Lavender?

[LordTriggs]

So I've been enjoying the addition of Lavender fragrances in my home for a while to calm my nerves and thought to myself, "why not enjoy the look of the plant too?"

I do want to check first though if anyone knows if Lavender is a safe plant to have around the house with a fid both in terms of smell and their air-sacs, also small and inevitable chewing/snacking that will happen.

Also if anyone knows any other fragrant plants that can be kept indoors that are bird safe (and relatively easy to keep!) do let me know

 

[jousze]

So I've been enjoying the addition of Lavender fragrances in my home for a while to calm my nerves and thought to myself, "why not enjoy the look of the plant too?"



I do want to check first though if anyone knows if Lavender is a safe plant to have around the house with a fid both in terms of small and inevitable chewing/snacking that will happen.



Also if anyone knows any other fragrant plants that can be kept indoors that are bird safe (and relatively easy to keep!) do let me know

Wait for the opinion of an “expert” but I have a feeling that I’ve already seen parrots eating lavender and I think I saw somewhere that it’s safe for them. It apparently helps digestion.


Jose

 

[ChristaNL]

Just keep in mind: all those plants developed those smells to keep predators (bugs, insects etc.) at bay.
Even lavender is mildy toxic (just not to us) thats why it is such a great repellent.


Oregano is actually one the herbs that made the "great for birds"-list.
(there is one somewhere- wil try and dig it up a bit later/ lunchbreak is gone, need to get busy)



Just do not buy any herbs (plants) in the supermarket- they are meant to be consumed within a few days and will just collapse if you try to keep them alive.
Buy them at gardencentres of specialist markets etc. or even more fun: sow them!
It is the right time for it

All the mediteranian ones are hardy and easy as long as you do not overwater them.

 

[LordTriggs]

Buy them at gardencentres of specialist markets etc. or even more fun: sow them!
It is the right time for it

All the mediteranian ones are hardy and easy as long as you do not overwater them.

Thanks for the tip! I was thinking exactly that, heading to a garden center this weekend to get a nice pot and a plant (maybe a couple) to have on my windowsill and in the kitchen. Hopefully I should get a good little list of plants I can choose between

 

[chris-md]

Lavender is perfectly safe. Even used in avian specific teas.

 

[Allee]

Lavender, the entire plant is safe for parrots if it is grown organically in untreated soil. It’s a beautiful plant that parrots would probably be attracted to in their natural environment. The rumors that lavender is harmful to parrots may stem from lavender’s use in essential oils, lavender in a highly concentrated form could be dangerous around parrots but the plant itself in moderation would be safe.

Rosemary is one of my personal favorite herbs to grow, I love the smell. Thyme, oregano, basil and chamomile are also safe.

 

[ChristaNL]

I agree with Allee's list of plants, I am still "lost in translation" with some others.
(LOL I keep wanting to post the latin names, but nobody seems to like using those at all, so ...google translate to the rescue)

Echinacea is beautifull as well as easy.
Luzerne (alfalfaseeds) is good, great in teas as well, do NOT feed the flowers! the rest is fine. (Great looking plants)
Sage is another one both medicinal and 'for fun'

The simple dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) had been used for ages esp. for elderly parrots (tea and raw, leafs and roots)
just like the stinging nettle (only very young leaves are fun to eat, boil the rest)

Ginger and peppers are more indoorplants where you are, but fun.
(ginger needs quite a bit of soil to run around in - just plant a tiny root-piece and it will grow)

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

LOL, I'm glad I used the "search" feature to find out this information rather than post a new thread (as much as enjoy annoying other members, lol, j/k).

I happened to try a toilet deodorizer that a friend gave me that was 'lavender' and I LOVED the smell of it. Then, come to find out, my deodorant and body wash ALSO has lavender in it. So I did some research and come to find out, lavender is known to help alleviate anxiety and depression.

I don't have any 'real' plants in my house because Skitty is free-flighted and I couldn't find a plant I liked that I KNEW was safe for him in the off-chance he were to chomp on it.

I'm gonna look into getting a lavender plant, but I also want to get some 'natural' smelling oils or sachets to put in places that tend to produce odor. None of course anywhere near Skittles cage(s) nor near any of his playstands or perchable areas.

Given that he spends a LOT of time inside my shirt and I do wear deodorant, I'd think the scent wouldn't be harmful if kept at a reasonable level.

I am allergic to pollen and my respiratory system is VERY delicate when it comes to dust, dirt, pollen and air particles. So anything that would bother me would surely bother Skittles. I dare say my respiratory system is likely about as delicate as his is. As much as I love the smell of lilacs, I can't be anywhere near them. I get a headache 'rush' just from inhaling the smell and if I'm exposed to too much dust, I actually suffocate (it feels like someone is sitting on my chest).

Anyways, point being, I REALLY like the smell of lavender and now that I find out all these other things, it seems it would be a great addition as long as I keep vigilante about the amount and TYPE of lavender that I use. I intend on keeping it 'natural' and using pure lavender for other scents.

I heard 'mint' is great at repelling rodents and when we had the 'house mouse' issue in this building a few years back, I might have done something with that to repel, but fortunately the landlord dealt with that immediately. But I don't want to use mint in my house. Its VERY strong and I don't want my house to smell like a giant 'gum bubble'.

Anyways, thanks to Trigger for creating the thread.