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How To Protect Plants From Toddlers – 11 Tips Guide

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Toddlers are notorious for being curious and exploring their surroundings. Unfortunately, this can often lead to them picking at or destroying plants.

If you have plants in your home that you want to protect from curious toddlers, there are a few things you can do. In this article, we’ll discuss how to protect plants from toddlers.

Does having a baby means you’d have to give up on your passion for plants? The good news is that you don’t have to give up on decorating your home with beautiful accent plants. All it takes are some simple precautions for children, and then everything will be perfect!

All you need to do is childproof those plant babies so they can stay in their natural habitat without getting hurt or become tangled up too much by your little ones, who seem like they want nothing more than playtime at every turn.

Learning how to protect plants from toddlers is valuable for any plant-loving parent. Plants are great for adding some life to a room, and they can also improve the air quality in your home.

However, plants can also be dangerous for toddlers. Toddlers are curious and exploring, which can often pick at or destroy them.

How To Protect Plants From Toddlers
via Pixabay

A Guide How To Protect Plants From Toddlers

Babies are keen to explore everything around them and try out their developing sense of taste. Toddlers are curious by nature, and they’ll try to touch and taste anything they come across.

If you have plants in your home that need protection from toddlers’ destructive curiosity, then here’s how to protect plants from toddlers. There is a lot one can do to protect these innocent but vulnerable creatures!

Keep Plants Out of Reach

This is perhaps the most effective way to protect plants from toddlers. Place the plants out of reach, either on a high shelf or in a room that the toddler cannot access.

If this is not possible or practical, another option is to surround the plant with a barrier that the toddler cannot penetrate. This could be a fence, netting, or even just large rocks placed around the base of the plant. If plants are out of reach, toddlers will not tamper with them.

Keep the Plants off the Ground

When you have a child, the need for babyproofing your home becomes more important than ever. One of those ways is by ensuring that plants are out-of-reach on ground level.

As toddlers grow into young children and start learning to reach them by climbing onto furniture, you’ll need to opt for other preventive measures then.

Use an Elevated Plant Stand

Another option is to use a plant stand. This will elevate the plant and make it more difficult for toddlers to reach.

Cover the Plant with Chicken Wire or Screen

You can also cover them with chicken wire or a screen for smaller plants. This will protect the plant but still allow it to get air and light.

Plant thorny Bushes Around Them

One way to keep toddlers away from plants is to plant thorny bushes around them. The thorny bushes will act as a barrier, and the toddler will not get through.

Use a Protective Covering

If you’re worried about plants being knocked over or damaged, you can use a clear plastic cover. This will provide protection while still allowing light and air to reach the plant.

Teach your Toddler about the Plants

Finally, it is also important to teach your toddler about plants and not touch or pick at them. If they see you doing it, they are likely to copy you. Explain to them why it is important to leave the plants alone and offer them a suitable alternative to play with.

Explain that they are living things and need to be treated with care. Show them how to touch and water the plants gently. With proper supervision and guidance, toddlers can appreciate plants without causing damage.

Opt for Pocket Plants

If you have an old cupboard that’s just sitting around taking up space, use it to display plants instead of keeping everything in the closet. The best part about this idea? Your kids can play with their favorite green toys without getting too close and therefore being irritated by all those pesky roots!

How To Protect Plants From Toddlers 2
via Pxhere

Switch to Vertical Gardens

If you want to add plants to your home but are worried about protecting them from toddlers, you can switch to vertical gardens. Vertical gardens are a great way to add greenery to your home without having to worry about toddler damage.

There are many different types of vertical gardens available, so you can find one that fits your needs and style. Vertical gardens are also a great way to save space, which is ideal if you have a small home or apartment. 

Spray the Plant with Bitter Solution

Another way to protect plants from toddlers is to make them unpalatable. This can be done by spraying the plants with a bitter-tasting solution. These are available at most nurseries and garden stores. The bitter spray will make the plant taste bad and deter the toddler from eating it.

Choose the Kid-Friendly Non-Toxic Plants

It’s always a challenge to find the right balance between looking after your children and maintaining an enjoyable household. One way you can keep things interesting while still being kind is by opting for toxic-free kid-friendly plants that won’t mind some neglect on your part!

Kid-friendly plants are perfect for busy parents since you’ll likely be juggling your baby and all their needs, it’s important to choose plant species that can tolerate some neglect—like Christmas cacti, or Burro tail ferns are all great examples of this type of plants.

With these tips, you should protect your plants from curious toddlers. Just remember to be patient and consistent, and soon your toddler will learn to leave the plants alone. Good luck!


Final Remarks

As new parents, you might have a decision to make: do you discard your plants the moment that baby arrives or take some measures, so they don’t get in their way?

I believe this entirely depends on what kind of environment Baby will be living in. If parents feel their home can’t do without bright and beautiful greenery, at least purchase non-toxic options—and even if they are safe for children, try out these tips listed here! Your little one’s safety always comes first.

Kids love to dig through soil and eat the dirt. Babies, in particular, seem fascinated with flowers, frequently spending more time playing around their petals than anything else!

To save plants from toddlers, you don’t have to resort to harsh methods. With a little creativity and supervision, your plants can thrive while toddlers learn to respect them.

One option is to place the plants in areas that are out of reach, such as on top of furniture or an elevated stand. You can also use a protective covering if you’re worried about the plants being knocked over.

Finally, it is also important to teach your toddler about plants and not touch or pick at them. With proper supervision and guidance, toddlers can learn to appreciate plants without causing damage.

With these tips, you should protect your plants from curious toddlers. Just remember to be patient and consistent, and soon your toddler will learn to leave the plants alone. Now that you know how to protect plants from toddlers, you can rest easy knowing that your plants are safe!

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