Ferns have been popular houseplants for decades. Despite their reputation for being picky about indoor conditions, ferns are easy to care for when given the right conditions. A great advantage to many ferns is their lack of toxicity, making them safe for households with pets. If you're interested in growing ferns at home, varieties like the bird's nest fern are perfect additions to your houseplant collection. Here are some other pet-safe ferns to consider:
Boston ferns are an iconic houseplant found in homes around the world. These round, bushy plants are perfect for hanging baskets or tall pedestals. They prefer bright light and warm temperatures, and grow quickly when given the perfect conditions. Boston ferns make great plants for pet owners because while their long, feathery fronds might be tempting for animals to chew on, they're completely non-toxic.
Maidenhair ferns produce fluffy mounds of delicate leaves. While they don't require much light, they are more picky than other ferns about humidity, and will get crispy and brown if it's too dry. Maidenhair ferns are great candidates for bathrooms with moderate light, or with a nearby humidifier to keep the air moist. Tiny versions of this plant are popular picks for terrariums due to their high-humidity demands, but no matter where you grow them at home, they pose zero risk to your pets.
Crocodile ferns offer vivid color and striking texture to a home environment. Their leaf pattern and texture is what inspired their name, resembling reptile scales. These ferns like to have evenly moist soil and indirect light but are more forgiving than some other ferns with humidity. Crocodile ferns can grow very large indoors if given the perfect conditions, some reaching five feet in height and diameter. If a pet decides to take a bite of this fern, you don't need to worry about their health. While ingesting an entire leaf might cause intestinal distress, the plant is completely non-toxic and safe to grow around animals.
Stephanie Englund Siegel is a successful Realtor with Compass. She was born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Living in the city for over almost 20 years has given Stephanie the in depth knowledge of many neighborhoods. Stephanie feels that Chicago's culturally diverse residents are what contribute to the richness and quality of life in its neighborhoods. Before joining the Compass Family, she worked as a paralegal for a real estate attorney which gave her the knowledge about every step in a transaction. From the very beginning of the process all the way to the end, Stephanie is dedicated to her clients and the success of the transaction so both parties get a win-win. Stephanie serves real estate needs in the following neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Loop, West Loop, South Loop, Lakeview, River north, Lincoln Square, Wrigleyville, Ravenswood, Greater Chicago area and surrounding suburbs.
