Pet-Friendly Plants and Flowers to Grow In Your Home

Let me tell you something about pets and plants, after 17 years running Lily's Florist and dealing with thousands of flower orders, I've heard some absolute horror stories. Like the time a customer called us in tears because their labrador had munched on their Mother's Day lilies and ended up at the emergency vet. That call still haunts me, if I recall, it was around February 2008.

Back when we had our little florist shop in Kingscliff, my daughter, Asha (who was barely walking then), would toddle around between the flower buckets with our shop cat, Grayson. That cat had a particular talent for knocking over anything green and leafy, which taught us pretty quickly which plants needed to go up high and which ones were safe at ground level.

The Plants That Won't Land Your Furry Mate at the Vet

After years of conversations with pet owners (and a few close calls with Grayson), here are the plants I'd happily have in my home with pets:

African Violets

These little beauties were actually one of our best sellers for hospital visits because they're completely safe if someone's therapy dog decides to have a nibble. They don't need much light either, which is brilliant for those darker corners where your cat can't reach anyway. We had a regular customer in Pottsville who grew about 20 of these because her Persian cats were plant destroyers.

Orchids

Now, orchids are interesting. They're safe for pets but cats seem to think they're particularly delicious. It's a trick I learned from Anna and Will, two great florists who used to work with us: dust the leaves with cayenne pepper. Sounds mean, but it works a treat and doesn't hurt them. Just makes them think twice about having a taste.

Prayer Plants

Also called Peacock Plants, these were always popular in our "pet-safe" section. They're fussy though - need conditions like a greenhouse. Think of them as the high-maintenance friend who's worth the effort.

Roses

Here's where it gets tricky. Roses themselves aren't toxic, but those thorns? I've seen dogs with scratched noses from being too curious, our own cavoodle, Bindi, is a perfect example! If you're growing roses with pets, chuck a little fence around them. Simple as that.

Sunflowers

Absolute champions. Nothing toxic about them at all. We used to grow these in our backyard in Pottsville and our neighbour's golden retriever would stick his head through the fence just to be near them. Completely safe, and you can even eat the seeds yourself.

Air Plants (Tillandsia)

These are genius for pet owners because they don't need soil. Hang them up high, stick them on the wall, wherever your four-legged friends can't reach. No soil means no digging either, which is a bonus if you've got a cat who thinks every pot is a toilet.

Training Your Pets (Because Let's Be Honest, They Run the House)

Over the 17 years, I've picked up some tricks from customers and our own experiences:

Start with barriers. When we first brought plants into our home office in Pottsville when Lily's Florist a born, so to speak, we used baby gates. Same ones we used for our kids, actually. Pets understand physical boundaries pretty quickly.

That bitter apple spray stuff? It works. Smells awful, tastes worse, but it's safe and keeps them away. Coffee grounds work too - most pets hate the smell. We discovered this by accident when I spilled my morning coffee near the ferns.

The main thing is consistency. If the dining room is off limits for plant nibbling on Monday, it needs to be off-limits on Tuesday too. Pets are smart but they're not mind readers.

When Things Go Wrong (Because Sometimes They Do)

I'll never forget the panic in that customer's voice when their dog ate the lily, yes back in the day we had these random calls, before the "interwebs" of things really took off. Here's what I learned from our vet in Casuarina (and unfortunately, from experience):

Watch for vomiting, drooling, or if they're suddenly not interested in dinner. Any breathing problems? Straight to the vet. Don't muck around.

Keep your vet's number handy. Take a photo of the plant if you can. Don't try to make them vomit unless the vet tells you to, sometimes it makes things worse.

Making It Work in Your Space

You know what worked brilliantly in our home? Going vertical. Wall shelves, hanging baskets, tall plant stands, basically anything to get plants up and away. We turned our whole wall into a plant display in the Pottsville house. Looked amazing and kept everything safe.

Terrariums are brilliant too. It's like putting your plants in a protective bubble. Plus they look pretty flash.

The Seasonal Switch-Up

Different seasons bring different options. Spring? Snapdragons and African Daisies. Summer? Marigolds and Zinnias. Autumn gives you Chrysanthemums (just make sure they're the pet-safe variety). Winter? Christmas Cactus is your friend.

We used to rotate our displays in the shop seasonally (mainly early on in 2007), and I still do it at home. Keeps things interesting and gives you a chance to try new pet safe options.

The Ones to Absolutely Avoid

This is serious stuff. These plants can kill:

• Lilies (especially dangerous for cats)
• Sago Palms (we refused to stock these)
• Azaleas
• Daffodils
• Oleander
• Autumn Crocus

I've seen the aftermath of pets eating these. It's not pretty and it's not worth the risk.

After all these years in the flower business, here's what I know: you can absolutely have a house full of beautiful plants AND keep your pets safe. It just takes a bit of planning and knowing what to avoid.

Whether you're buying from us or growing your own, just remember, when in doubt, Google it or ask an expert. Your pets are counting on you to keep them safe, and trust me, a trip to the emergency vet is way more expensive than choosing the right plants in the first place.

What should I do immediately if I think my pet has eaten a toxic plant?

Stay calm and act quickly. First, gently remove any remaining plant material from your pet’s mouth. Second, identify the plant if possible (take a photo). Third, call your local veterinarian or the Animal Poisons Helpline immediately. Do not try to induce vomiting unless a professional instructs you to do so.

Are lilies really that dangerous, especially for cats?

Yes, unequivocally. All parts of the lily plant (flower, stem, leaves, and even the pollen) are extremely toxic to cats. Ingesting even a tiny amount or drinking the vase water can lead to rapid and often fatal kidney failure. We cannot stress this enough: lilies and cats should never be in the same house.

What if I receive a mixed bouquet as a gift? How can I make it safe?

This is a great question. The safest approach is to identify the flowers in the arrangement. You can use a plant identification app or Google the flowers if you recognise them. Remove any blooms you know to be toxic (like lilies) and immediately place the bouquet in a room that your pets cannot access.

Is the water in a flower vase harmful if my pet drinks it?

Yes, it can be. As flowers sit in water, toxins from the plant can leach out, making the water itself poisonous. Additionally, the flower food preservatives and any bacteria that develop in the water can cause significant stomach upset for both cats and dogs. It's best to ensure pets can't drink from any vase.

If I want to order a 'safe' bouquet right now, what's your top recommendation?

For a beautiful and completely worry-free choice, you can never go wrong with a bright bunch of Sunflowers. Classic Roses are also an excellent non-toxic option, just be mindful of the thorns. For a potted plant, African Violets are a fantastic and safe choice that bring long-lasting colour.

Are puppies and kittens more susceptible to plant poisoning?

Yes, they are generally at a higher risk for two main reasons. Firstly, their smaller body size means a smaller amount of a toxic substance can have a much more severe effect. Secondly, their natural curiosity and teething instincts make them far more likely to chew on and ingest plants they shouldn't.

Besides being toxic, can 'safe' plants still harm my pet?

Absolutely. As we mentioned with roses, thorns can cause scratches, cuts, or even eye injuries. Plants with very sharp, fibrous leaves can be a choking hazard or cause internal irritation if swallowed. Always consider the physical shape and texture of a plant, not just its toxicity.