Houseplants are amazing to have around the house!
However, when you have pets or small children, you have to pay extra attention when buying plants.
Many houseplants are toxic to your pets and young children, so you need to be careful when choosing plants to bring indoors.
Luckily there are still a lot of amazing plants that are completely safe for your kids and pets.
All plants on this page are safe to have around pets and children.
If you're looking for other plants, including those that could be toxic to your pets and children, you can have a look at all plants we've written about. You can still get these plants and keep them in places your pets and children can't reach them.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make soil retain more water?
You can add a few ingredients to your soil to improve water retention: vermiculite, sphagnum (peat) moss, and coconut coir.
What is vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that's heated until it expands and forms into lightweight particles. It's a material that's naturally resistant to mold and other diseases and can hold a lot of moisture.
How can you use Sphagnum moss with houseplants?
Sphagnum moss retains a lot of moisture, so you can mix it with soil to keep it moist for longer. This helps your moisture-loving plants thrive.
Can you grow a Calathea plant in Leca?
Yes, Calathea plants can grow in Leca. The water regulation properties of the Leca make the air much more humid than soil would, so it also helps to keep your Calathea happy.
How often do I water the Calathea Ornata?
You have to make sure that the soil stays moist all the time. This plant loves humidity and likes to be in moist soil. So when it starts to dry out, it's time to water your Calathea.
How much light does a Calathea Ornata need?
The Calathea Ornata needs bright indirect light. A perfect spot is close to a south-facing window where it gets indirect sunlight. Make sure the Calathea doesn't get too much direct sunlight, otherwise the beautiful leaves will start to fade.
How do I get rid of pests on the Calathea Ornata?
To get rid of pests like spider mites, you should wash the leaves with soapy water on both sides. This will drown the spider mites and kill them.
What should I look for when getting a pot for my succulent?
The most important thing to look for is proper drainage. Succulents are easy to kill when overwatered, so proper drainage is essential. The material and size of the pot is also important.
What material is right for my succulent plant pot?
The material of your succulent pot depends on the kind if succulent and where you're going to place your plant. If you place the succulent in a very warm area, a terracotta pot is best. If you place your succulent in a dark place, a glass pot with proper drainage might be your best option.
How much space for my succulent do I need in my pot?
You need about 2.5 cm (1 inches) between the edge of the pot and your plant. If you add more succulents, then you need about 2.5 cm (1 inches) between the different succulents as well.
How much water do succulents need?
Succulents need very little water. Watering them too often, more than once per two weeks in the summer or once per month in the winter, could kill a succulent. So it's best to water it only once per two weeks in the summer and once per month in the winter.
How do you grow succulents from cuttings?
Most succulents are very easy to propagate. So when you have a succulent cutting, there are only 3 things you have to do: 1. wait until your succulent has grown a Callus on the section that was cut away from the parent plant. 2. Plant your succulent in the soil. 3. Water your succulent.
How much sunlight do succulents need?
Most succulents, like cacti, grow in warm regions in the blazing sun. There are a few succulents that require less sunlight, but most of the succulents require all the sunlight you can give it. Make sure to check if your specific succulent needs a lot of light and if so, put it on a windowsill with full sun exposure.
How often should you water the Sedum morganianum?
The Sedum morganianum thrives in a dry environment. It loves to be dry most of the time, so you should water it no more than once every 14 days to allow it to completely dry out.
How much sunlight does the Sedum morganianum need?
The Sedum morganianum thrives in bright and direct sunlight. You can help your Sedum morganianum by giving it the brightest spot in your house where it gets a lot of direct sunlight exposure.
What is the best soil for the Sedum morganianum?
The best type of soil for the Sedum morganianum is soil that drains moisture quickly. The Sedum morganianum loves to be in dry soil, so the soil should be dry again in a day or so.
Can you use a north-facing window for plants?
Yes, a north-facing window is great for plants that can't survive in bright environments. If you're in the southern hemisphere, this window gives you a lot of direct sunlight, so choose your plants accordingly.
Can you use a east-facing window for plants?
Yes, the east-facing windows get (weak) sunlight in the mornings. This is a great place for plants that love a low-light environment.
Can you use a south-facing window for plants?
Yes, a south facing window is great for sun-loving plants, like succulents and cacti. If you're in the southern hemisphere, the south-facing window doesn't get a lot of sunlight and you can use this window for low-light plants.
How often should you water the Hoya?
The Hoya thrives in a dry environment, so you should let the soil dry out before you water your plant again. On average, you should water your Hoya once every 14 days in the spring and summer and once every 3-4 weeks in the winter.
How much sunlight does the Hoya need?
The Hoya loves indirect sunlight. You shouldn't put it in a spot where it gets direct sunlight as too much sunlight will turn the leaves on you Hoya yellow. The bright sunlight helps your Hoya to grow flowers.
What is the best soil for the Hoya?
The soil for your Hoya should hold onto moisture for a few days and then dry up completely. Your Hoya loves to the soil to dry out before being watered again, so the soil should drain the excess water. This soil contains things like pumice or perlite for drainage.
Is the Areca Palm toxic for pets?
No, the Areca palm is safe for pets and small children. You won't have to worry about them being harmed by chewing on this plant.
What is the best light for an Areca Palm?
The best light is bright indirect sunlight. The Areca Palm needs plenty of light to grow so doesn't do well in low-light places. Direct sunlight will burn its leaves.
Can the Areca Palm grow in low-light places?
No, the Areca Palm needs plenty of bright indirect sunlight to grow. The Parlor Palm is a better palm for low-light places.
Why are my Maranta leaves turning yellow?
Your Maranta leaves are turning yellow for one of two reasons: It's getting too much sunlight or the leaf is aging and has had it's best time.
Why are my Prayer plant leaves drooping?
Your Maranta Prayer plant leaves are drooping, because that's what it naturally does. It's not a plant that grows up straight, but it's a trailing plant. This means it grows horizontally and can hang down if you hang it up.
Is a Maranta Prayer plant safe for cats and dogs?
Yes, the Maranta prayer plant is non-toxic to your pets. You can safely keep it in the same room as your cats and dogs.
How often should you water the Orchid?
The Orchid thrives when it dries out in between waterings. On average, you should water your Orchid once per week. This helps it to dry out for a few days before you water it again.
How much sunlight does the Orchid need?
The Orchid loves bright and direct sunlight. You can help your Orchid by giving it the brightest spot in your house where it gets a lot of direct sunlight exposure.
What is the best soil for the Orchid?
Your Orchid grows best in wood chips, rather than soil. You can also plant your Orchid in Leca, which helps to drain the moisture quickly and prevent root rot.
