8 Cat-friendly Houseplants
- Alex McCoy
- March 20, 2020
- 5 Minute Read
Some common houseplants can be very toxic to your cats and other pets. Therefore it is important to look for cat-friendly houseplants. You may think picking up a houseplant from a nursery means that it is safe to have around, but all plants should be researched, especially if you have pets! Here is a guide to 8 houseplants certified by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as non-toxic for pets such as cats and dogs:
1. Gloxinia
Some common houseplants can be very toxic to your cats and other pets. Therefore it is important to look for cat-friendly houseplants. You may think picking up a houseplant from a nursery means that it is safe to have around, but all plants should be researched, especially if you have pets! Here is a guide to 8 houseplants certified by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as non-toxic for pets such as cats and dogs:
2. Air Plant
Air plants require very low maintenance. They also do not require soil so they can be arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way, like hanging in a glass container near windows. They do not grow larger than 12 inches so it is possible to have a bunch of air plants. And, of course, they are safe for cats!
3. Baby Tears
Baby tears are easy to care for and create a lush mat of tiny green leaves close to the soil. This low-growing quality makes Baby Tears a good plant for below other plants to protect the soil from pets digging and making a mess out of the soil. And of course, not to mention these houseplants are safe for cats.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plants are easy to care for but quite intricate in appearance. Also known as the airplane plant, it looks great when placed in a small pot on any shelf of the kitchen. Among the list of houseplants safe for cats, these particular plants will tolerate a wide variety of conditions of sun, moisture, and soil.
5. Venus Fly Trap
If you want to choose a houseplant that is both safe for cats and fun, then you should get a carnivorous plant such as Venus Flytrap! They are aesthetically unique and can also help rid of annoying flies roaming around your house. And curious pets won’t get harmed if they plan to try them out. One important thing to note though is that these plants require bright light and distilled water.
6. Polka Dot Plant
The polka dot plant, also known as Hypoestes phyllostachya, has pink, red, and white sprinkled foliage. It is a beautiful plant that will bloom even if not given the perfect conditions. Even without the bloom, the foliage is beautiful all on its own! While safe for cats and dogs, sensitive animals will suffer slight digestive distress if they eat large quantities of the polka dot plant.
7. Peperomia
Peperomia is a great plant to start caring for if you are new to growing houseplants. They are also a popular choice even among the most experienced growers! Peperomia is loved for its vibrant foliage and smooth texture. They look fantastic suspended containers and easily bounce back if you forget to water them for a couple of days.
8. Orchid
Orchids are no doubt some of the most beautiful houseplants and people may not know that they are safe for cats! They are appealing and beautiful, and they will light up their surroundings with their beauty.
Additional Thoughts
Having a pet is a great joy. They can offer you love, compassion, and companionship. A furry friend living with you is no doubt a delight but they require a great deal of care. It is your responsibility to make sure they are in a safe environment. This includes taking into account the things they may end up chewing on! If you have ever owned a pet such as a cat or a dog you must have seen your pets chewing your houseplants. This is typical behavior and should not cause worry so long as you have pet-friendly plants in your house.
There are many theories on why cats chew on plants. Some think that they do it just because they crave the textures, others think that they do it to process the hairballs. The real reason why cats chew plants remains unknown. All cats are natural carnivores, so it is a bit mysterious that they are so inclined to chew on houseplants. Never try to make your cat a vegetarian because it can endanger your cat’s health due to severe amino-acid deficiency. Regardless of the reasons why they chew on plants, it is critical that you surround them with safe ones if they do decide to gnaw.
Closing Thoughts
It’s always a better idea to keep your pets away from indoor plants in the first place. However, if your cat does love to chew on plants, embrace it! Keep houseplants away from them and offer them a tastier option: cat grass.
Some houseplants can cause vomiting if ingested but are still considered safe for cats. If you have any form of lilies cardiac glycosides in your house you should not let your pets near them because they can be toxic. We all know about the benefits of having houseplants, they purify the air we breathe in keeping it oxygen-rich, they absorb the carbon dioxide that is released as a result of our respiration. Houseplants safe for cats give you all those advantages plus they will not affect the health of your cat. Plants provide a very aesthetic look to the house especially if you have plants with vibrant-colored flowers Houseplants simply increase the beauty of the house they are placed in. You can maintain that beauty and serenity while also keeping a safe environment for your furry friends.