Many pet owners wish they could have houseplants in their home but are afraid of doing so in case their pets get into them. Thankfully, you can own both houseplants and pets at the same time. You will just have to make a few adjustments and accommodations.
Cats vs. Dogs
You will face different challenges with owning houseplants depending on the pets you have.
Most cats stay indoors, so you won’t have to worry about your outdoor garden. However, they can get into places that dogs cannot. They can jump up high or squeeze into small places, making it difficult for owners to keep those plants out of reach.
Dogs, meanwhile, can’t get into those hard-to-reach place, but they are often outside. As such, dog owners will have to careful about what they plant outside.
How to Keep Houseplants Away from Cats
Cats may be able to get into any area of your home, but there are still things you can do to keep them away from your plants. Here are a few options:
- Add stones to your plants to make it harder to chew them
- Use spray repellants to keep your cats away
- Lay citrus and coffee grounds on the soil, as the smell will drive cats away
- Have only pet-safe plants (more on this below)
How to Keep Houseplants Away from Dogs
Keeping houseplants away from dogs is a bit easier than with cats. Nevertheless, there will be some challenges you face, especially outside. Here is what you can do:
- Build a wire fence around your garden to keep your dog out
- Place indoor plants high up and out of reach
- Use spray repellants
- Only have pet-safe plants (see more below)
Pet-Safe Plants
No matter how hard you try, sometimes your pets will still get into your plants. That’s why we recommend only having pet-safe plants around your house. Thankfully, there are plenty of options!
- Boston Fern
- Christmas Cactus
- Spider Plant
- Donkey’s Tail
- Parlor Palm
- African Violet
- Gerbera Daisy
You can find a full list of pet-safe plants on the ASPCA’s website.
Do you have your own tricks for keep your pets away from your plants? Share them in the comment section below!