The Best Baby-Proof Plants

I have written a few posts about baby-proofing your plants. I have some helpful tips on how to keep your little one out of the soil and also some ideas of how to babyproof your plants in an aesthetically pleasing way. I’ve noticed some interest in the best baby-proof plants though so I’m going to name my top seven baby-proof plants below.

Tough Baby-Proof Plants

These tough plants have a chance at withstanding interactions with your not so delicate baby or toddler.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ Plant, or Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, is a deep green plant with glossy leaves. The stems are thick and bulbous. The ZZ Plant is hard to rip, which lands them in my classification as a tough plant. Even when I am purposefully trying to remove dead or damaged foliage, it can be difficult to the point of having to use scissors. ZZ Plants also score points for being very easy to care for because they can tolerate low light and do not need to be watered often, see some basic care instructions below.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Bright indirect light. Tolerates low light.	Let soil dry completely between waterings.	Well draining potting soil.	A few times per growing season.

Norfolk Island Pine

Norfolk Island Pine is not actually a Pine although it looks similar. They are often widely available during the Holidays due to their resemblance to Christmas trees. The branches of the Norfolk Island Pine are very flexible and the leaves, or needles, are very soft to the touch. It’s truly indestructable. We have one that’s about four feet tall in our breakfast nook which is the main breezeway for my toddler when she wants to chase. I can’t tell you how many times we run into the branches when we chase and they never show any signs of breaking.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Bright to moderate direct light.	Keep soil moist but not soggy.	Well draining potting soil.	Monthly during the growing season.

Boston Fern

Boston Ferns are green and leafy. They are generally wider than they are tall. People often hang them, but they can go just as well on a shelf or table if you have the room. Note, not all ferns are created equal. Boston Ferns are in fact tough, then leaves hold up to handling and they are difficult to rip. Other fern varieties like Asparagus Fern and Maiden Hair Fern are not baby-proof in the slightest.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Bright indirect light. Tolerates low light.	Keep soil moist but not soggy.	Well draining potting soil.	Monthly during the growing season.

Snake Plant

Snake Plants are composed of clumps of tall slender leaves. The foliage comes in several color varieties. I would characterize Snake Plants a medium tough, meaning not as tough as the first three recommendations. Snake Plants are difficult to rip but can be snapped somewhat easily if bent in half. I’ve had really great luck with Snake Plants around my toddler, we keep two on the floor on either side of our fireplace and they were instrumental in us teaching her to be easy with plants.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Moderate to bright indirect light. Tolerates low light.	The top inch of soil should be dry before watering.	Well draining potting soil.	A few times per growing season.

Fast-Growing Baby-Proof Plants

The fast-growing plants may not survive your toddler’s vice grip, but they grow very quickly so you don’t have to fret too much if a leaf gets ripped off here or there.

Pothos

Pothos come in many varieties which sport different colors and color patterns. Pictured above is a Marble Queen Pothos. Other popular varieties are the Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, and Satin Pothos. Not only do Pothos grow quickly, but they also make great hanging plants as well. And truly the only real way to baby-proof a plant is to make it inaccessible. Pothos are also extremely easy to care for.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Bright indirect light. Tolerates low light.	The top inch of soil should be dry before watering.	Well draining potting soil.	Monthly during the growing season.

Philodendron

Philodendrons come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. Some varieties look very similar to the Pothos with very compact leafy vines. These ones grow fast and they are easy to care for. Many Philodendrons also do well in hanging planters as well. In addition, Philodendrons very readily propagate which can be a fun experiment or project to do with an older toddler.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Moderate to bright indirect light.	The top inch of soil should be dry before watering.	Well draining potting soil.	A few times per growing season.

Spider Plant

Spider Plants have long thin leaves. The leaves can be white and green, or just green. They often sprout small plantlets off of long skinny growth. These are extremely easy to propagate into new plants. Spider plants grow quickly and like the other fast-growing plants, go well in hanging baskets. With the right care and conditions, they also bloom small white flowers.

Light Needs	Watering Needs	Soil Needs	Fertilizing Needs
Bright indirect light. Tolerates low light.	The top inch of soil should be dry before watering.	Well draining potting soil.	Every 2- 4 weeks during the growing season.

What are your favorite baby-proof plants? Share in the comments.