If you live with animals, it’s essential to make sure the plants in your home are safe. When decorating with greenery, look for varieties that are non-toxic and easy to grow. Here are a few popular pet-friendly houseplants that are great for homes with cats or dogs.
5 Pet-Friendly Houseplants to Add Color to Your Home
1. Peperomia Argyreia
All Peperomias are non-toxic to cats or dogs. Any Peperomia you bring into your home is considered safe. However, one that is recommended is the Peperomia argyreia, also known as the Watermelon Peperomia. Peperomia argyreia is easy to find in garden centers and easy to grow at home. The plant is small, only growing to around 12 inches tall.
Watermelon Peperomia prefers bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry to the touch before watering again. Overwatering is a common issue with Perperomias and can lead to mold growth. These plants don’t like being root-bound, so you’ll probably need to move it to a larger container every 2 or 3 years.
2. Pilea Cadierei
The Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei) is easy to find and grow in your home. This plant prefers at least four hours of bright, indirect light and a sandy soil mixture. It needs average humidity and may need to be misted with water during the winter if the inside of the home is dry. This attractive plant has silver patterns on the leaves. You can prune the leaves to encourage a bushy growth habit.
3. Hoya Obovata (Wax Plant)
Hoyas, in general, are not hard to find. However, the Hoya obovata is a unique variety. It is remarkably easy to grow, so we’ve included it on this list. This plant flourishes in medium and bright indirect light, making it suitable for most households. It prefers a temperature range of 60 – 85 degrees and average humidity. Only water the Hoya obovata when the top surface of the soil is dry to the touch.
4. Cissus Rhombifolia
The Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) is not the easiest houseplant to find, but they are well worth having in your home. This plant shares similarities with a grapevine, which gives it a nice aesthetic appeal. Grape Ivy is attractive in hanging baskets because of its trailing and climbing habit. It prefers bright light (though it is tolerant of lower light conditions) average humidity, and the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings.
5. Pilea Peperomioides is One of the More Common Pet-Friendly Houseplants
This plant is commonly known as the Chinese Money plant and the Friendship plant. It is effortless to grow if you have enough light available in your home. Related to the Aluminium plant, pileas are easy to propagate. It grows best in bright, indirect light and slightly damp soil with good drainage.
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