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Your home is a direct reflection of your style, taste, and preferences. If you are looking to bring a bit of nature inside, plants are the perfect addition to any space. From large trees to small succulents, areas can be spruced up with a bit of greenery.
The only concern that comes with adding plants to your home is if you have a dog or a cat since pets may chew on the leaves and some plants can be toxic for them. Here are seven safe plants that can add brightness to your home, while protecting the furriest members of your family.
African Violet
As you can guess by their name, this plant is native to Tanzania according to TreeHugger. If you are looking for an indoor plant, this is your best bet. It is only grown inside because it prefers average temperatures and humidity. African violets can be identified by their purple flowers that bloom all year-round. In addition to purple, the flowers can also be red, white, pink, or blue.
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Calathea
Calathea plants can have different leaf shapes, according to The Sill, which are used in Brazil for crafts and to wrap food. This plant will raise its leaves at night and then lower them during the day, according to the sun. In terms of care, Calathea should be watered every one to two weeks and it prefers bright indirect light.
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Parlor Palm
Another pet safe plant is the parlor palm. According to Tree Hugger This plant is native to Central America and is a perfect indoor plant for any climate. It should be placed in areas that are a bit shady. If you are still developing your green thumb, this is an excellent choice as they need only minimal care.
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Spider Plant
If your home doesn’t get much light, consider buying a spider plant. This plant can thrive even in indirect light according to Gardening Know How. A spider plant is one of the easiest plants to grow. The soil should be well-drained and the plant should be placed in a cooler area of your home.
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Dwarf Banana Plant
The dwarf banana plant that is native to southeast Asia has large, wide leaves and can grow up to six feet tall according to Tree Hugger. To take care of this plant, you must provide enough water and room for the roots. Also, the dwarf banana plant cannot be placed in a cold room and requires bright light.
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Christmas Cactus
This Brazilian plant, according to Ultimate Pet Nutrition, only blooms for a few weeks during the winter around Christmas time. This plant has branches that hang down and green shiny leaves with beautiful flower petals. In order to care for the Christmas cactus, make sure to invest in good quality soil and keep it a bit wet. This is especially important when the plant is in bloom. Since this plant cactus likes a more humid climate, you can spray a bit of water on the leaves.
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Boston Fern
This plant loves humidity so the bathroom makes a perfect spot to place the Boston fern. You should also mist the leaves a few times each week, suggests Patch. The plant does best in some shade, so it shouldn’t be placed right next to the window. The Boston fern should only be watered whenever you notice that the top soil feels a bit dry.
Boston fern houseplants are safe for cats and dogs.
