If you are like me, you have a few furballs running around the house. This also generally means that there is a lack of plant life in the house for fear of poisoning the animal when they inevitably get curious and decide to take a bite out of it. Well, I recently decided to do some research on different plants that are safe around the home for when the boys decide that greenery looks better than the treats or the food in their bowls.
Pet Safe Plants
I have two cats, which means they are going to be curious about everything they see, and they will eventually take a taste, but I did not want that to stop me from having plants to add a splash of color to the home. Since I have a more modern design with greys, blacks, and whites, the only real “color” splash I have in the house is red in some paintings and vases to really bring a pop into the room.
So, my concentration was on greens and yellows, as well as a little more red to make those paintings pop a bit more. This is what I found…
Rattlesnake Plant – first, it just sounds cool, so I had to get it. It is also an ideal plant for a table or countertop because it thrives when it is not in direct sunlight. If you can hold a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees, it will stay perfectly healthy. The plant will need watering when the top of the soil feels dry to your touch. That would also be a great time to give the leaves a quick spritz from a spray bottle.
Calathea Orbifolia – this is an ideal plant for the bedroom because it does not need direct sunlight and it loves humidity, so you don’t have to worry about running your humidifier during the winter. Now, I will admit, the leaves on this plant make it pretty tempting for the cats, so you are either going to have to train them to stay away or get ready to replace it if they feast on it. This plant cannot live in temperatures under 55 degrees or over 80 degrees, so keep that in mind for placement and care. This plant also requires regular watering, so it will need far more attention than the Rattlesnake Plant.
Gloxinia – This is just a stunning plant with a massive burst of red that will create some serious pop in the room (it also comes in pink, purple, and blue). The plant does need indirect sunlight and temperatures between 71 and 75 degrees, so if you like a colder home in the summer or are afraid to turn that heat on in the winter, this is not the plant for you. The soil must be kept moist and add some liquid plant food twice a month for best health.
Polka Dot Plant – I love this plant because you just don’t see it very often in homes, so it is a great conversation piece. The plant only grows to about 10 inches tall, so you can pretty much place it anywhere as long as there is a source of indirect sunlight. It should be kept in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees, which is normal for most homes. The soil should be kept relatively moist, and feed the plant during its growing season.
I hope these recommendations help, and I am sure we will explore this topic further in future posts.