Nothing brightens our living space better than houseplants do. That is not all, they also purify the air we breathe and relieve our depression and anxiety. Caring for plants is therapeutic in case you didn’t know. However, if you own a cat in your home, there are so many beautiful houseplants to avoid because they don’t mix with pets especially dogs and cats due to the toxins they have. Cats specifically are notorious and fond of chewing things. The following are houseplants to avoid growing in your home if you are a cat parent.
Peace lilies
It is one of the most common houseplants grown indoors because of their low maintenance needs. Their dark leaves and white flowers are popular for spring décor. However, they contain oxalates that are harmful to your cat if ingested. It is normal for cats to be curious and try everything new. If they are tempted to taste peace lilies, oxalates may cause them to vomit, and feel irritated in the mouth and GI tract. Also excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing or breathing. If you are keeping cats in your home, don’t try growing this houseplant anywhere nearby.
Pothos
Pothos has become popular in many homes because both amateur and experienced planters can manage the low maintenance it requires. It has an attractive drape that is easy to care for tempting many homeowners to add to their home décor. Pothos are safe to touch but raise issues when your cat is tempted to ingest. Your kitty will vomit, have oral swelling, or experience burning in the mouth and lips. It is up to you to decide, feline or pothos? Choose one!
Begonia
Begonia thrives in houses or apartments where it is dark most of the time. It is challenging to find houseplants that tolerate low light conditions and don’t show signs of a complaint. Begonia comes in a variety of shapes and colors. They do well without direct light and are small and colorful enough to be considered harmless. Not until your cat decides to taste before you start worrying and running around. They are toxic to cats if you didn’t know.
Bird of paradise
It is one of the top statement-making houseplants for apartments or homes. They do well indoors and if you are patient can reward you with blooms after three to four years. It has banana-like leaves and can grow up to 6 feet high. The leaves like those of bananas can grow up to 28 inches. If you own a cat, you need to stay vigilant about a bird of paradise because it is toxic for cats and dogs alike.
Branching ivy
Also known as English ivy, it is easy to grow and low a maintenance houseplant. You might spot this plant growing on old buildings. It is suitable for indoor planting because of its air-purifying abilities. According to a NASA study, English Ivy is among the most effective oxygen generators and toxin filters. But if you have a lovely cat in your compound, think twice before cultivating this houseplant.
Caladium
A.k.a elephant ears is a pretty houseplant that prints statements on matters of landscaping. They can be potted and placed indoors and still do great in filling up empty spaces. Their huge leaves print statements of the presence of life with a lot of green indoors. However, keeping this houseplant and you have a cat is no good. Your curious cat might find it hard to resist caladium especially the beautiful sculpted green leaves might be tempting for felines or dogs.
Catnip
Forget about keeping your cat high and entertained even when they have done something that deserves praise from you. Think again. Catnips will make your cat sexually high or hyper for a while but still, they are toxic. Cats may love it for a reason but now you have reasons to ditch the plant. Catnip can cause your cat to vomit and have diarrhea. Do you know what is worse? Your cat getting overstimulated and hurting themselves when they are high. other cats may feel sedated. If you thought catnip was a treat for your cat, think again.
Fig tree
The fig tree houseplant has been trendy to grow on the borders and along the fence. It also grows indoors well. It might even bless you with fruits because it doesn’t need pollination. If you are still not fascinated by the fig tree, I don’t know far more. But think twice before keeping a fig tree if you have a cat as a member of your family because fig tree is toxic for cats and dogs too.
Golden bird nest
This houseplant is also known as snake plant, good luck plant, or mother-in-law’s tongue. it looks dramatic but requires little maintenance. It is a hard-to-kill plant even when it is in low-light condition. Its sculptural appearance and a little bit of green add life to our living rooms. It is a low-maintenance houseplant and it can survive for weeks without water. The flipside for Golden Bird nests is that you can’t keep them with cats because they are toxic them.
Pencil cactus
Like many euphorbias, the pencil cactus makes a photogenic easy-to-grow houseplant. It looks good and it is hardy. It is a low maintenance houseplant that you won’t worry about if you don’t water for a few weeks. Just like other types of euphorbia plants, pencil cactus is toxic to cats and dogs. If you are a cat parent in this case, do away from cultivating pencil cactus if you want peace in your home.
Sago’s palm
Fun and adorable tropical addition to your home décor. It does their duty to clean the air and their unique structure is a talking point for a lovely accent. However, this plant has an ancient defense mechanism therefore highly toxic for our lovely furry friends. If ingested by a cat, diarrhea or vomiting might ensue, liver failure or death might also happen to your lovely one.
Those are some of the houseplants that are considered toxic for cats and even dogs. If you know of a houseplant that is not on the list, feel free to leave a comment.
