Pet safe Succulents
Pet safe Succulents
Most Succulents are safe for animals. We have three dogs and a cat which spend every day in the nursery with us. The only plant which receives any of their attention is the patch of Catnip we have growing in one of the greenhouses. Smudge our cat visits it every morning and gives it a daily nip. We recommend the following plants as being pet friendly:
Aeonium are wonderfully sculptural plants with rosettes of glossy leaves at the tips of their branches. There are just over 30 species and most of them occur on the Canary Islands. They create striking focal points either in a container, mixed succulent arrangement or rockery. They will also grow well on a sunny window sill indoors. Aeonium differ from many other plants in that they actively grow during the autumn and winter months and have a dormant period in the hot summer months.
Sedum is a large and diverse family of succulents, ranging from ground covers to shrubs. Their foliage is highly varied in form and colour. Star-shaped flowers appear mainly in summer and attract butterflies and other insects to the garden. Sedum are extremely adaptable plants and can grow in a wide range of harsh conditions and require very little care once established. Use these undemanding plants to transform your mixed succulent arrangements, rockeries, succulent gardens, pathways, containers, hanging baskets, retaining walls and even green roofs or living walls. They are excellent plants for beginners to the world of succulents.
Echeveria is a family of 150 species of succulents from Mexico and Central America. They are commonly known as Mexican Hen and Chicks. Most Echeveria produce offsets around the base of the mother plant and grow to form large attractive clumps. They are prized for their attractive rosettes which vary greatly in size, colour and shape. Echeveria are been hybridised extensively and there are many beauties for fanciers to choose from and collect. They make striking centrepieces for potted succulent arrangements, rockeries and even floral art arrangements.
Sempervivum commonly known as Hen & chicks are popular succulents. These are tough little plants which adapt easily to growing under a wide range of different conditions.
Rewarding plants to grow they multiply quickly by growing new plantlets all around the mother plant. These can grow to form dense carpets. Their small rosettes are extremely varied in colour, form and texture. They are perfectly suited to adding to mixed succulent arrangements and growing in containers.
Portulacaria afra commonly known as Pork Bush or Spekboom
A remarkable South African plant. Popular around the world for its extreme effectiveness in carbon sequestration. Absorbs between 4 to 10 tons of carbon per hectare.
An attractive, evergreen succulent shrub which can grow to 3 metres in height. Also available in a dwarf groundcover form as well as forms with attractive golden or variegated leaves.
The small, round, fleshy leaves contrast beautifully against the red brown stems of the plant. A profusion of small starry pink flowers appear in late winter to spring, providing a rich source of nectar for many insects which in turn attracts insectivorous birds.
Spekboom is the perfect plant to use as a screen or hedge. It can be clipped regularly to maintain a desired shape and height.
Spekboom also make the most awesome bonsai subjects.
Perfectly suited to growing in containers and provides a lovely contrast and height interest in mixed succulent arrangements.
Grows well indoors and is a good choice for people who are inclined to forget to water their indoor plants.
Faucaria are commonly known as Tiger Jaws. They are fascinating and ferocious-looking little plants. Their common name refers to their toothed, triangular shaped leaves which are produced in pairs and seem to be held ajar waiting in anticipation. They mostly bear large bright yellow flowers during autumn and winter which open late morning and close again in the late afternoon. The threadlike structures along their leaf margins are actually an adaptation to collect water vapour from the air and channel it down to the roots of the plant. They are really easy to grow and are recommended for beginners to the world of succulents. Perfectly suited to growing in containers, they will also grow indoors in bright light conditions. This fun and quirky looking plant is guaranteed to be a conversation piece in your home.
Haworthia is a relatively large family of plants endemic to Southern Africa. They vary greatly in structure and form and even more so in the striking texture and patterning of their foliage. They are mostly small, rosette forming succulents which multiply to form clusters and are relatively slower growing. They are low maintenance plants and are recommended for beginners to the world of succulents. They grow surprisingly well indoors in bright light conditions. Perfectly suited to growing on a table/counter top, desk, window sill or a mixed succulent arrangement.
Other recommended succulents include: Adromischus, Anacampseros, Delosperma, Gasteria, Graptopetalum, Lithops, Pachyphytum and Pachyveria.
Should you have a curious pet that might just decide to have an occasional snack on a plant then it is best to avoid keeping the following succulent families in your collection:
Adenium, Crassula, Curio, Euphorbia, Kalanchoe and Senecio.
Alternatively ensure that you keep these plants well out of the reach of pets and young children. If you suspect that your pet has eaten one of these plants, then it is best to contact your vet immediately. Please note that the above list of plants is in no way exhaustive and there may be more varieties than those listed which could cause an adverse reaction in pets.
