These Indoor Plants Are Safe For Your Dogs

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Indoor plants can bring so much life into a room — and if you’ve been spending a lot more time at home, you’re likely one of the many people who’ve started buying houseplants compulsively.

But before building your own indoor jungle, it’s important to remember that not all houseplants are safe for your dog — and if you have a pup who loves chewing plants, you need to keep that top of mind when shopping for greenery.

The Dodo spoke to Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian working with SpiritDog Training, to find out more about indoor plants and which ones can safely coexist with your pup.

Why is it important to have dog-friendly indoor plants?

There are so many different types of houseplants out there that make a wonderful addition to any home and brighten up a room in an instant. Unfortunately, if you have a very curious pup, you’ll have to be selective about which plants you keep in your home (or at the very least make sure you keep the toxic ones out of your pup’s reach).

“[Plants] are often given as gifts, so sometimes we don’t always get a say in what enters our home!” Dr. Wigfall told The Dodo. “However, there are some plants that are toxic to dogs.”

Since some plants are toxic, it’s important to know the signs to look out for in case your pup has ingested a toxic plant.

“The signs can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea (plants such as aloe vera) to seizures, coma and death if enough of very toxic plants (such as the foxglove) are eaten,” Dr. Wigfall said.

Common plants toxic to dogs

In order to keep your pup safe, it’s a good idea to know some of the most common plants that are toxic to dogs:

  • Aloe vera
  • Asparagus fern
  • Devils ivy
  • Dracaena (dragon tree)
  • Peace lily
  • Rubber trees
  • Sansevieria (Snake plant)

“When purchasing any plant for the home, remember to keep your plants out of reach of pets, and offer lots of more appealing toys and puzzles to keep your furry friend out of mischief!” Dr. Wigfall recommended.

How to find dog-friendly house plants

If you’re shopping for a new plant, always make sure you aren’t bringing home a plant that could potentially harm your pup.

“Garden center staff are usually a good source of knowledge, and if they are unsure, they will have someone they can contact to check,” Dr. Wigfall said. “The Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA list is another helpful tool if you think your animal may have eaten a toxic plant.”

Additionally, your veterinarian will be another invaluable resource to advise on pet-safe plants. “Whilst there are many articles and lists online detailing pet-safe plants, always cross-reference this with at least one other reputable source before purchasing the plant, as the consequences can be severe,” Dr. Wigfall said.

Best dog-safe house plants

Here are some of the best indoor plants that can safely coexist with your pup.
 

Majesty Palm Floor Plant
Plants.com

This plant grows into a sweeping arch. She requires bright, indirect sunlight and needs to be watered just once per week.

Thyme Plant
Plants.com

This plant needs to be watered just once every two weeks and requires six to eight hours of sunlight. A bonus is that you’ll never have to buy fresh thyme again.

Orchid
plants.com

This beautiful plant thrives in soft, indirect sunlight and just needs three ice cubes a week to truly shine.

Pilea Peperomioides Plant
Plants.com

Commonly known as the Chinese money plant, this easy plant only needs to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch.

Baby Rubber Plant
Plants.com

The rubber plant can tolerate less water, so it’s good if you tend to forget to water your plants. 

Pet Friendly House Plant Subscription Box
Amazon

This is a subscription service where you get a new 4-inch pet-friendly plant delivered to you each month. It’s just $15/month, and the plant you get will always be a surprise.

Prayer Plant
Plants.com

The prayer plant likes to drink a bit more than the others, so make sure her soil is evenly moist.

Spider Plant
Plants.com

This plant loves to dry out completely between waterings — and she thrives in bright light. (But watch her leaves because they can get a little sunburnt.)

Boston Fern
Plants.com

This sweet plant loves to be moist at all times — so don’t let her dry out! She’ll also love a good misting two to three times per week, which makes her awesome for humid bathrooms.

Olive Tree
plants.com

A showstopper, the olive tree loves hanging out in your sunniest places — and make sure you don’t keep the soil too wet (she loves some dry dirt!).

Money Tree Plant
Plants.com

The money tree loves drying out between waterings, and she thrives in bright, indirect light.