While most pets have the instinct not to eat poisonous plants, both indoors and outdoors, not all our four-legged friends act with intelligence, and some young animals – especially puppies – chew everything in sight. For peace of mind, place toxic plants well out of reach of dogs, such as in hanging pots, atop cabinets, or on shelves. But, if you have an acrobatic cat that can reach all of those places or you want peace of mind that nothing in the house is poisonous, opt for plants that are 100% safe for animals. Here are some of the best pet-friendly houseplants:
For flowers
*Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) - In bloom over a long period in winter, this epiphyte is the easiest indoor orchid to grow. Hailing from damp tropical and subtropical Asia, they do well in bathrooms, in bright indirect light. Follow standard orchid care, including watering with rainwater, if possible.
*Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) - An explosion of magenta flowers over the festive period, these wonderful cacti fill the house with colour. In the wild, they thrive in damp Brazilian forests and thus enjoy bright, indirect light and humidity. If their seasonal care routine is followed, they are easy to grow.
For bright sun
*Donkey's tail (Sedum morganianum AGM) - This easy Mexican succulent sends out fleshy lengths of green-blue leaves, making it perfect for a suspended container. One of the few houseplants that enjoys the sunshine of a south or west-facing windowsill and low humidity. Water when the compost is dry.
*Hen 'n' chicks (Echeveria) - These small succulents grow in snug rosettes of leathery leaves. Plant individually in little pots or plant several of different colours together. Hailing from South American desert terrain, they thrive in bright light, low humidity, and warmth. Water when the upper compost feels dry.
For hanging pots
*Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans AGM) - This trailing epiphyte from the damp forests of Malaysia appreciates bright indirect light in a bathroom that is kept over 18°C, where it will produce vivid-red summer flowers. From spring to autumn, keep the soil moist (not waterlogged) and feed monthly.
*String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata) - The little, shiny green leaves of this trailing epiphyte are marked like a turtle's shell. Native to the moist forests of Ecuador, it is ideal for a hanging pot in a bathroom or kitchen with bright indirect light. Water when the compost feels moist; feed in summer.
For bathrooms
*Air plants (Tillandsia) - Almost otherworldly, these fascinating silver-leaved plants from South America grow and bloom without any soil by absorbing nutrients and moisture in the air. Therefore the humidity of a kitchen or bathroom is vital. Place in bright indirect light, and water by regular soaking immersions.
*Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) - So-called because its beautifully painted leaves fold in at night, like hands in prayer, this evergreen from the wet tropics of Brazil enjoys bright indirect light, warmth, and humidity. A pet-friendly houseplant, it is best to keep its compost moist (not waterlogged) during the growing season with filtered water or rainwater.
For low to medium light
*Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa AGM) - A Chinese palm with bamboo-like stems and blunt-ended dark-green leaves. Architectural and not widely grown, it will (slowly) grow to 3-metres tall. Fond of low to bright indirect light and the humid atmosphere of a bathroom or kitchen. Water when the compost feels dry.
*Bear's foot fern (Humata tyermannii AGM) - Easy and unusual, this lush green fern unfurls from furry rhizomes that hang over the edge of the pot. An epiphyte from tropical China, it enjoys humidity and medium to bright filtered light, but tolerates shade. Water when the compost feels dry; feed in spring.
For size
*Mexican fortune tree (Pachira aquatica) - This tree with large, glossy leaves is usually sold with multiple stems plaited togther to form a standard. It can reach 20 metres in its native Mexico; 3 metres here. From the wet tropics, it likes humidity and medium to bright filtered light. Water when the compost feels dry.
*Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans AGM) - Ubiquitous, but a leafy, low-maintenance stalwart that can grow to 2 metres in a wide range of conditions, including low temperatures and low light. Keep away from radiators, water when the top of the compost is dry, and either sit in a humid room or mist regularly.
For scent
*Wax flower (Hoya carnosa AGM) - This Asian climbing epiphyte is perfect for a hanging pot in a bathroom. In spring and summer, its ballet-pink flowers drip with nectar in the mornings and release sweet scent at night. Place in bright indirect light and water regularly in the growing season, less in winter.
*Fishbone cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger) - Unlike most cacti, the epiphytic species from the jungles of Mexico relishes the moist air of a bathroom or kitchen with medium to bright indirect light, where it may produce its dazzling night-blooming scented flowers. Water when the compost feels dry; feed in spring.
Safety note: Whilst all the plants mentioned here will not harm pets, if ingested by mistake, it's not wise to actively feed them to animals.
