From uplifting and energizing plants to cuddly therapy pets, this past year saw a great increase in both plant sales and pet adoptions to inspire brighter days. If you live in a home with beautiful greens and a fur baby, it is important to be confident that you have created a safe and healthy environment for everyone. As both plant and pet lovers, your friends here at Gordon Boswell, your favorite Fort Worth florist, are sharing the best pet-friendly plants to fill your home. Check out the list below to see if an old favorite or a new favorite plant captures your attention.

Safe Plants for Pets

Ponytail Palm

If your four-legged fur baby enjoys swatting or chewing your ponytail just as much as playing with their own toys, it is best to display this draped-leaf palm in a tall pot or on a high shelf. As its bulb-like trunk creates an eye-catching feature, this air purifying plant is commonly referred to as a “bottle palm tree” or “elephant foot tree.” To keep its curly leaves thriving and flourishing, ensure your ponytail palm is positioned to receive little water and an abundance of bright sunlight.

Haworthia / Echeveria

In case you are looking for a way to ditch your faux succulents without sacrificing the low maintenance or safety of your pets, haworthia and echeveria are the way to go. Display them alone for a minimalist look or pair them together to create a cute cluster. Unlike aloe plants, haworthia and echeveria are perfectly safe for dogs and cats. Display them in a brightly lit area and ensure they have access to water and ample soil drainage so they can survive and thrive

Watermelon Peperomia

Another way to help rid the air of toxins in a way that is also non-toxic to dogs and cats is by hanging a brilliant watermelon peperomia in your home. As you might have guessed based on its name, the vivid green leaves of this plant present a wonderful pattern of texture and color that mimics the rind of a watermelon. Watermelon peperomia are low maintenance and thrive best with occasional water and indirect sunlight. Add one to your houseplant collection or home décor for a little summer fun.

Orchid

Since orchids come in many varieties and an array of colors, this opens up multiple doors for pet parents to find the perfect one to seamlessly fit into their plant collection and home decor. Orchids add a brilliant pop of color to any room as well as an uplifting burst of energy. As they continue to bloom for weeks in a partially lit environment, you want to ensure you are properly managing their water intake and your furry companion can peacefully coexist among these fascinating blooming plants.

Herbs

While some herbs, like parsley, are harmful to dogs and cats, pet parents should always err on the side of caution when it comes to which herbs you decide to grow in your home. However, there is a selection of herbs that are not only safe for our four-legged pals to snack on but provide natural beauty and fresh fragrances. These include sage, thyme, rosemary, and basil. Create an invigorating display space near a large window in your kitchen so they can soak up plenty of sunlight.

Signs of Poisoning in Pets

Even as we do our best to ensure the safety of our pets and steer them away from harmful plants, accidents can still happen. If your fur baby exhibits signs of poisoning like vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, drooling, lethargy, or bleeding gums, immediately reach out to your trusted veterinarian, poison control, or the closest animal hospital. You can also find a full list of toxic plants to pets, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website.