Dog o' Day
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Houseplants to give your home a summer refresh that are also dog-friendly

By Kimberley Spinney

ILULISSAT, GREENLAND - JULY 30: A puppy that will one day pull dog sleds during the winter stands in grass on the outskirts of town on July 30, 2019 in Ilulissat, Greenland. As the Earth's climate warms summers have become longer in Ilulissat, allowing fishermen a wider period to fish from boats on open waters and extending the summer tourist season. Long term benefits are uncertain, however, as warming waters could have a negative impact on the local fish and whale population. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
ILULISSAT, GREENLAND - JULY 30: A puppy that will one day pull dog sleds during the winter stands in grass on the outskirts of town on July 30, 2019 in Ilulissat, Greenland. As the Earth's climate warms summers have become longer in Ilulissat, allowing fishermen a wider period to fish from boats on open waters and extending the summer tourist season. Long term benefits are uncertain, however, as warming waters could have a negative impact on the local fish and whale population. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /
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Summer is here and that means bringing home plants to freshen up your home. But which houseplants are actually dog safe and friendly?

Sometimes we forget that just because something is in nature, it doesn’t mean it is safe for our dogs. And this is especially true when it comes to adding houseplants to our home.

While there are any number of dog-friendly flowers and plants, there are still plenty of houseplants that you do not want to bring home with you. And unless you are talking to someone knowledgeable at the garden center, they may not know what is safe for your pup.

Going in with the knowledge of what you want and what it is pet safe will go a long way to making your summer refresh a success. After all, the last thing you want to do is bring home a gorgeous houseplant that is ultimately hazardous to your dog’s health.

The Humane Society of the United States has compiled an entire list of plants and flowers that are poisonous to our pets, which is always a good reference to have. However, if you want to make it easier on yourself, have no fear as we have a few ideas for dog-friendly houseplants that you can use to give your home a summery refresh.

African Violet

If you are looking for a pretty plant that is affordable, gives you flowers to brighten up your home, and is also non-toxic to your pup, then the African violet is the perfect choice. That being said, this is not always the easiest plant to care for, so you will definitely want to make sure you are careful and give a lot of attention to this particular houseplant.

Bird’s Nest Fern

At the top of Buzzfeed‘s own list of pet friendly plants is the bird’s nest fern. And it makes perfect sense because this is the kind of houseplant that grows in any number of circumstances. This means that even if you forget to give it a lot of sunlight, it will still survive. Basically this is the kind of plant that can last even when you don’t have a green thumb. Of course the fact that your dog is safe around this fern makes it a real winner.

Blue Echeveria

If you want a succulent that is pretty enough to plant as a flower over a regular houseplant, then the blue echeveria is the perfect choice. With leaves that are a lovely blue-green, and a price tag that is usually under $10 (depending on how big of a plant you pick up), this is more than just a dog-friendly houseplant, this is a great way to add a pop of freshness to your home.

Boston Fern

I grew up with dogs and ferns (specifically the bird’s nest and Boston ferns as there are other varieties that are toxic to pets) and the Boston Fern was always one of the houseplants my mother would pick up in the summer. These plants do not need direct sunlight and if you live in a humid area, even better. The fact that these plants are also pet friendly is an added bonus.

Prayer Plant

With gorgeous colors on their leaves, the prayer plant is a lovely choice for a houseplant. The fact that your pup is safe around this gorgeous greenery makes it a real winner for adding a pop of freshness to your space.

Bamboo

Forget the koalas, it turns out that bamboo is also safe around our dogs, which is awesome if you are looking to add a unique plant to your home. From the decorative bamboo plants that have been woven and designed to look like growing works of art, to just simple stems, these plants are a lovely and fresh addition to your decor.

Spider Plant

Another houseplant that was all over my house as a child was the spider plant. Not only were these pet friendly, but they are hard to kill, which is great for those of us who struggle with our green thumb. Again, these can handle low light, which is excellent for anyone like me who is more likely to forget to open the blinds than anything else. And as an added bonus, this plant sprouts its own babies that lets you plant them and grow even more spider plants.

Must Read. Beagle shaped Bed and Breakfast is our idea of a perfect getaway. light

Honestly, there are a number of houseplants that you can pick up that are both dog-friendly and perfect for adding a bit of freshness to your home. All it takes is a bit of research and you’ll be able to find the perfect greens for your summer refresh.

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