Plants And Pets
by B. J. Apostol

Do you crave a house full of greenery but hesitate to use your green thumb because you own a pet? Maybe you've heard that plants are toxic to pets or simply fear that your pet would destroy the plants anyway? Well, here are a few words from someone who balances two dogs, three cats and a house full of greenery.

Toxic Houseplants

Wild dogs and cats seem to know instinctively which plants are toxic and avoid them. Unfortunately, many of our domesticated animals don't share this trait and may be tempted to snack on household greenery. Educating yourself about plants that may be hazardous should be a first step in providing an environment where animals and plants coexist favorably.

Some common toxic plants include Anthurium, Azalea (Rhododendron), Caladium, Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane), Easter Lily, English and Japanese Yew, Eucalyptus, Hydrangea, Mistletoe, Oleander, Philodendron, Pothos, Umbrella plant, and many varieties of lilies. For more complete listings, please see the reference links below.

Symptoms arising from ingesting a toxic plant can range from mild diarrhea to dehydration and even death. If your pet has eaten a houseplant and shows any signs of distress, call your veterinarian immediately.

Safe Houseplants

With all these dangers, what plants are safe to have in a home with pets? Below are a few suggestions, but keep in mind that animals are like people in many ways. Just as some people may have a reaction to tomatoes while others eat them daily, a particular pet may have a reaction to plants considered safe. As an additional precaution, pet owners should read labels carefully before using insecticides and other chemicals on their houseplants. Even the non-toxic plants listed below can do harm when sprayed with a toxic substance.

Swedish Ivy, Coleus, and Catnip are all plants from the mint family and are generally considered safe and non-toxic. Coleus offers a wealth of color variety with leaves ranging from light to dark green and pinks to plums. Parsley, with its deep green curling leaves, makes a beautiful houseplant as well as an excellent herbal flavoring and garnish. For a bit of dainty color and beauty, consider the African Violet family. Other possibilities include Wandering Jew, many of the Palms, and most Cacti with spines.

Displaying Your Plants

Once you have made sure that your chosen plants are non-toxic and safe for your animals, you can shift your concern to keeping the plants themselves healthy and un-nibbled. A few methods include placing them on high perches such as the top of bookcases, displaying them on the wall, or hanging them.

A stunning example of a wall display recently caught my eye at a friend's home. Her husband had constructed a low-railed shelf along the living room wall about a foot and a half below the ceiling where she proudly displayed her collection of greenery out of the reach of her two cats. Potted plants sat on the shelf and others hung from hooks spaced along the bottom. Using modular wall shelves or rustic wooden crates cut down and attached to the walls can also provide a creative and safe setting for plants. Planters designed specifically to hang flat against a wall offer another option and can be found in a variety of decorative styles and materials.

Another idea involves a grouping of three or more hanging plants of various sizes placed together in a well-lit area. To get the maximum effect, use a variety of plants and hang them at different levels to give the arrangement both height and depth. Pot the plants in inexpensive lightweight plastic pots with drainage holes. Then place these inside more decorative pots without drainage holes, so the outer pots catch any leakage. Baskets with waterproof plastic linings may be used in place of the outer pots to offer added texture to the arrangement.

With some knowledge and a little ingenuity, you can have both vibrant greenery and healthy pets in your home. Its well worth the effort.

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