Popular but Pet-Toxic Indoor Plants Unfit for a Home on Sale
Highly recommended but unsafe for cats and dogs, indoor plants to avoid using when staging your property for sale in case buyers bring their pets along.
CAUTION: For property sellers, always do your own research. Consult a veterinary doctor and plant experts for professional advice. Give your agent a list of plants on display with ample information to best prepare for upcoming showings and walk-throughs.
A great way to decorate your home is with plants. Having a few pots of greenery around the house is refreshing and can highlight features of the home. They also are scientifically proven to contribute to your overall well-being and health. However, if you have a cat or dog as a companion, there are plants you should steer clear of. This is especially important when you leave for work and your furry friends are left alone for hours. Choose pet-safe alternatives when your home is on the market, as potential buyers may bring their pets along. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Buy plants from a reputable nursery or establishment. Doing so can be helpful in many ways. A key benefit is getting a learning experience. This is your opportunity to seek advice from the professional on-site on which plants will be best for you given your home environment, daily routine, readiness for plant parenting, and pets.
If you already have the plants or decided on what to buy, please skim through the list below of 7 highly recommended indoor plants commonly seen in Philippine households that are unfit to have around cats and dogs.
7 Popular but Pet-Toxic Plants Unfit To Stage a Property for Sale
Sago Palm
The Sago Palm is a popular ornamental but is highly toxic to cats and dogs. Every part of the plant, including the leaves and seeds, contains a toxin called cycasin. Ingesting any part of the Sago Palm can cause severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, and even death. If you have a Sago Palm in your home, it's best to keep it out of reach of your pets or replace it with pet-safe areca and parlor palms.
Jade Plant
The Jade Plant, also known as Crassula ovata, is a succulent that is toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves of the Jade Plant contain a substance called bufadienolides, which can cause vomiting, depression, and a slow heart rate if ingested by pets. It's important to keep this plant out of reach of your furry friends or opt for an elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) instead.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a popular houseplant known for its glossy green leaves. While it's a low-maintenance plant, it can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. The ZZ Plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Consider growing a cast-iron plant instead. It requires little maintenance and prefers indirect sunlight just like the Zz plant but better.
Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise, or Strelitzia reginae, is a tropical plant with vibrant orange and blue flowers. While it adds a touch of exotic beauty to any space, it's important to remember that it's toxic to cats and dogs. Ingesting any part of the Bird of Paradise can cause gastrointestinal upset, drooling, and even, difficulty breathing. Best consider other colorful exotics yet pet-friendly alternatives.
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a popular houseplant known for its elegant white flowers. However, it's important to note that all parts of the Peace Lily contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing when ingested. A candidate to switch to are the moth or Phalaenopsis orchids which are just as sophisticated and safe to have around your pets.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that is well-known for its medicinal properties. While it benefits humans, it can be toxic to cats and dogs when eaten. The gel inside the Aloe Vera plant contains anthraquinones, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in pets. If you have an Aloe Vera plant at home, keep it away from dogs and cats. Consider a combination of sempervivums, sedum donkey tails, and echeverias instead.
Devil's Ivy or Pothos
Devil's Ivy, also known as Pothos or Epipremnum aureum, is a popular trailing houseplant toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves of the Devil's Ivy contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by pets. Decorate with a Chinese money plant instead.
When your home is on the market expect buyers to tour the house at a moment's notice. Moreover, you will not know the people touring your home. Prepare for a diverse audience including those with a mobile toddler who puts everything in their mouths and pets.
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