It’s great to know that there are so many plants that help remove toxins from the air inside our homes. But for pet lovers, there’s always the question: what happens if my cat or dog nibbles on this? We want our homes to be as safe and welcoming to our pets as they are for us! So here is a list of plants that clear the air and are safe for cats and dogs.
Spider Plants Chlorophytum comosum
- Easy-care: can tolerate low light to bright sun, water weekly
- Flowers each spring and produces “babies” that can be potted up and shared with friends
- Combats benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene
Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans
- Thrives in indirect light
- Combats benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde
- Be very sure of your species, as the similar-looking Sago palm is very toxic to dogs and cats
Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
- Needs high humidity, partial sun, and frequent pruning
- Combats all most common toxins found in household air
Boston fern Nephrolepis Exalta Bostoniensis
- Needs high humidity (daily misting is best) and indirect light
- Combats formaldehyde and xylene
Gerber Daisy Gerbera jamesonii
- Beautiful, bright flowers
- Needs strong sun and well drained soil
- Combats trichloroethylene (a dry cleaning chemical), benzene
The following plants are all listed as safe for dogs and cats. They don’t have any particular air-filtering properties, but all plants absorb carbon dioxide, improve indoor humidity, and release negative ions into the air. I’ve included two succulents (mosts succulents, including Aloe, and all the Ficus species, are toxic to pets) and two flowering plants to add a little variety to your indoor spaces!
Burro’s tail Sedum morganianum
Hens and Chicks Echeveria elegans
House Leeks Sempervivum tectorum
Thanksgiving/Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera Truncata/ Buckleyi
African Violet Saintpaulias
Herb Plants that are safe for dogs and cats include:
Garden Sage Salvia officinalis
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Sweet Basil Ocimum basilicum
Common Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Resources:
http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/best-air-filtering-house-plants/
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
To those at the Smile Herb Shop:
Thank you for keeping me informed! Now if
I can only remember all the different kinds of
non-toxic plants when I’m out shopping – it
would be a miracle.
N. Daniela Shaw