Certain plants can be harmful to your furry friends, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your dream of having an indoor oasis. There are plenty of pet-friendly houseplants that can add to the aesthetics of your home while ensuring the safety of your fur babies.

The Importance of Choosing Pet-Friendly Plants

While houseplants can bring many benefits, it's essential to remember that many common houseplants can be toxic to pets if ingested. Some plants contain chemicals that can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and even more severe health problems like kidney failure or liver damage in pets.

This is why it's so important to choose pet-friendly plants when decorating your home. These plants are non-toxic to pets, ensuring the well-being of your furry friends while still allowing you to enjoy the benefits of indoor plants. By choosing pet-safe plants, you can keep your pets safe and avoid potential health scares, all while enriching your living spaces with greenery.

But the benefits of pet-friendly houseplants don't stop at safety. Many of these plants are also great for improving indoor air quality. Plants are natural air purifiers, removing toxins from the air and releasing oxygen. This can contribute to a healthier environment for you and your pets.

Top Pet-Friendly Houseplants You Should Consider

Spider Plant: The spider plant is a popular choice among pet owners. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs and easy to care for. This plant can tolerate a variety of lighting conditions and occasional missed watering.

Areca Palm: Areca palm, also known as butterfly palm, is a pet-friendly plant that can add a tropical touch to your home. It's an excellent air purifier and can grow quite tall, making it a striking addition to any room.

Boston Fern: Boston ferns are non-toxic to pets and can add a touch of greenery to your home. They thrive in high humidity and indirect light, making them perfect for bathrooms or kitchens.

Swedish Ivy: This fast-growing, cascading plant is safe for pets and can be grown in hanging baskets or as a trailing plant on a shelf.

Golden Pothos: Also known as Devil's Ivy, this plant is a favourite among indoor gardeners. It's flexible with lighting and watering, and most importantly, it's safe for pets.

Remember, while these plants are considered non-toxic, it's always a good idea to prevent pets from eating any houseplants. Always supervise your pets around plants and provide them with plenty of their own toys and distractions.

Creative Ideas for Displaying Your Pet-Friendly Houseplants

Once you've chosen your pet-friendly plants, it's time to show them off. Here are a few creative ideas:

Hanging Baskets: Plants like the Swedish Ivy look beautiful in hanging baskets. They add height to your room and keep plants out of reach from curious pets.

Wall Mounted Planters: Wall-mounted planters can turn your plants into a living piece of art. They're also a great way to save floor space.

Terrariums: Small plants can be displayed in a terrarium, adding a touch of nature to your desk or a side table.

Plant Stand: A plant stand can showcase your plants without taking up too much space. It's also a great way to group different plants together for a lush, mini indoor garden look.

Where To Find Pet-Friendly Houseplants In New Zealand

If you're based in New Zealand, here are some local nurseries where you can find these pet-friendly houseplants:

Kings Plant Barn:

Kings Plant Barn has an extensive range of houseplants, including many of the pet-friendly options mentioned above. With several branches across Auckland, you're sure to find one near you.

Palmers Garden Centre:

This garden centre stocks a variety of pet-friendly plants. They also provide expert advice so you can choose the plants best suited to your home.

Oderings Garden Centre:

With a wide range of houseplants, Oderings Garden Centre is another great place to look for pet-friendly plants.

Common Household Plants That Are Dangerous to Pets

Lilies: For cats, all parts of the lily plant are toxic, including the flower, leaves, and pollen. They can cause kidney failure, and even small ingestions can result in severe poisoning.

Azaleas: These pretty flowering plants contain grayanotoxins, which can disrupt sodium channels affecting the skeletal and cardiac muscle. Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and in severe cases, weakness, low blood pressure, and seizures.

Jade Plant: Also known as the rubber plant, ingestion can result in vomiting, depression, ataxia (loss of coordination), and bradycardia (slow heart rate).

Philodendron: Commonly found in homes, these plants can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

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