Top 12 Indoor Feline-Friendly Flora Choices
In 2020, a list of 12 indoor plants was compiled by Lisa Clark, offering a safe haven for both plant enthusiasts and cat owners. These cat-friendly plants not only brighten up your living space but also ensure the well-being of your feline friends.
The Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus) is a tropical delight, boasting lipstick-shaped blooms that add a touch of elegance to any home. Another safe option is Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus), also known as Creeping Charlie, which blooms small lavender flowers and can trail gracefully across surfaces.
For those seeking a unique leaf pattern, the Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) and its relative, the Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata), both sport watermelon-patterned leaves. The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is another pet-safe choice, although it sheds a lot and drops leaves, making it a low-maintenance option for those who prefer a more minimalist approach.
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a seasonal favourite, adding a festive touch during the holiday season. Air plants (Tillandsia), with their low-maintenance nature, can be hung or mounted, making them perfect for those seeking a more modern aesthetic.
The Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a versatile, easy-to-grow, and cat-friendly houseplant, while the African violet (Saintpaulia) is a small, flowering, cat-safe indoor plant. For cat owners looking for a succulent option, the Zebra plant (Haworthiopsis attenuata) is a safe choice.
In addition to these plants, cat grass is not a plant but a specific type of grass mixture grown from seeds of barley, wheat, oats, and rye, and is safe for cats. However, it's essential to grow cat grass indoors to avoid potential harmful insecticides.
When it comes to cats and plants, it's best to keep pets away from plants if they like to chew, as some plants can still make cats sick when ingested, even if they are listed as non-toxic. As a precaution, when testing home remedies for cat deterrents, never take chances with toxic plants.
Cats don't like the smell of citrus, so citrus sprays or orange peels in plants can be used as cat deterrents, but be cautious of citrus oils as they are toxic to cats. Alternatively, cats may be deterred by black pepper in plants or aluminum foil around plant areas.
Lastly, the Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) and the Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) complete the list of 12 safe indoor plants for cat-friendly homes. The Areca palm is a safe indoor plant for cats, while the Prayer plant is a small, cat-safe indoor plant that curls its leaves at night, adding a unique touch to any home.
By incorporating these cat-friendly plants into your home, you can create a beautiful, safe, and feline-friendly living space.
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