Safe Alternatives to Toxic Household Plants

Safe Alternatives to Toxic Household Plants

Spring is here! That means it’s time time to start working on your garden. Or maybe you’re more of an indoor plant enthusiast. Either way, the returning warmth means returning greenery. Unfortunately, not all of our favorite flowers and plants are pet-safe. But before you ban foliage from your house, why not consider these pet-safe alternatives to some of the biggest toxic offenders?

Friendly Flowers

Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Veterinary Appreciation Day fall in the spring. And flower bouquets are popular gifts. 

But some of the prettiest in the bunch pose risks of GI upset, tremors, changes in blood pressure, or permanent kidney damage.

You like the look of fresh blossoms around the house. And with these safe alternatives, you can have vibrant flowers that keep toxic plants OUT of the mix.

  • Lilies and pets DON’T mix. But orchids are a beautiful, SAFE choice.
  • Amaryllis aren’t good around cats and dogs. You’re better off with a polka dot plant.
  • Azaleas start blooming and causing problems in the spring. Choose African violets instead.
  • Tulips come in varieties of colors. But so do gloxinias - and they’re pet-safe.

Don’t Eat the Berries

Some toxic plants don’t have fancy blooms. Instead, they produce berries that cause problems. When animals take a nibble outside - or investigate plant decor around the house - that’s when trouble starts.

Some of our favorite berry-producing plants can lead to vomiting, heart failure, seizures, or worse (depending on the dose).

But you don’t need to sacrifice color or festive appeal. These pet-safe alternatives scrap the berries, not the beauty:

  • Mistletoe’s a BIG no-no. But the lovely Christmas cactus won’t harm your pets.
  • Holly’s bright red berries spell trouble. Decorating with silver berry instead will still keep your house festive.
  • Castor oil plants spell big trouble. But potting bromeliads won’t cause problems.
  • Yews look great in landscaping, but they’re toxic. Friendship plants are - well, friendlier.

Our Favorite (Toxic) Plants

Why are some plants fan favorites? They’re low-maintenance! But hardy natures can still mean trouble for pets.

Some of the most popular plants out there are VERY toxic. Even a quick nibble can land your pet in the ER with GI trouble, coordination problems, mouth irritation, or liver damage.

Good thing you have safe options that are still low-maintenance:

  • Sago palms are TOXIC. You’ll want to choose a parlor palm instead.
  • Pothos plants look dramatic, but they’re trouble. Peperomia look just as fancy without causing problems.
  • Jade’s a cinch to care for, but NOT safe. A money tree is the way to go.
  • Snake plants and pets mean potential issues. Opt for the safer spider plant.

Going Green - Safely

Plants around the house look - and smell - wonderful. And if you’re careful with your choices, you AND your pets will enjoy the greenery.

There’s no reason to avoid plants - as long as you choose safe options from the greenhouse.

Message your vet through the app if you aren’t sure about a plant’s safety. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.