https://www.chewy.com/education/bird/general/decorate-your-home-or-aviary-with-bird-safe-plants
*Not sure where to start? The Bird General Education Hub offers foundational advice for bird care across a variety of species. From cage setup and enrichment to grooming, nutrition, and common health concerns, this hub covers best practices to help your feathered friend thrive.
Live plants can be a beautiful and enriching addition to a bird’s cage or aviary, offering natural elements that stimulate foraging and exploration.
Safe plant options for birds include spinach, kale, basil, mint, and bamboo, as well as decorative choices like dogwood branches, orchids, African violets, rubber trees, and parlor palms.
These plants not only make your bird’s space look nice by adding colors, but they also help your bird do natural things like perch and nibble.Herbs are especially safe and useful because they smell good and are safe for your bird to eat.
However, live plants also come with challenges.
Soil can harbor harmful bacteria, fungi, or parasites, and birds may chew pots or consume contaminated dirt.
Cleaning becomes more complicated with potted plants in the cage, and pest control becomes tricky since chemical sprays can't be used near birds.
Some experts recommend offering only leaves or branches instead of entire potted plants, especially to avoid health risks. Placing rocks over soil can help minimize access and pest issues.
Ultimately, if you are unsure about a plant’s safety or your bird is sick or injured, it is best to avoid live plants altogether and rely on trusted safe plant lists.
Chewy editorial team highlights 10 excellent plant choices that are safe for birds, offering both beauty and enrichment to their environment. In addition to these, even though many herbs and leafy greens are generally safe, it is very important to know and avoid toxic plants like lilies, philodendrons, and oleander, which can pose serious health risks to birds.
By selecting only bird safe plants and steering clear of harmful ones, you create a space that supports your bird’s well being and natural behaviors.
A thoughtfully chosen environment helps your feathered companion feel secure, engaged, and at home by your side.
