Wandering Jew will take root wherever it falls, whether that's in another pot, a glass of water, or in your yard. Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on June 13, 2013: @Melissa--thank you for reading and commenting! A large coleus will reach 2 to 3 feet in height. Just remember that even a non-toxic plant (including grass) can make a pet appear sick if they eat too much. Scaredy cat plant – plectranthus caninus (coleus canina) Don’t take the name as gospel. I bought two plants for a planter on the ground and one more to put in a separate pot next to them. This plant is non-toxic, and its fronds do not have stickers. Are they dangerous to pets? Thanks for writing this. However, in the house, where animals may become bored, it is best to take precautions and keep these plants in a safe area. Always insist on hand-washing after handling plants or their debris. Even if someone calls a plant by one name, take the time to do research and be sure of the kind of plant you have. These include: Severely toxic plants can include any of the following: With any of these above severely poisonous plants for cats, don’t wait for major symptoms to appear. Always make sure your plant is properly identified. What about a Philodendron plant? Although there are many types of plants that can be toxic to cats, most may actually be found in or around the home. Safe for children? If you think your dog has eaten coleus, it is essential to take your furry friend to the veterinarian or animal hospital right away. Some readers and friends asked me to write a list of safe plants to use instead. While coleus plants are nontoxic to humans, the essential oils they contain are toxic to pets. It’s mostly undetectable to people, but dogs and cats tend to avoid it. She is so worth it. They may lose their leaves in winter, which will leave you with a pretty unattractive plant. feature colorful foliage in shades green, yellow, pink, red, purple and cream. I've never had any luck growing them! Since there are so many plants toxic to cats, I’ve chosen to split them into groups of the most common poisonous plants having mild, moderate, or severe effects. Start with a beautiful, healthy coleus plant and care for it properly, and you will be rewarded for your efforts with a magnificent house plant. 10 plants that are toxic to both children and pets, Gardening With Kids—Fun Plants and Ideas for Children. Still, the ease with which it can be propagated and grown is part of its attraction. Keeping a rose indoors requires a lot of light and a regular room temperature. These plants are also known as "Thanksgiving Cactus" and "Holiday Cactus.". Crassula Ovata, or “Jade” A rubber plant popular for its hard-to-kill properties, crassula ovata, commonly known as jade, is toxic to pets and can cause vomiting and a slow heart rate in addition to a hard-to-identify symptom: depression. This plant probably requires the least amount of care of any of the house plants mentioned in this article. Here's the link: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-contro... And my neighbors have 2 jade plants, both over 3 feet tall. Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) Take your cat to the vet, along with the plant (if possible) as soon as you can. They can be moved to semi-shady locations outside during the summer, but they are not as heat and drought-tolerant as other cacti. Nonetheless, you should always be aware of toxic plants to cats in order to prevent any future issues in and around the home so you can keep your feline friends healthy and safe. Artist, blogger, freelance writer. Please make a correction, the jade plant or rubber plant is toxic to cats and dogs. In severe poisoning, the … They were first brought to England in the 19th century, from Java, by Karl Ludwig Blume. have a great day! They were in high demand in Europe after their discovery in the 1800s, and they had to be grown in hothouses. It also puts out "vines" or "legs," making it a lovely selection for a hanging basket. While scaredy cat coleus does have a distinctive skunk smell, which is worse when someone brushes … Caring for Coleus in the Winter. There are even variegated varieties. It produces beautiful, grass-like leaves that can range from pale to emerald green. Unfortunately, they can be very difficult for some people to grow. Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on September 10, 2016: It is a very useful and informative hub. Ferns such as the Boston fern and maidenhair fern are safe, as are most palms. As its name implies, the African violet (Saintpaulia) is native to Africa. Always monitor children when you're introducing plants to your home. Ensure that everyone lives with plants safely by implementing a few rules and practices: You don't have to limit your indoor plants to those that are marketed as house plants. Add a few cuttings to outdoor containers for a lovely cascading addition to your flower beds. Rosemary can also be used for bonsai. Also, keep in mind that symptoms will vary from cat to cat, depending on their size and the parts or quantities of the plant ingested. Safe for cats and dogs? Read more articles about Environmental Problems. Pets may avoid this plant because it tastes bitter. one list said catnip was toxic and another said was ok. Also orchids were listed both ways. The coleus has green … Jade Plant is HIGHLY TOXIC to cats and dogs. Coleus Makes a Magnificent Houseplant. Unlike other plants, they bloom from November through January, and they can bring a lot of color to homes during winter. Coleus Plants for Sale - Large Selection of Brightly Colored Varieties - Satisfaction Guaranteed - FREE Shipping - Buy NOW - The healthiest plants start here! I enjoyed the article and the pictures and I hope that you can update this. Safe for children? Ferns are beautiful plants. In these cases, plants should be kept out of reach, or children should be taught not to touch them. Please correct your list so animals are not harmed by misinformation. ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats, Toxic Plants To Dogs - Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Peace Lily And Cats: Learn About The Toxicity Of Peace Lily Plants, Toxic Garden Plants – Learn About Poisonous Garden Plants To Look Out For, Garden Inside During Winter: How To Plant An Indoor Winter Garden, Growing Food For Christmas: How To Grow Christmas Dinner, Boxwood Wreath Ideas: Tips For Making Boxwood Wreaths, Do Sago Palms Flower: Identifying Flowering Sago Palms, Rain Garden Instructions: What Is A Rain Garden And Rain Garden Plants, How To Propagate Coleus From Seed Or Cuttings, Toxic Plants To Dogs – Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. This plant (also known as airplane plant) is great for many reasons. Legend has it that this plant smells so bad that it will repel cats, dogs, rabbits, and any other small mammal that might otherwise get into the garden and eat the plants. Chester Ng. Give some weak compost tea about once a month in winter, twice a month in the growing season. Thanks for sharing. These plants can be grown from seeds, or they can be propagated from a plant owned by a friend. In dogs, allergies usually affect the skin rather than the respiratory system. Parsley (may cause digestive upset in large quantities, but it is not fatal). The name was created for marketing purposes. This might make it less desirable to someone with limited space, but most of the jade plants I have seen ended up being about 1 foot tall. Note: These plants are safe to grow around children and pets, but some may still be toxic. Some coleus plants are toxic to cats, as well as dogs and horses. Here are some safer alternatives that can still provide you with lovely, living décor. wildfeur via wikimedia commons CC-SA-BY 3.0. Some children may have allergic reactions to certain plants. Additionally, if your cat eats any part of this plant, it will also develop gastrointestinal symptoms. It is an excellent air-purifying plant. Plant in a container to move around to problem areas. I knew someone who made the mistake of throwing the cuttings in their compost heap. Typical coleus colors include purple, yellow, orange, and green. Best of all, it’s safe for your kitty to be around. For more extensive lists of plants poisonous to cats, please visit: The Jade plant is toxic according to ASPCA. This is much kinder than simply throwing plants out in the trash to die, and you and your friends will have the chance to experiment with caring for new plants. You really only have to buy one or two plants before their leaves provide you with a whole collection of violets. If you see web-like coverings on young leaves causing them to wilt and dry, spray the plant until it's dripping with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 6 tablespoons per gallon of water. While cats do feast on a great many plants, especially those found in the home, they are usually less likely to feed on an entire plant as most dogs will. This makes the African violet a little trickier to grow than many other types of house plants. Cultivation and History. However, some people have been lucky using regular lighting too. This plant is safe for children and pets, and the miniature varieties are thornless, so there's no risk of injury! Danger to Pets. ?good information. CFA: Plants and Your Cat For people with skin sensitivities, they can also cause contact dermatitis or … This is probably the trickiest plant to grow indoors, but the miniature rose is definitely worth the trouble. Having cat repelling plants planted in selected areas of your home isn’t due to having a dislike for these animals. We've had to go through them and evaluate safe/unsafe and remove/leave on each of them. Although usually planted outdoors, with proper light and food, a coleus plant can make a great addition to your collection of house plants. Growing Coleus indoors My coleus plants do well in about an 8" pot size, though you can certainly start smaller. However, cats and dogs do love the taste of the spider plant, and sometimes they will eat enough to make them sick. thank you so much for this informative and non-confusing article! JADE PLANTS ARE VERY TOXIC TO CATS. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. My cat was recently ill for 2 weeks from eating the leaves of this plant. This makes it easy to expand your plant collection. 3 people found this helpful. help. “Coleus canina, commonly known as Scaredy Cat plant, is a potable leafy plant that cats find offensive and makes a great buffer around other plants that your cat may find more desirable,” Dr. Kerri Marshall, Chief Veterinary Officer for Trupanion tells HGTVGardens. If roses aren't your thing, consider the Wandering Jew (Tradescantia). Rosemary is non-toxic, and be grown in containers. Yes, coleus is safe for humans. The Coleus is poisonous for both cats and dogs. Experiences include art, DIY, gardening, storm-spotting, caregiving, farming, reading, and kid wranglin'. If you choose to grow coleus for more than one season, you might consider trimming the plant back after … On the contrary, you only want such cats to be in certain areas of the home rather than others. Here are some of the most common plants poisonous to cats with mild symptoms: Some plants result in more severe poisoning. Additionally, if your cat eats any part of this plant , it will also develop gastrointestinal symptoms. Read more. If you don't want more coleus, be sure to pinch off the flowers before they start to seed, as one plant can parent hundreds of babies! Wandering Jew (Tradescantia) comes in many varieties, and is an excellent vining plant. No, it is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to both dogs and cats. Very useful and voted up! Try using an organic neem oil solution as a natural insecticide to get rid of houseplant pests without chemicals. Coleus contains an essential oil toxic to cats and dogs, which can cause skin irritations and burns if not diagnosed and treated right away. Even plants that are considered non-toxic have the potential to cause severe reactions for certain individuals. It doesn't need a lot of love, so if you forget about it for a few days, it will forgive you. Peperomia is a large genus of over 1000 small perennial plants that make great houseplants. Care info: Perfect for the low-light area in your home that seems to kill most plants.The less light it receives, the slower it will grow. I thought hibiscus might have been on the safe list. NOTE: Although coleus is listed as toxic for animals, I have hundreds in my yard and the pets never mess with them. If someone has extra seedlings, they can be transplanted to a pot and moved indoors. Use red pepper around plants to deter curious pets. This is not a toxic reaction. Although the coleus will bloom beautifully, they are usually selected as house plants because of their vibrant leaves. If Coleus Canina (the Scaredy Cat) or Ruta Graveolens isn’t for you, here’s a few other cat repellent plants you might want to try. It can quickly become invasive too. Here’s a list of some common plants that are toxic to cats: Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.) Boston ferns prefer a humid environment and indirect sunlight. The ASPCA says it is indeed toxic to pets. An eye opener infact. I think because plants are such strange things to her she tries to eat them all. Like dogs, cats are curious by nature and will occasionally get themselves into trouble on account of this. If you are good with plants though, you might try to raise a Boston fern. Safe for children? A rose is still a good choice if you have big south-facing windows, and plenty of extra time to devote to pampering it. There is a lot of information on the web about the dangers of this plant, and it is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by ASPCA. Coleus contains an essential oil toxic to cats and dogs, which can cause skin irritations and burns if not diagnosed and treated right away. I'm reading some of these comments..and I don't know what article you guys are reading..but, this article stats that Wandering Jews,Jade and Coleus are ALL toxic for animals.. Can you please update the title of this article to “A Random Mix of Toxic and Non-Toxic House Plants for Children, Cats, and Dogs” Thanks a bunch! This plant will vine and spread uncontrollably if it's left untrimmed. The violets can be propagated from leaf cuttings, and they root rather quickly. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) has a scary name, but it poses no threat to other living beings. I learned a lot from this. FlourishAnyway from USA on June 13, 2013: Good information. Jack-in-the-pulpit (Three-leaved indian turnip, Devil's dear, Wake robin, Starch wort, Wild turnip, Dragon root, Bog onion, Pepper turnip, Brown dragon, Memory root) | Scientific Names: Arisaema triphyllum | … What larger plant for inside are safe for cats? More specifically, Eastern Africa, where the climate is tropical. As long as you practice plant safety and choose suitable non-toxic plants, everyone can enjoy your house plants. Birds Nest Fern(Asplenium Nidus) Many people ask “are ferns toxic to cats”, well this one isn’t! Cats who eat toxic coleus plants can experience diarrhea and vomiting. This website is DANGEROUSLY wrong for animals. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Species in the Coleus genus are native to tropical and subtropical regions from southeast Asia to Australia, and are naturalized in many other tropical regions. They grow rapidly in the spring, but many people don't overwinter them, so they never bother repotting the plant. I never had a problem with house plants and my cats until my last cat, Stella, was introduced to our household. For people with children, Wandering Jew is an ideal alternative to the toxic pothos ivy. When kept as a houseplant, I water them well once a week. Keep large, heavy pots in a stable location so they cannot be tipped over. This is the one drawback to coleus plants: they are dangerous to pets and can trigger mild skin reactions in some people. The most common pests to infect coleus plants are aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs. The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a thick, meaty succulent with beautiful glossy leaves. She had been a feral kitty who lived in a factory environment and now is happily indoor only. It is evergreen, which makes it pleasant as a year-round house plant. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) Safe for dogs and cats? Essential Oils. Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on August 01, 2015: Jaymie, this was another excellent hub from you. Wandering Jew can make the backyard an unpleasant place for dogs. Typical symptoms include anorexia, bloody diarrhea, body tremor, depression, skin redness, and vomiting. According to the ASPCA, Boston ferns are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. They like full sun. fanghong via wikimedia commons CC-BY-SA 3.0. It is a great friendship plant too. Be careful where you toss its plant cuttings. If dogs or cats have access to the plant, consider cultivating Coleus Canina. However, the health benefits of having house plants outweigh the risks as long as you choose your plants with care and establish a few household rules regarding the foliage. Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on June 15, 2013: My mother had a number of these plants around the house when i was young, and we grew coleus regularly in the summer outdoors. Select your house plants carefully and place them out of reach so pets and children stay safe. TIP: The unpleasant odor of Coleus Canina is an effective deterrent for keeping animals away from vegetable gardens. They are associated with motherhood, and they are often given as Mother's Day gifts. A month later the heap was covered with these plants! One of my cats keeps getting sick.A kindly neighbour has just uprooted a plant that she saw her chewing on. If pets experience skin allergies, plants may have to be moved to a pet-free area or traded for a plant that doesn't produce a negative reaction. Although there are many types of plants that can be toxic to cats, most may actually be found in or around the home. Toxic to: Cats, dogs. They look beautiful while hanging from baskets, and they can be summered on your porch. Here are some herbs, flowers, and other outdoor plants that make safe, attractive house plants: In addition to being lovely, child and pet-friendly plants, herbs can be used to make natural cleaners, insect repellents, breath fresheners, grooming products, and more. Teach children which plants can be touched from an early age. Such as Jade on this pin. There's a variety of house plants that are safe for cats, both blooming and green plants. I have no small children, however, my son (31) has a dog and I have cats. Blooming plants such as the African violet, African daisy, and orchids won't harm your cat if she takes a bite. Coleus Canina -"Dogs Gone" -"Cats Gone" - Live Plant! With so many cat-safe plants out there, there’s no reason to risk your kitty’s life by planting a potentially dangerous type.Below are plants that you should avoid at all costs. This could be due to several reasons. It can save lives! Although there are many house plants that are considered safe, I will focus on varieties that are popular or common, including: You may already have many of these plants, or you may know someone who has a few of them. Plectranthus caninus is an herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to east Africa and southern Asia. Scarlet Coleus is safe for children, but it's not recommended for pets. Thank you for the post, but i just read that Jade plant is toxic. These plants root easily from cuttings or from just touching the ground. Bamboo is highly toxic to cats, avoid especially the “lucky bamboo” sold in stores. Regularly trim plants and clean up leaves, stems, and other debris to prevent choking or ingestion. 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