Toxic Houseplants That Are Unsafe For Pets

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Houseplants are an excellent choice to decorate a space and add a natural element to any room. Plants give off soothing vibes and are known to alleviate symptoms of stress. Houseplants also clean the air and can boost your mood. However, some houseplants aren’t safe if you have pets. Let’s look at what toxic houseplants you might want to avoid if you have furry friends in your home. 

Snake Plant

Snake plants are pretty, tall plants with a yellow border around the leaves. They are a staple in home décor and go with everything. With this said, Snake plant contains significant levels of calcium oxalate crystals which can cause drooling, vomiting and burning of the mouth in animals. So, if you have pets, you might want to consider buying a fake one of these. Luckily, there are some pretty good knock-offs that could pass as natural plants…we won’t tell if you don’t!

Lilies

There are a variety of different Lilies out there, although the most popular of them all would probably have to be Peace Lilies and Calla Lilies. Unlike some other houseplants out there, lilies need more maintenance since they are usually kept outside. If you do decide own Lilies as houseplants, keep them far away from your pets. Lilies are one of the most poisonous plants if you have cats. Even licking their leaves can cause their kidneys to fail and die. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is possibly the most common house plant. With Aloe curing many ailments, from sunburns to tummy aches, it’s the most versatile plant. It’s beautiful, easy to care for and resilient to most climates. Aloe Vera can heal burns, improve digestion and clear up human acne. Unfortunately, it does not have the same effect on animals. After ingesting this plant, vomiting, sluggishness and diarrhea are common side effects of animals. 

Succulents

Succulents are the cutest little plants that can be made into little arrangements for décor purposes. They can also be used as isolated décor. Succulents are also a versatile house plant that would make a great addition to any color scheme or theme of any home.

Fortunately, not all succulents are poisonous to your fur babies, but there are a few that you should watch out for. Jade plants are supposed to be considered lucky, but they are not when it comes to being around animals. The pencil cactus, crown of thorns and euphorbia should all be avoided if you have pets. They have poisonous properties that will make cats and dogs have stomach issues and irritate their eyes and skin. 

Keep Out

Although there are some plants out there that are harmful to pets, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of plants out there that are safe for your cat or dog. You could buy roses, cactuses or rosemary to ensure your pet stays out of them. You can feel rest assured that the thorns will keep them out of the roses and cacti!

Perhaps you already have one of these plants and didn’t realize they were poisonous. If so, no worries. You can try numerous methods to keep your pet out of your plants. Cayenne pepper is an excellent deterrent. The pungent aroma will keep them away when sprinkled on leaves of houseplants. If you own a cat and they like to use your plants as a litter box, place big rocks on top of the soil to keep them away. Also, foil or pinecones can also be used. 

Options

It can be frustrating when your animals won’t stay out of your houseplants. They are your babies, too; you want to protect them both. It’s relieving to know that you have options. You can try methods to keep your plants safe from animals and vice versa. You have an arsenal of knowledge to plant shopping now with peace of mind that the plants you purchase won’t harm your fur babies.