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Bird's Nest Fern & Other Great Ferns for Pet Owners

by Vicky Kustov 12/24/2023

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 Fern

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 Fern

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 Fern

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.

About the Author
Author

Vicky Kustov

Experienced Realtor, Vicky Kustov, currently serves buyers and sellers located in and around Burlington and surrounding towns. Always holding client satisfaction as her highest priority, Vicky works hard to make the entire home buying and selling experience as productive and enjoyable as possible. Clients working with Vicky never fail to appreciate her consistency, professional integrity, and fierce efficiency.