Many plant and pet parents are faced with the challenge of ensuring that the flowers and houseplants they bring home are safe for their fur babies. With countless types of botanicals, it can often feel impossible to be sure that your favorites are nontoxic to dogs and cats. Thankfully, the experts here at Ah Sam Florist, the top flower shop in San Mateo, are both plant and pet lovers with the knowledge to assist you. Take a look at some of our preferred greens and blooms that are perfect for a pet-friendly home.

Safe Plants & Flowers for Pets

Parlor Palm

A decorative plant that spruces up any room in the home, parlor plants are pet-friendly and only need a few hours of indirect light each day.

Haworthia / Echeveria

If you love succulents, (and who doesn’t?), then rest assured in knowing that if you pick up an Echeveria or Haworthia plant, your furry friends will be safe. Just make sure that Jade plants, Aloe Vera, and Kalanchoe succulents are kept far away from your cats and dogs.

Herbs

If you like having fresh herbs growing in your kitchen, then go ahead and grow some rosemary, basil, and thyme as these are harmless if your dog or cat snacks on them. Keep these herbs in direct light for optimum growth.

Sunflowers

A vase of fresh-cut sunflowers gives your kitchen or dining room an instant boost of charm. These vibrant, yellow blossoms are full of warmth and joy, and sunflowers are non-toxic to your pets.

Pansies

Colorful, bright, and cheery, pansies are close relatives of violets. They are a popular flower to grow in planters on the back patio or front porch. Coming in a rainbow of colors, pansies are safe for pets and even humans to consume.

How to Protect your Pets from Toxic Plants & Flowers

To protect your pets from harmful plants, stick the ones listed above that are safe for pets. Besides this, the best course of action is to keep your plants in a screened or cordoned-off area of your home. Even if a plant isn’t toxic to Fido or Fluffins, you still want to protect the plant from your furry friends, too. Hang them high in a planter, place them on top of bookshelves, or in a place that is out of reach to playful paws and over-enthusiastic puppies.