Five Dog-Friendly Plants for Your Home

If you're a foliage-loving dog owner, it's important to remember that some plants are toxic to your canine friend. In this article, we round up five of the most popular dog-friendly plants and five of the most poisonous.

As a pet owner, it's important to consider your canine companion when decorating your home with plants. With this in mind, we've listed five dog-friendly plants and five plants to avoid, including photos to help you identify them. Remember though, dog friendly doesn't necessarily mean suitable for all animals.

Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm or Thatch Palm)

The howea forsteriana plant prefers larger rooms, as its size requires space, light and air circulation.

By Photo by David J. Stang - source: David Stang. First published at ZipcodeZoo.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston Fern or Sword Fern)

The Boston Fern thrives in warm, humid conditions, making bathrooms the ideal environment. Note that it's possible to bring this plant back from near death, so if it's looking unwell, don't rush to throw it away - try moving it to a warmer, wetter environment and it may be able to revive itself.

CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Calathea (Prayer Plant)

If you find plants difficult to keep alive, the Calathea, or prayer plant, may not be for you. This miniature plant is ideal for tables, bookshelves or little ledges as it rarely peaks further than 24 inches tall - and a similar length.

By John Thagard - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Orchids

Orchids require very little water - so leave a few weeks between each water. When your orchid is in bloom,it's best to hold off on watering entirely - and don't forget to snip off the ends (where the flower grew) once the flowers have fallen.

Adiantum (Maidenhair Fern)

An adiantum requires specific conditions to thrive, but it does not need as much routine grooming as many other indoor plants. The adiantum thrives in a mild, humid environment with lots of indirect light - for most people, the most suitable room for an adiantum is the bathroom.

By USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency - Maidenhair fern, Public Domain, Link

Plants that are toxic to dogs

Some common houseplants are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting or even death. If you are going to keep these plants in your home, be sure to keep them out of reach of your dog on high shelves or in hanging baskets.

If you are worried that your dog has been poisoned by a plant, you can contact the Animal Poison Line, which is open 24 hours a day.