Sometimes, it can be challenging to keep your houseplants out of the reach of your cats, so make sure any plants you grow indoors are safe and non-toxic to them.
We asked our garden experts about houseplants safe for cats. Some suggestions include:
- Spider plants
- Orchid
- Calathea
Alex Williams from Greenery Guide
Spider plants
I have several spider plants in my apartment because they’re safe for pets. I also love that spider plants are so easy to take care of.
They just need indirect sunlight and semi-regular watering. These things are almost impossible to kill since they can handle both too much and too little water.
Though, it’s ideal if you let the soil dry out a bit in-between waterings. One word of warning: your cat may enjoy playing with your spider plant a little too much, so watch out for that.
Orchids
They are one of my favorite flowers, which also happen to be safe for cats.
Like spider plants, the soil for your orchids needs to get a bit dry between waterings. And indirect sunlight is what makes orchids thrive.
A couple of things many people don’t know about orchids is that they require humidity and cool nights.
So, get a humidifier or set out some water and make sure the nights in your home are 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the days.
Cameron Pullano from PlantX
Ionantha Guatemala Air Plant
These stunningly unique plants are a type of plant called “epiphytes,” which means that they live by attaching to trees and drawing nutrients and water from the air around them in their jungle habitat.
Air plants have a one-of-a-kind look and can be placed nearly anywhere in a home that gets bright, indirect light and only need to be watered with regular misting or a weekly soak.
Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for a home with cats because they can be placed in various locations that are hard to reach for curious furry friends. They’re also non-toxic, just in case a curious cat manages to take a nibble.
Bird’s Nest Nidus Fern
This is our other favorite choice for a cat-friendly houseplant. Also known as Asplenium nidus, this fern is native to the tropical pacific and naturally grows near palm trees.
Non-toxic to pets and humans, this plant is an excellent choice for a cat lover’s home because of its attractive crinkly-textured leaves.
These wavy fronds have an interesting texture that may be unpleasant to some cats, but this plant is resilient enough to withstand a few nibbles from an undeterred cat.
Mia Ballan from Potière
While houseplants bring many benefits, such as cleaner air and a beautiful aesthetic, some varieties can be toxic to cats if ingested.
Luckily, the ASPCA lists plenty of beautiful plant varieties that are completely non-toxic for cats. Some popular cat-friendly houseplant varieties include:
Peperomia
Peperomia is cute, compact plants feature round or oval-shaped leaves. They are relatively easy to care for, just requiring bright, indirect light and infrequent waterings.
Boston fern
These popular houseplants sport attractive, delicate leaves and can grow to 2-3 feet tall. They require indirect light and high humidity.
Hoya
These vining plants look stunning in a hanging basket, atop a pedestal, or climbing up a trellis. While hoya does best in bright indirect light, they can also adapt to low-light conditions.
Krissy from Urban Houseplant
Calathea orbifolia
According to LOLCats, The Calathea Orbifolia is the perfect non-toxic plant for cats. It is a tropical plant from South America and is a member of the Marantaceae or prayer plant family. This plant is known for its bold decorative leaves with silver striping.
Calathea Orbifolia thrives in medium indirect light and high humidity. It is sensitive to abrupt temperature changes, so you will not want to place your plant near an open window or by an air-conditioning unit.
To keep your Calathea orbifolia happy, you will want to make sure you apply fertilizer monthly. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer works best.
This plant likes evenly balanced moist soil and is sensitive to overwatering. Making sure you put your Calathea orbifolia in a well-draining pot is essential.
Conclusion
Above is the information about suitable plants to decorate homes having cats. They hope this information is helpful for you and your pet.
