Furry Friends & Leafy Companions: Pet-Safe Plant Tips

Whether you’re a pet parent looking to add some greenery to your home or a plant lover thinking of welcoming a furry friend, we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ll share some tips, tricks, and a handful of pet-safe plants that will let you enjoy the best of both worlds.

Cats vs Dogs

You might wonder whether cats or dogs are “better” with plants, but it really depends on their personality. As a cat parent myself, my mischievous kitty has (thankfully) learned to leave my plants alone. That said, anything with grassy leaves is still fair game for a nibble!

If your pet does chew on a houseplant, the most common result is usually just a bit of stomach upset, like vomiting or diarrhoea. But if you’re ever unsure or your pet seems unwell after eating a plant, it’s always best to call your vet for advice.

The good news is that most houseplants don’t actually taste very nice to pets, so they’re often ignored. Still, it’s essential to know that certain plants are highly toxic. For cats, especially, members of the allium family (such as onions, garlic, and chives) and peace lilies are toxic. If you have peace lilies at home, it’s safest to remove them altogether if you share your space with curious pets.

Using Height to Your Advantage

One of the easiest ways to keep plants safe from pets is to use height. Plant stands, tall shelves, or hanging planters can all help keep tempting leaves out of reach.

With cats, I’ve found that making a shelf feel “un-jumpable” (by filling it with books, objects, or plants close together) works wonders. If it looks like too much effort, they’ll often leave it be. Dogs are usually easier; if it’s above nose level, it’s out of reach!

Treating Plants Safely

If your plants ever come down with pests, stick to pet-safe treatments. Avoid harsh chemicals and opt for alternatives like SB Invigorator or horticultural soap, which are safe to use around animals. We’ve written a comprehensive pest care blog if you’d like to dive deeper into this topic; you can read it here.

Our Favourite Pet-Safe Plants

Want greenery you can relax about? Here are five of our top picks for pet-safe plants:

Purple Passion (Gynura aurantiaca) – with its soft, velvety purple leaves, this one’s a real showstopper.

Asplenium (Bird’s Nest Fern) – a lush fern with bright green, wavy leaves.

Maranta (Prayer Plant) – famous for folding its patterned leaves up at night.

Hoya (Wax Plant) – trailing vines and starry flowers make this a collector’s favourite.

Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy) – an easy-going trailing plant that adds texture and volume.