Houseplants can not only add life and beauty to your apartment, they also offer health benefits for you, your children and your pets! Houseplants reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, filter certain pollutants, and increase the humidity in your apartment. Plants also reduce the amount of airborne dust in your environment. Your eyes also absorb the green light waves given off by plants, triggering pain reduction area in the brain and minimizing inflammation throughout the body.
Plants can also present certain dangers to children and pets. Some plants can be poisonous when ingested. It’s not easy to keep curious pets and tiny hands away from houseplants in our apartments, but you can protect your loved ones by picking out plants that are non-toxic if accidentally ingested. Below are some safe houseplant suggestions that can refresh your apartment without making you worry.
Air Plants
Air plants are pet-friendly, low-maintenance that do not need soil to grow. They are often placed in glass containers and globes that keep them away from pets and children (and create lovely decorations). These hardy little plants tend to remain smaller than 12 inches. They thrive in bright, indirectly lit areas, and simply need a quick watering once a week.
African Violet
African violets are well known for their fuzzy leaves and pretty blossoms. The plants do well without full sun, and tend to thrive in the same moderate temperatures and average humidity common to the average apartment. These pleasant little plants are particularly fond of East-facing windows. With a little high quality fertilizer, African violets can produce blossoms year round.
Areca Palm
Areca palms are low-maintenance and pet-friendly, making them ideal for first time houseplant growers. The delicately leafed tropical palm likes bright, indirect light, but also does well in low light. Water the palm when the top inch of soil feels dry, and your palm tree can grow to a height of eight feet (although four feet is more common).
Spider Plant
You may have encountered a spider plant at your grandmother’s house, or maybe you were given one by a friend or coworker. This popular houseplant looks great in a hanging basket, and the trailing leaves are harmless to curious pets and children. The “babies” that grow on the vines can be transplanted to create new plants, allowing you to give your own spider plant gifts to friends.
Venus Fly Trap
The venus fly trap is a funky houseplant that is safe for pets and children. The carnivorous plant may even eradicate any stray flies from your apartment! The fascinating little plant grows well with a little fertilizer and distilled water, but the occasional fly that wanders into your apartment will be a special treat (and an interesting activity to watch).
Calathea
Calathea spp. is often referred called the zebra plant or peacock plant thanks to its showy foliage. Large, tropical leaves feature colorful stripes or stippling, and provide a bold accent in your apartment décor. They do best in the shadier parts of your apartment – too much light can bleach the plants.
Orchid
If you can’t remember to water your house plants but yearn for colorful blooms during the winter months, orchids are an elegant choice to address both issues. These flowering plants generally bloom during the winter months when the days are short, and they require very little attention and watering.
Bromeliad
The unique, colorful bromeliad is easy to care for, pet-safe and requires nothing more than a bright, sunny window and a little humidity (provided by a simple spritzer). Bromeliads don’t need soil to grow, and can be grow from a log, offering an interesting display and an attractive alternative for pets who tend to dig in potting soil.
Always be careful when bringing a new plant into your apartment. If you don’t know that a plant is safe, think about hanging the plant out of reach or placing it on a high shelf. You can also find out if the plant is poisonous on the House Plant Expert site by clicking here.
If you are afraid that your pet may have eaten a poisonous plant, please visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center or call their hotline at 888-426-4435 immediately. If your child may have eaten a poisonous plant or any toxin, visit the American Association of Poison Control Centers or call 800-222-1222.
Freshen up your apartment and add a little greenery with these safe, low-maintenance houseplants. Decorate your apartment with healthy plants without worry!
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