3 Pet-Friendly Alternatives to Sago Palm Plants

by Pierre C. Rumpf 10/16/2023

Palms are an excellent way to bring the tropics home. With many varieties to choose from, it's important to know which will work best for your household and everyone in it. Unlike the highly toxic sago palm, there are plenty of palm plants perfectly safe for pets and humans. Here are some suggestions to inspire you:

Parlor Palm

Parlor palms are a favorite indoor plant all over the world. In addition to being non-toxic, parlor palms can adapt well to low-light environments and cooler temperatures. With a parlor palm, less is more: they are sensitive both to sunburn and overwatering. They are a great beginner plant due to their low-maintenance care and are completely safe in case curious pets want to take a bite of its long fronds.

Areca Palm

Areca palms are another popular palm variety, also safe for animals. Unlike parlor palms, areca palms need bright, indirect light for as much of the day as possible to thrive. Placing your areca palm near a South-facing window will ensure it gets exactly the right amount of light. These palms like to keep their soil moist but are easy to overwater if you're not careful. To avoid this, let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, and try to use distilled water or rainwater to prevent browning of the leaves.

Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palms are a whimsical looking type of palm requiring minimal attention and maintenance. Incredibly drought-tolerant, the ponytail palm can go longer without watering than some other palms. It's also forgiving in less-than-ideal lighting situations, though it prefers bright, indirect light as much as possible. This plant loves to be outdoors during the summer months, but be sure to protect it from colder temperatures and drafts from air conditioner vents or windows when indoors.

All of these are excellent options for pet owners who want to bring a palm tree home. Remember these varieties when considering your next addition to your plant collection.

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.