Pet parents and plant parents are often one and the same. But how do you know what plants are safe for your beasts? Below we give you some recommendations on non-toxic plants to spruce up your home while also keeping your beast safe!

BABY'S TEARS

About:  Baby’s Tears, commonly used in terrariums and hanging pots, make great house decorations! Baby's Tears resemble a thick, dense mat of lush green leaves. They also thrive in humidity – which is something to keep in mind.

Difficulty:  Baby’s Tears are good for beginner plant parents. While this plant may look delicate, it is actually pretty resilient.

Light Requirements:  When planted indoors, Baby’s Tears requires bright, filtered light. But be careful, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Baby’s Tears also grow well under artificial light if that is a better fit for you.

Water:  Baby’s Tears need a lot of water, as they react quickly to lack of water. Still avoid overwatering as that can lead to root rot!

VENUS FLY TRAP

About:  The Venus Fly Trap is great for those edgy plant owners. And surprisingly, this carnivorous plant is not toxic for our beasts! The “trap” of the Venus Fly Trap is a modified leaf that produces nectar to draw insects in. The plant then closes around the insect and digests it using specific enzymes.

Difficulty:  The Venus Fly Trap is surprisingly low-maintenance. It is not hard to take care of; however, it does require different conditions than most houseplants – including distinctive sunlight and water needs. It also requires more acidic soil.

Light Requirements: The Venus Fly Trap requires 12 hours of direct sunlight.

Water: The Venus Fly Trap requires more water than more houseplants. The soil should always be damp and should not dry out. Only use distilled water or rainwater for your Venus Fly Trap as chlorine and dissolved minerals can damage the plant.

ORCHID

About:  Orchids are a classic. Beautiful, aromatic, and pet-safe?! What could be better! Orchids also can have a really long lifespan and may even outlive their owner.

Difficulty:  Although Orchids do have a reputation for being difficult, they are typically easy if you follow all guidelines.

Light Requirements:  To successfully care for an Orchid, avoid direct light, heat or chill. Bright, indirect light is ideal. Orchids also do best in mild temperatures – not too hot, not too cold.

Water:  Orchids need little water and should typically be watered about once a week. It’s better to underwater than overwater – overwatering is one of the leading causes of Orchid death. A typically rule of thumb with Orchids – if you’re not sure if it needs water, wait a day.

PONYTAIL PALM

About:  A Ponytail Palm is about to be your cats new best friend – they will spend hours swatting the long leaves of this sturdy tree. A Ponytail Palm is not actually a palm. It’s more closely related to a lily but it safe for beasts! Don’t expect this plant to double in size overnight – they tend to grow very slowly.

Difficulty:  Ponytail Palms are relatively easy to care for with the right amount of sun. Requirements for this plant are similar care to that of a succulent. They are also good for frequent travelers as they are relatively low maintenance.

Light Requirements:  Ponytail Palms do require full sun so you should find the sunniest spot you can. Bright, indirect light will work too but your plant may not grow as fast.

Water: You should typically water your Ponytail Palm every one to two weeks, closer to the two week mark. Again, the amount of water is similar to how you would water a succulent.

ECHEVERIA

About:  Echeveria are pet-safe succulents! They are also easy to propagate - meaning you can use a leaf from the Echeveria to grow a separate plant.

Difficulty:  Succulents are notoriously easy to grow and the Echeveria is no exception. They are low-maintenance, and they prefer to be left alone (similar to many cats we know).

Light Requirements:  An Echeveria requires bright, direct light for 4-6 hours a day.

Water:  It is better to underwater an Echeveria versus overwatering. Wait for the soil to be completely dry and then water a generous amount.

POLKA DOT PLANT

About:  The Polka Dot Plant adds the perfect pop of color to any home. This petite plant is known for the splashes of pink and white on its leaves. They also look great in terrariums!

Difficulty:  Polka Dot Plants are relatively easy to grow. The most difficult part of owning a Polka Dot Plant is finding the balance of water your plant requires.

Light Requirements:  Polka Dot Plants prefer filtered sun or part shade. Ultimately, bright indirect light is ideal. Too much sun or light can damage the bright colors of this plant.

Water:  It is recommended to not let the soil of a Polka Dot Plant dry out completely; however, it also should not be overwatered. Wait until the top layer of soil is dry to water your Polka Dot Plant.

HERB GARDEN

About: What’s better than a plant you can cook with? Many herbs, such as basil, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley, are safe for both dogs and cats.

Difficulty: Not only is an herb garden simple to grow – it’s also useful! While each herb may require individualized care, they are all relatively easy to grow.

Light Requirements: Typically, herbs do require a substantial amount of light; however, you can also look for herbs that require less direct light. Most herbs require 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If this is not possible, consider investing in a LED grow light.

Water: Water your herb garden about once a week. If you are planting an herb garden in which all herbs are in the same container, make sure they all require a similar amount of water.
 
When adding a plant to your family, be sure to check if it is toxic to your pets. While plants on this list are non-toxic for your beast, they should still not be ingested. 

If your beast does ingest a toxic plant, contact the Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.