Celebrate World Animal Day, October 4
It’s World Animal Day on October 4, and pet-friendly houseplants are a must if you love indoor gardening and your furry friends.
According to experts at The Joy Of Plants, these five pet-friendly plants are safe for dogs, cats, rabbits and birds who like a nibble on something green. You don’t have to have pets, as they look great in any room setting. They are very forgiving if you’re a forgetful gardener!
Pet-friendly houseplants – Cyperus (umbrella plant)
C. alternifolius is well known, but the cultivar Zumula is also suitable as a pet-friendly plant. It’s also known as dwarf papyrus, growing to 75cm and needs plenty of water – in fact, it is often sold as a plant suitable for the edges of indoor ponds, so overwatering won’t be a problem.
Beaucarnea recurvata (ponytail palm or elephant’s foot plant)
The ponytail palm (it’s not a palm at all) is an odd plant, with a bulbous trunk and leaves that curl backwards from the top, hence the name. The swollen trunk stores water, and it’s a slow grower, but can reach 2m – give it a couple of decades!
You can sometimes find the young tuberous variety, called Nolina. The trunk and tuber can stand up to cats – to them, it’s an irresistible scratching post, and they often have a go at the leaves.
Pet-friendly houseplants – Chlorophytum (spider plant)
A plant that’s back in fashion from the doldrums. C. comosum, with its variegated fronds (leaves), has a few similar cultivars. You’ll probably see the variety Variegatum most of the time. Comosum means ‘crested’ and refers to the crests which are found on the plant’s runners.
Bamboo
Not usually associated with being grown indoors, but Bambusa vulgaris, with sturdy yellow canes (technically culms), is the best candidate.
Pet-friendly houseplants – Cat grass
Hordeum (cat grass) is like a mini field of barley in a pot, container or bowl. It grows upwards in a compact way and provides house cats with folic acid.
How to look after pet-friendly houseplants
- All of these plants like a position between light and partial shade without direct sunlight.
- The plants need a lot of water, especially Cyperus, although don’t overdo it with Beaucarnea. Don’t let the soil dry out.
- A bit of plant food, safe to use on edible plants, once a month, keeps the plant healthy.
- Cut off any damaged leaves. The plant will produce new ones.
