A couple of years ago Mom started buying Pet Safe, Air Purifying plants to filter pollution and toxins from our home. Recently, our pet safe Areca Palm “bit the dust” so we needed to replace it asap! So, Mom went to our favorite independent nursery to look at the air purifying household plants listed by the Humane Society of Texas. The first beautiful plant she saw as soon as she walked into the nursery was a beautiful Pachira aquatica – also known as a Money Tree. But, Is A Money Tree Plant Toxic to Dogs?
What is a Money Tree Plant?
A Money Tree is actually mutliple Pachinra aquatica plants braided together at the base which give them their distinct appearace! Pachinra aquatica are also known as Malabar chestnut, Guiana chestnut, provision tree, or saba nut plants. They are native to Mexico through Northern South America and can also grow up to 60 feet indoors! Money Trees are common Feng Shui household plants in East Asia – which is where the trunk braiding became popular.
Money Tree Meaning
Lore for the origins of the name “money tree” stems from a story about a poor man who prayed for money. He found an interesting plant, took it home and made money selling plants grown from it! Nowadays Money Trees are associated with good financial fortune and are often seen in businesses!
Money Tree Care
There’s tons of advice online on how to care for a Money Tree Houseplant. While it’s always a great idea to familiarize yourself with plant care information, the simplest advice came from Seaside Growers – our local, independent nursery. According to Seaside Growers, Money Tree Plants prefer well lighted rooms but not direct sun. They also need their soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. Since Money Trees can grow very tall, simply cut the new top growth off if needed!
Is a Money Tree Safe for Pets?
Money Trees are not only attractive and seemingly easy to care for, Money Trees are also Safe for Pets! WooHoo! While you never want to allow your pet to chew on house plants in general, Money Trees are non-toxic to cats and dogs so they make perfect gifts for fwiends with pets and for yourself!
Other Pet Safe House Plants
At the furSmiths, we also love our other Pet Safe Indoor Plants:
- Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
- Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) note: this is not a Rubber Tree which are toxic to pets
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Looking for more Health and Safety Tips for your Pup? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for lots of helpful info that you can implement daily!
If you think your pet has ingested anything potentially toxic call the Poison Control Hotline: (888)426-4435.
We recommend that you get your pet in the car and head to the emergency 24 hour vet while you are on hold with Poison Control!
