If you are unsure of a new plant to see if it’s toxic to our furry friends go to https://www.aspca.org andhttps://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/protect-your-pooch-from-poisonous-plants/
These pass as safe:
- African Violet – beautiful but a bit fussy, needs careful watering and bright but indirect light.
- Sweetheart Hoya – Heart-shaped leaves and can go two or three weeks without water.
- Cast Iron plant (even good for those with a “brown thumb”) – tolerates a wide range of conditions.
- Watermelon Peperomia – don’t overwater and it doesn’t mind crowded roots.
- Burros Tail – drought tolerant. Unique stems trail down with plump leaves but don’t handle too much or they will fall off.
- Purple velvet plant – thrives in high humidity and brick but indirect light. Think in the bathroom.
- Zebra plant – pretty tolerant of neglect and likes bright, indirect light. Propagates on its own.
- Parlor palm – tolerates low light and best in controlled temps but other than that, it’s low maintenance. Can grow to 4 feet.
- Rattlesnake plant – a little trickly but rewarding. Likes moist soil but not too much as leaves will yellow. Leaves open in morning and fold in evening.
- Christmas cactus – can achieve vibrant color but needs 12+ hour of darkness in fall and early winter with drier soil and cooler temps, to achieve full blooming.
Even more:
Bunny Ear Cactus
Lipstick plant
American rubber plant
Nerve plant
Kentia palm
Mexican hens-and-chicks
Here are some toxic to pets, especially dogs:
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Philodendron (bipinnatifidium)
ZZ Plant
Aloe Vera
Bird of Paradise
Dumb Cane (dieffenbacia)
Sago Palm
Peace Lily
Alocasia
Sometimes pets, especially cats, like to nibble on green things. A few pieces of citrus such as lemon or orange peel placed in the pot might have enough strong smell to keep them away