As a plant lover that is also in love with animals, there might be restrictions on the type of plants you bring home, and this is so there can be peaceful coexistence in the home. Pets are adorable and you wouldn’t want to have anything harm them, especially a plant you love so much.
Over the years, picking the right type of plant to grow in the same home as your pets has been a challenge for a lot of people. We would hate to see you give up one for the other, so we have compiled a list of plants that are cat-friendly and that you can grow in your home!
These plants are not just cat friendly; they are also beautiful houseplants that will add to the beauty of your space.
These plants are probably not your favorites; however, we assure you that they are some of the best houseplants that you can grow, both for aesthetics and health purposes.
Table of Contents
Best Houseplants For Cats And Dogs
The following are some of the best plants you can grow in the home, together with raising pets.
1. African Violet
The African violet is popularly known for its beautiful purple bloom and its yellow flowers at the center. This lovely plant can bloom in low light. This plant is one of the many plants that are non-toxic to your cats and pets. This means that you can have an African violet in your home and still have your pets around.
The plant not only can keep your pet safe but compliment the beauty of your home. It is one of the most loved and grown flowering houseplants. The African violet is easy to grow; it enjoys being placed in moderate temperature and average humidity.
We recommend that you use a balanced fertilizer for your African violet. It is one of the recommended pet-friendly plants by ASPCA.
2. Areca Palm
The areca palm is also known as butterfly palm; this palm belongs to the Arecaceae family and is well known for its beautiful foliage. The plant got its name from its feathery leaves. The areca plant has a way of adding a tropical vibe to your home.
If you are looking for a cat-friendly tropical plant, then this is it! You might want to change some toxic palms for this lovely one. Apart from being a beautiful plant to keep in the house, the butterfly plant also purifies the air and removes pollutants i.e. Acetone, xylene, and toluene in the air.
3. Boston Fern
Boston ferns, also known as Nephrolepis are one of our favorite house plants; however, it is not uncommon for cats to munch on the fronds of these lovelies. Boston fern can brighten your home and whatever space it is placed in.
The plant prefers humidity and enjoys staying in bright, indirect light. Boston plants can look lovely in hanging baskets; they enjoy being provided an environment that is similar to their natural habitat.
4. Calathea Plants
Plants in the calathea family are cat-friendly. The calathea plant is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Marantaceae. Other than being known as calatheas, they are also known as prayer plants.
There are about 200 species of plant assigned to the calathea family and it is safe to say that the plants in this family are pet friendly. The plants are famous for their striped leaves and bright colors. The calathea plants enjoy being placed in bright, indirect light; they can however survive in low light.
The calathea plants do have a way of beautifying its surrounding.
5. Spider Plant
Spider plant is known as one of the easiest plants to grow, especially for beginners. The native of tropical and southern African is characterized by its spider-like plants. The plant enjoys being placed in moist, yet well-draining soil.
The spider plant can leave your space dashing. The spider plant is suitable for hanging baskets; in fact, it keeps your cats safe. However, the spider plant can grow well in pots.
6. Peperomia
The peperomia is known as one of the large genera of the family Piperaceae from the tropical forests of Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.
The color and texture of the plants are one of the many reasons this plant has become quite popular, the plant comes in red, green, purple, gray, marble, variegated, etc.
The plants in the peperomia family are low maintenance, this means they are very easy to grow, and an excellent choice for beginners. Asides from this, the peperomia plants can be grown in the same home your pets are. They are non-toxic.
7. Orchid
Orchid is a flowering plant that not only beautifies the home but also had a sweet smell of freshness.
Although there is a general assumption that the orchid is poisonous to cats, however, this is not true; the orchid is a safe plant to add to the list of cat-friendly plants.
8. Polka Dots Plant
The polka dots plants are characterized by their brilliant splash of colors. The ornamental plant is known to come with a mix of different colors such as green, pink, red, and white. The polka dots plant is one of the easiest flowering plants to grow.
The polka dots are one lovely plant to have in the home, apart from this; it is also non-toxic to cats and dogs. This infers that you can have your polka dots in the home with your pets.
9. Bromeliads
Bromeliad is a family of monocot flowering plants, the plant is known to have about 3000 species, it gives the home an exotic look while also giving the tropical vibe. Bromeliad is low maintenance plant, which means they are quite easy to grow.
Although many have had the assumption that due to the exotic look of the bromeliad, it will be stressful to grow. You know this isn’t true now. The bromeliad, alongside being easy to grow is pet friendly, you really can have a beautiful plant and your pet around, together.
10. Royal Velvet
The royal velvet plant, also known as the purple velvet plant is a perennial genus; the plant is known to have lots of species. The plant is characterized by its unusual shade of emerald and purple. The plant matures on time, indoor, and is relatively easy to care for.
One of the most loved reasons for growing the royal velvet plant is that it is non-toxic to cats and dogs. The plant enjoys being placed in bright light and also enjoys being watered only when the soil is dry.
11. Bamboo Palm
Also known as the good luck palm, the bamboo palm is native to Mexico and Central America. They are perfect for adding a tropical vibe to the home.
The bamboo palm is an easy-to-grow plant, apart from this; this lovely palm is on NASA’s list of plants that clean the air and gets rid of pollutants. In addition to this, the plant is known to be pet-friendly.
With the bamboo palm, you get to grow a palm, clean the air and keep your pets healthy! The bamboo palm will grow in bright, indirect light and also tolerate some shade. They can grow to about 8 feet tall, which means you have to prune often.
Final Thoughts
It is not uncommon to have your pets, especially cats eat your plant, this is why you should purchase plants that are non-toxic to your plant and will not upset their stomach. If your pets get stomach upset from chewing your plants, we recommend that you see a veterinary doctor, immediately.
It is generally advised that your plants be kept far from where your pets can reach them.
