If your pet likes to nibble on the greenery from time to time, it’s important that they can only access plants that are safe for them to ingest! Rather than memorising a full list of safe and unsafe plants, it’s better to group them into easy categories that make plant shopping a breeze.
Generally, ferns like a consistent level of moisture in their soil, which means that frequent watering is key. For you, this may mean watering once every one or two weeks. They aren’t low-light plants, and need to be in a well-lit spot. Morning sun is great for them, but otherwise you want to keep them in a bright space.
Ferns are very easy plants to grow but get a lot of bad press; generally, all they need is a bright spot and moist soil! It is much simpler than you think! Click here to learn how to care for every fern ever!
Maidenhair Ferns, Boston Fern, Macho Fern, Hares Foot Fern, Blue Star Fern, Leather Leaf Fern, and Birdsnest Ferns.
The container for your kentia palm matters, too. You’ll want to make sure it has a drainage hole or a soil mixture (part sand) that allows for adequate drainage. When watering, check the top inch of the soil for moisture. If it’s dry one inch down, then give it a drink. Kentia palms like to dry out in between waterings, so be careful not to overwater.
The kentia palm is a forgiving plant that can thrive in various spaces throughout your home, and it’s feathery leaves can grow up to a foot long, making it look like you really knew how to bring out the best in your plant, even if you forgot to water it a few times.
While they are forgiving, it’s always best to aim for optimal care for any plant. The kentia palm prefers indirect sunlight, but can also thrive in low light conditions—never direct sunlight. It would enjoy sunlight filtered through a curtain, but could also do well on a wall further away from your window as long as it is getting some light.
Doesn’t the beginning of summer just put you in a palm tree state of mind? Palm trees look happy no matter the season, but there are a lot of indoor palm varieties to sort through. If you’re a beginner plant owner who wants to take on a larger (but still easy) type of plant, a beautiful and practical pick is the kentia palm (Howea forsteriana).
Originally from Australia, and now one of the most popular houseplant palm trees in the world, the kentia palm is sometimes referred to as the paradise palm. It can withstand some neglect and tolerates dry indoor air and even low light conditions, making it the “snake plant” of palm trees. Sometimes reaching up to 10 feet indoors, it looks great in a floor planter, and can add some height to your current plant collection.
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If your pet likes to nibble on the greenery from time to time, it’s important that they can only access plants that are safe for them to ingest! Rather than memorising a full list of safe and unsafe plants, it’s better to group them into easy categories that make plant shopping a breeze.
Generally, ferns like a consistent level of moisture in their soil, which means that frequent watering is key. For you, this may mean watering once every one or two weeks. They aren’t low-light plants, and need to be in a well-lit spot. Morning sun is great for them, but otherwise you want to keep them in a bright space.
Ferns are very easy plants to grow but get a lot of bad press; generally, all they need is a bright spot and moist soil! It is much simpler than you think! Click here to learn how to care for every fern ever!
Common varieties to look out for in Melbourne indoor plant nurseries:
Maidenhair Ferns, Boston Fern, Macho Fern, Hares Foot Fern, Blue Star Fern, Leather Leaf Fern, and Birdsnest Ferns.
Pileas & Peperomias
These are perfect if you are looking for something that stays small. These plants are all very low-maintenance, and generally will only need water once they are very dry, because they are so succulent. Peperomia obtusifolia can definitely tolerate lower lighting, but generally these plants do best in a well-lit space.
Most Pileas and Peperomias have the same care. Read our care guide here!
Common varieties to look out for in Melbourne indoor plant nurseries:
Peperomia obtusifolia, Peperomia caperata, Pilea peperomioides (Money Plant), Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant).
Hanging Plants
Finding a hanging plant that is pet friendly can be hard, but there are definitely still heaps of options. Hanging jungle cacti such as Rhipsalis, Epiphyllum, and Lepismium have super unique foliage and beautiful flowers. These are all super low maintenance.
There are tons of Hoya varieties to choose from. These are very well-known for their stunning flowers and fast growth. They love to be in a cramped pot and are happy to dry out! Definitely keep these in a bright space.
Cissus rhombifolia/antarctica are very fast growing plants that come from the grape vine family (Vitaceae), and are happy to grow inside or outside in a bright spot. These plants can hang, but can also climb using their tendrils to wrap around any support they find.
Chain of Hearts are a fast-growing option that requires very little water. They actually grow quite well in a dimly lit space too! Their vines will hang straight down and can become several metres long.
Other plants to check out:
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum), Orchids (Phalaenopsis), Bromeliads, Fittonia, air plants (Tillandsia) and Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra).
FAQ
Are Kentia palms poisonous?
What happens if a cat eats a palm leaf?
Sometimes reaching up to 10 feet indoors, it looks great in a floor planter, and can add some height to your current plant collection. Another plus for our furry friend owners: according to the ASPCA, the kentia palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
