Find Your Local Florist:Everything you want to know about flowers!
We all love flowers and want to have them in our homes. But there are some flowers that are toxic to dogs and cats. Keep your furry friends safe and add positivity to your life with these flowers! Here are five flowers that are safe to have around dogs and cats: [Read more…]
Plants and flowers are great for the home and outdoors. They help purify the air, can repel pests, and also brighten up living spaces and yards. When it comes to plants and pets, some may choose not to have plants in the home or in their landscaping because of the potential risk to their pet. If you want to have your pet and plants too, check out this list of 5 plants and flowers that are okay to have around pets and which ones you should keep away. [Read more…]
Ask The Plant Expert: “Can you identify these weeds? Please Help! I am in Central California and want to pasture some milk goats. I know the one with yellow “fruit” is a member of the Nightshade family and deadly to goats. Please help me identify what is growing here!” – Mad Science
Is a Princess Alexia Violet a type of lily? I have cats and I know that lilies are poisonous to them. I was wondering if a Princess Alexia Violet is a type of lily. -Lorriane
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Lorriane,
The Princess Alexia violet is a type of Anthurium, specifically Anthurium andreanum. I am not personally familiar with this plant, but I am very familiar with Anthurium scherzeranum, also known as Flamingo flower which is toxic to cats and dogs. I assume the Anthurium andreanum would be as well.
For more information on Anthurium Care click here.
Hope this information is helpful.
Ask The Plant Expert:
I got a plant for Mother’s Day. It’s name is Croton, it’s a black waxy leaf with red veins in it. I went online and on one web site it stated that it is highly poisonous to pets and people. I have it on my enclosed patio and my cats go out there all the time. So i was wondering if i should return it? If you could please email me back asap, cause I’d like to keep the plant, but I love my cats and myself more. Thank you for any help, or if your not sure if you could maybe have any ideas on who i could contact. Thank-you, Anneke
Flower Shop Network:
Yes, the croton house plant is toxic for plants and people, but only if it’s digested. If you’re cat has a habit of chewing on plants, you may want to try a different plant. However, the plant tastes terrible, and accidental poisonings are rare.
If any part of the croton is ingested, it would cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, and in large doses could be fatal. It is also a good idea to wear gloves when pruning, and wash your hands after touching the plant.
Although crotons are toxic, they are a beautifully colored house plant that requires little care to maintain. As long as you leave it alone and teach kitty to not crave croton salads, you can live happily with your new plant. However, if you think your cat is prone to chewing on leaves, you might consider a different plant. Be sure to check the FSN House Plant Toxicity List for help.
Looking for an easy way to add fresh color and interest to a room in your home? What better way to do that and bring spring indoors than with flowers?
You can’t go wrong with African Violets. Not only are they gorgeous, brightly colored and showy, they are safe around kids and pets! With an array of colors including violet, blue, red, white, pink, cream, soft yellow, and bi- or multicolored flowers, it’s easy to see why they are a favorite houseplant. Care of African violets is relatively easy and requires an environment of bright to moderate, but consistent light in an evenly moist and humid atmosphere. (Great for bathrooms and kitchens)
For the best selection of house plants, such as the African Violet, head on over to your local flower shop! You can rest assured they have had the best of care there. If you do not know your local florist, use FSN’s handy florist finder!
When it comes to our pets, like kids, we are very protective. You might have given up growing green plants in your home just to keep them safe. However, you don’t have to abandon all house plants! These 5 house plants are great and safe for Fido!
5. The African Violet
African violets (Saintpaulia) are well-known, colorfully blooming plants found in many gardens, or kept as houseplants. With an array of colors including violet, blue, red, white, pink, cream, soft yellow, and bi- or multicolored flowers, it’s easy to see why. Care of African violets is relatively easy and requires an environment of bright to moderate, but consistent light in an evenly moist and humid atmosphere. The African Violet is also safe for cats and dogs!
4. Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii or Christmas Cactus is a cactus from the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. Plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats which are generally shady with high humidity and can be quite different in appearance from their desert-dwelling cousins. This flower is usually available in white, pink, yellow, orange, red or purple. This blooming plant is perfect for houses with cats and dogs!
3. Birds Nest Fern
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) plants are tropical plants native to Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Very slow-growing, Asplenium nidus plants are excellent for seasoned houseplant growers. Care for Asplenium nidus plants, sometimes known as spleenwort, requires attention to watering and propagation, but does not require as much attention to fertilization and light as many other houseplants. Bird’s Nest Fern plants, though care is not for the faint of heart, make beautiful additions to homes, rock gardens, and patios, in addition to being safe for your pets.
2. Parlor Palm
Parlor Palm (Chamaedora elegans) is a very popular houseplant with rich green, slightly arched and slender leaves. Parlor Palm plants are often passed from generation to generation as they are very slow-growing and live actively for many years. This pet-friendly house plant ranges from a few inches to three feet, making Parlor Palm plants ideal for tabletop decorations, terrariums, and other small spaces inside a house. Care for Parlor Palm plants is moderately easy; they require an evenly moist environment with moderate humidity.
Ask The Plant Expert:
What houseplant is good to order this time of the year in West Point NY? I also need something not poisonous to babies and cats. -Cassandra
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
If you want a blooming plant, I would recommend the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) or Bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata major), which are both very safe for pets and children.
Christmas Cactus |
 Bromeliad |
If you want a nice green plant, I would recommend a Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
Ask the Expert: Is Lucky Bamboo poisonous to cats?
Have received a Lucky Bamboo plant, need to know if it will make my cats sick—since they believe plants are there to be eaten. Dallas
Plant Expert Reply:
According to the ASPCA Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo or ribbon plant) can be harmful to cats. If ingested, it causes dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart-rate and drooling. Cats who ingest lucky bamboo will show signs of depression, no appetite, drooling, vomiting, incoordination and weakness. If you think your cat has ingested lucky bamboo, call your veterinarian for recommendations on how to handle the toxin.
This lucky bamboo question was sponsored by local flower shops across the United States and Canada.
If you share your home with dogs or cats, keeping them safe and happy is often your primary concern. At the same time, having interior foliage really makes a house a home. Many houseplants actually improve air quality and create a healthy environment for you.
Although houseplants are pretty and help improve your life, they can sometimes pose a serious issue for your beloved pets. According of the Humane Society of the US there are 700 identified plants that have “toxic” qualities that can cause harmful side effects in animals. Does this mean you have to chose between living with your beloved pet or an awesome houseplant? NO! It doesn’t. By taking certain steps and knowing which houseplants are dangerous to your cat or dog, you can create a pet safe home that includes beautiful foliage.
Before you throw out all your houseplants for the sake of your kitten or puppy, take time to consider whether you’re dog or cat can live with your plants. Some dogs and cats never touch houseplants while others can’t leave them alone. You can still enjoy these plants, even ones potentially “toxic” to pets.
You can protect your pet by taking a few preventative steps. Place plants on stands or hang them out of your dog’s reach. This can work with cats as well. However with cats, the plant must be placed so that your kitty can’t climb up to or jump on to the hanging plant. Otherwise, all questionable plants will need to be placed in a room unavailable to the cat.
If you receive a new plant as a gift, take time to see if your pet is even interested in it. Most cats and dogs simply ignore houseplants and leave them alone. Kittens and puppies are a bit different. They are extremely curious and will chew or play with just about anything. If you have a puppy take time to train them to leave the houseplants alone. Spritzing them with water when they get near the plant is usually a sufficient deterrent. With kittens it’s a bit harder to train them; you may have to put the plants out of the kittens reach.
If you’re still leery about exposing your pet to houseplants, select [Read more…]
