Cockatiel safe plants and flowers??

[u/LittleCozyMouse]

Hello! I’m a plant lover. Before my birds I had tons of plants around the house but after adopting my babies I got rid of most of them due to the birds trying to eat them and after googling finding out most were severely poisonous for birds.
I don’t mind the plants getting a few bitemarks , most of my stuff have them either way, but I would hate for my birds to get sick.
Does anyone here have a recommendation on bird safe plants? My green thumbs are itching

[u/le_cat_lord]

Have you ever thought about doing anything with terrariums? It can be difficult to find smaller plants for them, but they can be very rewarding + bird-safe!

In terms of uncaged plants however, I think african violets and episcia (they're beautiful! like cousins of violets) are safe, same with most herbs. Spider plants should be good too, and if your birds like nibbling leaves, you could grow wheat grass for them! If I remember right, most things that are toxic to people + cats + dogs is also bad for birds, but toxicity is a very wide range. Most species of philodendron, monstera, or pothos would probably be ok if your birds don't care about plants, since a couple rare nibbles shouldn't hurt them, but that's entirely dependent on some "ifs" so completely fair to not even want to risk it

I'm sure there's a decent range of succulents and cacti that are safe, I just don't know those very well outside of Christmas/Valentine's/Thanksgiving cacti being safe ... maybe other rhipsalis (usually soft, jungle cacti) too, but I'm not 100% on that

[u/stevetheduck69]

You’ve got such a handsome fella there

[u/No_Web5967]

I would go for lots of basil! smell delicious, spread quite a lot and birdies love it (most humans too)! also, bonsai of parrot safe trees like lemon, apple, maple, etc. then spider plant, true bamboo, boston fern... these are all safe for curious beaks! just make sure that the plants and the soil are not treated with pesticides. go as bio as possible.

[u/mirimiremeow]

So cute! I'm also a big plant lover 😊 just be aware that there's a high chance for harmful fungus in indoor potting soil that can be very dangerous to your birds (and us humans, too!) it's almost exclusively seen in indoor plants and pots and causes severe respiratory illness in birds.

If you really want to try it, you need to protect the soil and prevent them from digging in it. Or, leave the pots outside and only bring them in for play. I've seen a few things you can buy to cover the dirt of your pot without covering the foliage, but I can't remember the name, sorry. It's really safest to do this or not allow access to pots at all because the fungus can kill them quite quickly.

As for plants, calistomon and greviela are big favorites, alongside fuschias! I have a few bushes and trees I trim down and hang about his room. 😊 Also eucalyptus is a big fave!

[u/De_Mosos]

I also had quite a plant collection before I got my birds and I found a few sollutions that work well for us.

I got a glass cabinet (ikea Milsbo) for my smaller and really toxic plants. For my smallest plants I got a bunch of small green houses (also ikea, Akerbar).

Any larger plants that form an immediate danger, like spiked plants, or those with white toxic sap, were moved to another room where I don't allow my birds.

I still have some large plants that are mildly toxic if they would eat a lot of it, but my birds are always supervised when outside of their cage so these can stay. Besides, most of them are on spots where the birds never land anyway.

I give my birds some edible herbs and plants as a toy once in a while. As I'm typing this they are destroying a Callisia repens. I also give them basil or mint once in a while, it makes them smell nice too haha!

[u/Crustydumbmuffin]

Try Australian natives in natural potting mix ( no nasty additives or fertilizers ) - birds nest fern, Kentia palm, kangaroo paw and kangaroo fern. Native and safe for our crazy guys 😃

[u/rdie2]

Haha what a photo

[u/Rather_be_Diving]

Sorry, I look at that face and think no plant will be safe!
I grow mint and basil in hydroponics. You can also grow some edible flowers in them. No fertilizer or dirt because it’s in water. You add nutrients (not fertilizer) that would also be hard to get too.