Keep your furry friends safe while still enjoying the beauty and benefits of houseplants with non-toxic options. SLHL asked local landscapers to share their favorite houseplants safe for pets.

Chamaecyparis Hinoki Bonsai

Also known as the Hinoki Cypress Bonsai

Information Provided By: Chesterfield Valley Nursery

Water: Once a week.

Soil: Bonsai gravel or cactus/succulent potting soil.

Location + Light: Part sun / part shade.

Drainage: Well-drained. The planter should have a hole in the bottom for the water to drain out, otherwise the water will sit and rot the roots.

Repotting Tips: Repot once a year after root pruning in the winter time, as the plant is more dormant.

Fertilizer: Acidic fertilizer, every two weeks from early spring to autumn.

As this has been grown as a bonsai, trimming is essential. Bonsai care is more specific than caring for a regular plant. Pruning out the dead will help keep the foliage healthy. It is important to use specialized Bonsai pruning tools. Use only sharp bonsai pruners, because scissors will cause the foliage to brown. Over time you can start to shape your bonsai as you please! To keep the plant from growing too tall, we recommend root pruning once a year. This is when you unpot the plant and cut the larger, fatter roots. This should be done in the beginning or the end of winter. When root pruning, leave the small, fibrous roots. This stunts the growth which helps, over time, to maintain bonsai size.