Harmonious Living

As far as felines go, my cat, Dolly, is well behaved. She isn’t destructive, loves people and responds when I call for her. Still, she’s a cat, meaning she loves to test the boundaries and does so primarily by jumping on the coffee table despite my countless protestations.

Dolly doesn’t seem to care too much about the items on the table — or any other surface, for that matter — but I know while I’m away, the cat will play. So, I’m careful about the plants I bring into my home.

Doctor of veterinary medicine at Ox Bottom Animal Hospital Lauren Combs encourages all pet owners to be mindful about the plants they buy, as some will cause harm.

“A lot of plants can irritate the mucus membranes in the mouth,” Combs said. “So, chewing on the leaves may irritate the mouth, and your pets will start drooling.”

Some can also irritate the gastrointestinal lining, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. Others are more dangerous. Easter lilies, for example, can cause kidney failure in cats. And cats “definitely will chew on them,” Combs said. So, “No Easter lilies in the house.”

Sago palms, meanwhile, are highly toxic to dogs.

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Garsya

“If dogs eat or chew any part of the plant, they can get neurotoxicity and liver failure,” Combs said. 

Tulips and azaleas have also proven problematic for pets. Though they won’t lead to liver or kidney damage, they will cause digestive issues, so it’s best to leave them behind during your next shopping trip.

With all that said, plant lovers shouldn’t fret — Combs says there are plenty of nontoxic plants to enjoy.

“The feather palm is a very common plant they sell at places like Trader Joe’s, and they’re always a good price,” Combs said. “And they’re beautiful.”

Other pet-friendly options include Christmas cacti, African violets, ponytail palms, spider plants and many more.

Pet owners should note that even nontoxic plants may cause gastrointestinal upset in pets if consumed in large quantities. As such, Justin Mercer, dog owner and greenhouse manager at Tallahassee Nurseries, says it’s “always a good policy” to keep plants out of reach.

“I do this by putting my plants in my sunroom and shutting the door to keep the dogs out, but you can also do this by hanging your plants or putting them on a pedestal,” he advised.

Pet-Friendly Plants

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: ETanyeri

» The Christmas Cactus

There are three types of holiday cacti — Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Each cactus blooms around the holiday it’s named after.

So, Christmas cacti bloom in mid-winter near, you guessed it, Christmastime. Many often confuse Christmas cacti with Thanksgiving cacti. To spot the difference, Tallahassee Nurseries recommends looking at the stem segments. “Thanksgiving cacti typically have sharper serrations, whereas the Christmas cacti are more rounded,” they wrote in their online blog.

Photo by Unsplash: Abel Y Costa

» Spider Plants

Great for the novice plant owner, spider plants “thrive on neglect,” according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Named for its spider-like leaves, the spider plant grows rapidly, and its cascading leaves make it perfect for hanging baskets.

The spider plant isn’t just aesthetically pleasing — like many other houseplants, it also removes airborne pollutants from the air.

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Leisan Rakhimova

» African Violets

Did you know that African violets are among the few houseplants that bloom? They come in various colors and can even have variegation on their leaves.

“These easy-care plants like to be watered from the bottom,” Tallahassee Nurseries previously advised online. “So be sure to pick out a self-watering pot that makes general care a breeze.”

Photo by Unsplash: feey

» Ponytail Palms

Despite its appearance, the ponytail palm isn’t actually a palm — it’s a succulent. According to UF/IFAS, the plant gets its name from the “long, delicate leaves that drape over the branches, giving it a ‘ponytail’ effect.”

In its native environment, the ponytail palm can reach up to 30 feet tall. However, the plant usually maxes out at about 4 feet indoors.

» To find a complete list of nontoxic plants, consult the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) online poisonous plants guide at ASPCA.org.

Hookworm Prevention

Did you know that your plant obsession could increase your pet’s risk for hookworms? According to Dr. Lauren Combs, cats and dogs can pick up the intestinal parasite from potting soil. Fortunately, “as long as your pet is on a preventative dewormer every month, you’re usually okay,” she said. “That’s going to treat the animal even if they get into the potting soil.”