Pet-friendly plants: October Houseplants of the Month

This Thursday, 4th October, is World Animal Day so we thought we'd share some plant tips to keep your furry buddies happy and healthy!

These are five houseplants especially picked for the owners of dogs, cats, rabbits and birds who sometimes fancy a little nibble on something green. Chlorophytum (spider plant), Cyperus (umbrella plant), Hordeum (cat grass), Beaucarnea (elephant’s foot) or Bambusa (bamboo) are all lush - even for those who don’t have pets - and safe for our furry and feathered friends.

What to look for when choosing Pet-friendly plants

• Particularly look at the leaf tips: they should not be brown or damaged.

• Pet-friendly plants must be offered with damp soil.

• The plant must be free of pests and diseases.

The Plants

Cyperus / Umbrella Plant:

The variety 'alternifolius' is very well known, but the cultivar 'Zumula' is also very suitable as a pet-friendly plant.

Beaucarnea / Elephant's Foot:

Has a sturdy stem with leaves that attractively bends backwards. The young variety that only has a tuber, is called Nolina. The trunk and tuber can cope with cats that think it’s a very fine scratching post. Felines often find the leaves irresistible.

Chlorophytum comosum / Spider Plant:

With its variegated fronds it has a few cultivars which differ somewhat in terms of the leaf colouring. The most common is ‘Variegatum’. Comosum means ‘crested’ and refers to the crests which are

found on the plant’s runners.

Bambusa / Bamboo:

In the living room is usually Bambusa vulgare, with sturdy yellow canes on which the bamboo leaves grow.

Hordeum / Cat Grass:

Cat grass is a mini field of barley in a pot, container or bowl. It grows upwards in a compact way, provides house cats with folic acid and looks like a comical dark green tall lawn.

Care tips for customers

• All Pet-friendly plants like a position between light and partial shade without direct sunlight.

• The plants need a lot of water. The soil should not be allowed to dry out.

• A bit of plant food safe to use on edible plants, once a month keeps the plant strong and healthy.

• If a cat or dog has got a little over-playful with the plant, damaged leaves can be cut off. The plant will produce new ones.

Plant Images kindly provided by Thejoyofplants.co.uk

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