Surrounding yourself with thriving green plants and fragrant fresh flowers is a great way to live a happy, healthy, and stress-free life. As more people become cognizant of the numerous health benefits fresh plants & flowers bring us, having florals and houseplants in the home is becoming a normal part of modern living. Another common component of modern living is a pet in the home to provide companionship. Pet ownership has risen steadily in the U.S. over the past several years, so it is important to fill your home with plants and flowers that are pet-friendly. Here at Nanz and Kraft Florists, Louisville’s premier floral shop, we want you to experience the benefits of plants and flowers in your home and the joy of having pets, so we composed a list of our all-time favorite pet-friendly plants and flowers.

Pet-Friendly Plants & Flowers

Parlor Palm

An easy-to-grow plant that has volume, texture, and energy is the Parlor Plant. Large green leaves grow from a single trunk curving gracefully as they get bigger and creating numerous smaller leaflets. The Parlor Palm is pet-friendly, and this lovely plant looks great in any room of the house.

Calathea Orbifolia

A beautiful variety of the Calathea family of plants, the Calathea Orbifolia has big round leaves and pale, silver lines that create a stunning pattern. This plant grows well in humid environments and indirect light. Calathea Orbifolia is pet-friendly and an eye-catching plant to add to your home.

Bird’s Nest Fern

With bright green leaves that have wavy edges, the Bird’s Nest Fern certainly stands out. One of the more interesting fern varieties, this plant has a tropical vibe with leaves that resemble a banana plant. The Bird’s Nest Fern is pet-friendly and can endure low-light conditions.

Ponytail Palm

A whimsical plant with a ton of personality, the Ponytail Palm adds energy and excitement to any room. Not actually a palm but a succulent, this plant stores water in its trunk. Thin, long leaves rise from the top of the trunk and curve downwards in a manner resembling a ponytail. The Ponytail Palm is pet-friendly for cats and dogs and is easy to care for.

Haworthia / Echeveria

For succulent lovers, you will be pleased to discover Haworthia and Echeveria succulents, along with their many different types, are all pet-friendly. This allows you to work with numerous shapes, colors, and styles to build up your succulent collection.

Polka Dot Plant

For a little bit of color along with the green, get a Polka Dot Plant. This colorful plant has green leaves speckled with a bunch of dots in a different color. The color combinations include pink and green, white and green, white and pink, and red and green. The Polka Dot Plant is wonderfully unique plant for the home and it also pet-safe.

Roses

Is it really any wonder that the most popular flower in the world happens to also be pet-friendly? The rose is truly a remarkable bloom,  elegant, gorgeous, fragrant, and universally acknowledged as a symbol of love. Coming in nearly every color of the rainbow, there is no reason to not have beautiful roses in your home.

Gerbera Daisies

For an excellent pop of color, bring home some Gerbera Daisies. With a broad face and long, colorful petals surrounding the center, this is a flower that instantly spreads joy and happiness. Paired often with other blooms in bouquets, pet-friendly Gerbera Daisies look great in a vase all by themselves.

Sunflowers

It’s just not summer without sunflowers. This vibrant, sunny yellow flower brightens any room immediately and spreads warmth and joy. Sunflowers are pet-friendly and the perfect decor to add to your kitchen.

Snapdragons

A grouping of pretty blooms that on the tops of long stalks, Snapdragons add height and volume to floral arrangements. Besides bringing a lovely pop of color, Snapdragons are pet-friendly and look magnificent in a vase by themselves.

Orchid

For a plant that is known to be graceful, exotic, and sophisticated, we are very happy to discover that Orchids are pet-friendly. These wondrous plants have dramatic flowers that bloom in a variety of sizes, shapes, and color patterns. Orchids love humidity and plenty of indirect light.

Pansies

Cheerful and charming, Pansies are pretty flowers that end up in bouquets, on craft projects, in container pots, and even on cakes and in drinks. Pansies are safe for pets and are edible, too. With numerous colors like blue, yellow, white, and purple, Pansies are colorful, sweet, and decorative.

How to Protect your Pets from Toxic Plants & Flowers

There will likely be times when you fall for a particular plant or flower and you bring it home not knowing if it is toxic to pets or not. Play it safe by keeping toxic blooms and plants in places where furry paws can’t get to them. High shelves, hanging planters, and closed-off areas are all good options. It is also important to know the signs of poisoning in your pet in order to act accordingly. If your pet has ingested a toxic item, he will display symptoms such as excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. For a thorough listing of plants and flowers toxic to pets, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website.

With the above pet-friendly plants and flowers, and a little common sense, you will benefit from the best of both worlds by filly your home with beautiful florals and greenery and a few furry friends.