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They say a dog is a man’s best friend. Well, we, cat owners, wouldn’t completely agree to that! Cats can be just as snuggly and playful as dogs. But, if you are a cat owner and a plant lover simultaneously, I admit you’ll have to read an article or two before introducing your pet to your green friends.
Many house plants can be toxic or even poisonous to cats so I have made the following list of cat-friendly plants! Some of them are even great plants for cats to chew on! (Yes, even though they are carnivores, there are some plants for cats to eat.)
So here is the list of the plants that are safe for cats:
7 Plants That Are Safe to Have Around Your Cats
Air plants
This is a group of plants – a genus, not a specific species or a variety.
The genus of air plants is called Tillandsia and it contains over 650 different varieties, such as Sky plant, Tillandsia bulbosa, Spanish moss, Tillandsia stricta, etc.
They differ very much in color and shape.
Still, what they do have in common is that they are evergreen and don’t need soil to thrive.
(Don’t get confused by the name – they need more than just air to survive).
They are actually epiphytes, meaning they grow on another plant’s surface (like orchids, for example).
They can be held in terrariums, as well.
This way, you’ll lower the chances of a cat-plant close encounter.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a genus as well.
Still, some varieties are highly popular as outdoor house plants – Hibiscus syaricus and Hibiscus rosa-sinesis, for example.
Not only that they are harmless for your cat, but they will also brighten up the room with their colorful eye-catching flowers.
Still, hibiscus needs a lot of sunlight to produce flowers, so find a place with at least 6 hours of sun daily.
(As cats love warm spots, as well, your pet may share their favorite spot in the house with a hibiscus plant.)
Boston Fern
Find a cool place, provide high humidity, moist soil, and enough filtered (indirect) sunlight, and Boston fern will become one of the best plants for cats and kittens!
Their graceful looks and adaptability are what make them even more adorable!
They will forgive you if you forget to water them, as well.
The most important thing is not to overwater them as waterlogged soil causes root rot in no time.
Fern plants are a good investment when talking about an indoor jungle look. Varieties such as Kimberly and Macho fern have a similar structure to Boston’s and are also safe around pets.
Pro-Tip – Since they need high levels of humidity, I suggest using a humidifier.
Echeveria
Echeveria is one of the succulents that belongs to the ‘cat-safe plants’ group.
They are also very low-maintenance and easy to propagate, which makes them one of the favorite house plants throughout the world!
They are fast growers, as well, and if you take good care of them, they will even bloom!
To add to that, they are tolerant to different conditions – low and high temperatures, little or a lot of sunlight… They are drought-tolerant also, so the only thing you shouldn’t do is overwater them.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is not only beautifully variegated, extravagant, and exotic!
It is a low-maintenance plant and a very adaptive one!
In addition, it is very easy to propagate!
All you need to do to make your spider plant prosper is provide it with well-drained soil and a lot of filtered indirect light!
They don’t like soggy soil, so make sure you don’t overwater it.
Parlor Palm
Parlor palm is one of the most widespread indoor plants throughout the USA.
This is not odd, considering it is a low-maintenance plant that is adaptive to low-light conditions.
It is tolerant to lower temperatures, as well, it can grow in almost any soil and doesn’t like to be watered too often.
The only ‘negative’ side – it is sensitive to pests.
Otherwise, they are very attractive with their numerous stalks that create an exotic jungle-like appearance.
Rosemary
When it comes to plants safe for cats to eat, the rosemary herb is one of my personal favorites.
Not only does it belong to the ‘plants safe for cats’ group, but it is also beneficial for your health, used as a spice, or just to prevent possible pests from appearing in the room.
If you notice that your cat is chewing on it, you should stop it after a while, because if ingested in large quantities, it can cause some issues, such as an upset stomach.
Still, since it is an aromatic herb, cats usually don’t like the smell, let alone the taste of it.
Pro-Tip – During the growing season, rosemary likes a little more watering, so you can increase it during that period.
Otherwise, they are pretty easy to take care of!
Summary
There are a lot of house plants that are safe for cats, and some can be even eaten by cats!
In this article, I have explained a little more about seven of my favorites.
Air plants, hibiscus, Boston fern, echeveria, spider plants, parlor palms, and rosemary are among my first choices.
You can even let your cats chew on rosemary and some other plants (for example, catnip, oat grass, zinnias) – not only it not harm them, but it will also be beneficial!
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though most succulent varieties are harmless, some species can be toxic for your cat, such as aloe vera, jade plant, Senecio, etc.
Explore a particular variety before you buy it.
Plants that are safe for cats to eat are numerous – catnip, spider plants, zinnias, cat thyme, oat grass, rosemary… Still, although cats can eat all of these plants, you shouldn’t let them get carried away by chewing – keep an eye on them.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of house plants that are toxic to cats.
To add to that, cats are very curious animals who like to stick their little noses almost everywhere.
Because of that, make sure the following plants are placed far away from the cat’s reach: amaryllis, lily, dieffenbachia, peace lily, tulips, Spanish thyme, English ivy, daffodils, etc.
You can check online or your local nursery for these types of plants. You can also check Plantly for varieties of plants that are safe around your pets.
Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!
