dog owner and are looking for a palm tree to grow inside your home, the Areca Palm is a great option for several reasons. For one, these palm trees are very easy to grow indoors. They require minimal attention, and can even withstand an occasional over-watering.
Also, not only are these plants not toxic to dogs, but they are very effective at removing toxins from the air. These plants make your air cleaner, and won’t harm your pet. This makes them a great choice for any dog owner looking to bring a tree into the home. Another palm tree option that is non-toxic for dogs is the Ponytail palm.
4. Christmas Cactus
There are several Christmas plants, including the poinsettia, that are very toxic to dogs. But if you are looking for a Christmas-themed plant and you are a dog owner, then you are in luck. The Christmas cactus is a lovely plant that tends to bloom colorful pink flowers around Christmas time.
For best results, place your Christmas cactus near a window to ensure it blooms during the holiday season. Best of all, you can rest assured that your dog will stay safe.
5. African Violets
If you are looking for a stunning purple flowering plant to add color and vibrancy to your home, then the African violet is a great option. African violets are fairly easy to care for, and great for the indoors. They love plenty of indirect sunlight, which works perfectly for most homes.
These plants bloom fairly consistently with lovely purple flowers, with proper care. Unlike some other flowering plants, African violets are pet-friendly.
6. Bromeliads
If you want a truly unique, funky, and tropical plant for your home look no further than bromeliads. There are thousands of types of these tropical pointed plants, with the pineapple being the most famous bromeliad. Many bromeliads adapt well to indoor conditions and are considered safe for dogs. With so many species, it is a good idea to confirm with your local horticulturalist that the bromeliad you like is non-toxic and easy to grow indoors.
7. Spider Plants
Spider plants are one of the most popular and easy-to-grow indoor houseplants. They are famous for their ability to self-propagate, and spread throughout an area of the home if you let them. Not only are spider plants safe for pets including dogs, but they are also natural air purifiers. They remove upwards of 95 percent of the toxins in the air, making them a great plant for those looking to naturally purify the air in their home.
8. Rosemary
If you are a fan of fresh herbs in the home, and who isn’t, but aren’t sure what is safe to have around pets, look no further than rosemary. Whereas plants of the onion family including chives and onions are very toxic for dogs, rosemary is perfectly safe if ingested in small amounts.
Small amounts of rosemary can offer heart and digestive support to your pooch, making it a great plant to keep around. It is also a fantastic herb to grow indoors for culinary purposes.
9. Swedish Ivy
If you are looking for an easy-to-maintain hanging plant for your home, but have a dog, then consider Swedish ivy. Picking the right hanging plant is tough when you have a dog, as curious pooches tend to nibble on the leaves.
Swedish ivy is perfectly safe for dogs, and better yet, it’s very easy to grow. It thrives in several types of soil, and can handle spells of over and under-watering.
10. Baby Rubber Plant
Another easy-to-grow and non-toxic plant that is worth bringing into your home with a dog is the baby rubber plant. The baby rubber plant is a small shrubby plant that grows upwards of 10 inches tall. This plant is easy to care for and is another great plant for natural colors and air purification. These plants are also safe to have around dogs.
11. Boston Fern
If you want to bring a fern into your home but aren’t sure which types are safe to have around dogs, then you should opt for a Boston fern. These are a resilient and hearty fern variety that offers plush greenery and acts as a great natural green accent to any room. They are easy to care for, grow indoors in many climates, and are perfectly safe to have around dogs.
12. Money Tree
Who doesn’t love a money tree? While this stunning tree does not grow actual dollar bills, it sure is an appealing plant to have in your home. These trees, when properly pruned reach upwards of 8 feet high. They like a fair amount of sun, making them a great tree to have by a sunny window. This is a great indoor tree that is not a palm tree but is safe to have around dogs.
13. Prayer Plant
If you want to add some zen into your home in the form of a plant, then a prayer plant is a good place to start. These plants get their name from the natural design on the leaves that looks similar to hands in prayer. These plants are great spiritual plants, and also fantastic decorations. They are low maintenance, come in various sizes, and are not harmful to your dog.
Concluding Notes On Indoor Plants Safe For Dogs
Choosing the right indoor plant for your space can be challenging. If you have a dog, then it can be even more difficult, as many popular plants are not safe for dogs, and can even be quite toxic. The good news is there are tons of beautiful and easy-to-care-for indoor plants that are also safe to have around dogs. Orchids, African violets, and Christmas cactus are all fantastic flowering plants that are safe to have around dogs. Areca and Ponytail palms are great palm trees to keep with a pooch. You can also opt for Swedish ivy or a lush Boston fern.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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