Some cats like to nibble on our indoor plants. This is simply their natural behavior. You can let them play undisturbed on these 19 non-toxic indoor plants.
plant varieties
Cats or houseplants?
Many cat owners see this question as an inevitable dilemma because they are concerned that their houseplant could poison their cat. The latter is true, but cat owners don't have to face this dilemma. Because there are many beautiful indoor plants that are non-toxic to cats and delight the heart and eyes of the plant lover. Plants that are non-toxic to cats fall into several groups. The groups below do not in all cases correspond to the botanical classification. The selection should be more of a help for the purchase or keeping of indoor plants.
- all Corianders (Calahea)
- different palms
- different ferns
- various thick sheets
- flowering houseplants
- indoor fir
Cyprus grass (cat grass)
If you are offered a houseplant as a gift, ask for the exact name and whether the plant is non-toxic to your cat. Also, if you're looking to buy a houseplant, ask specifically about its toxicity to cats. Because some plants are non-toxic to humans, but can cause poisoning in cats.
cat grass
Tip: With some indoor plants, only parts of the plant, for example only the flowers or the seeds, are poisonous to cats. There is no evidence of poison in the leaves or branches of the coffee tree. However, the seeds are said to have a slightly toxic effect.
basket marante
Calathea belong to the arrowroot family (Marantaceae). The genus with around 300 species fascinates with its bicolored leaves. In some types of plants, the upper side of the leaves is also structured. For cat lovers, osiera are the ideal houseplants, as all species are non-toxic to humans and animals. However, basket marants make some demands on the location and care. The calathea prefers a semi-bright location. Since it does not tolerate direct sunlight, it should be protected from the midday sun. Since it comes from tropical or subtropical regions, it also needs high humidity (70 to 80 percent). Also, she doesn't like cold feet.
Cork marante, Calathea zebrina
Tip: Some types of calathea also thrive in a shady location.
Palm trees
Palm trees are probably the houseplants that bring the most exoticism into our living rooms. Botanically, palms form the Arecaceae (palm) family. About 2,600 species belong to it. The following are suitable as houseplants for plant and cat lovers.
- Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)
- Kentia Palm (Howea)
- Date Palm (Phoenix)
coconut tree
Since the coconut palm is at home in the tropics, keeping it as a houseplant is not that easy, because the tropical climate must also be offered in the living room. The two varieties of the Kentia palm are much easier to care for. It is considered a long-lived, robust indoor palm that needs a light to partially shaded location. While phoenix palms are non-toxic to cats, they don't make very good indoor palms. If they are kept purely as indoor plants, their palm life is usually short-lived.
coconut tree
Tip: The coconut palm has very sharp-edged leaves. If the cat eats a lot from the palm tree, this can damage its stomach lining.
mountain palm
The mountain palm is also classified as non-toxic for cats, as no poisoning has been reported so far. However, the airy fronds of the mountain palm invite the cat to play and nibble. And the palm tree doesn't tolerate that.
Cat lovers should be wary of “palms” that botanically do not belong to the Arecaceae family, including indoor plants such as the yucca palm, the Madagascar palm and cycads. Because they are poisonous to cats. On the other hand, the cobbler palm (Aspidistra) from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) is unthinkable for cats.
mountain palm
ferns
From a botanical point of view, varieties from the real fern class are non-toxic to cats. Ferns are distributed all over the world and, depending on the variety, make different demands on care. The following ferns are suitable for the cat household.
- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
- Spleenwort (Asplenium)
- Antler Fern (Platycerium)
- Shield Fern (Polystichum falcatum)
- Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Saum fern (Pteridaceae)
The sword fern is one of the most decorative indoor plants. It prefers a light, partially shaded spot. Otherwise, he does not make high demands on care. Striped or shield ferns are also very easy to care for. The maidenhair fern, on the other hand, is a diva with numerous special requests in terms of location and care. The staghorn needs special care. However, it is also suitable for beginners. The mulberry fern is classified as moderate when it comes to care.
Tip: Many ferns need a light or partially shaded location. They also require high humidity.
thick leaves
The most well-known representative of the genus Crassula is the money tree (Crassula ovata), which is not dangerous for cats. That is why the easy-care lucky charm is ideal for a household with cats. However, not all types of thick leaf are harmless to cats, some varieties are classified as poisonous. Crassula ovata prefers a light spot. The penny tree does not tolerate a light-poor location. The money tree is insensitive to drought.
money tree
indoor plants
Flowering houseplants
Flowering indoor plants are wonderful eye-catchers in the plant corner. They shine at us with their bright flowers and immediately spread a good mood. The following flowering houseplants can be kept in the household without the risk of poisoning the cat.
- loose tree
- slipper flower
- slanting plate
- flower mallow
- shamflower
- tapir flower
- indoor hibiscus
loose tree
In the lotus tree (Clerodendrum tomsoniae), deep red flowers protrude from white, bell-shaped calyxes. They are a wonderful contrast to the dark green foliage of the plants. The tendrils of the shrub can become very long and should be pulled up on a trellis. The houseplant, which is non-toxic to cats, needs a bright location, but must be protected from direct, strong sunlight in summer.
loose tree
slipper flower
Slipper flowers (Calceolaria) are annual plants whose hybrid varieties can also be cultivated as indoor plants. Even if their lifespan is short, they bring pretty splashes of color to the plant corner. The easy-care slipper flower needs a bright to sunny, airy spot. However, she does not like direct drafts.
slipper flower
shamflowers
Various varieties of shamflowers (Aeschynanthus) are often cultivated as ornamental and house plants because of their unusual flowers. Although they are not easy to care for, they are non-toxic to cats. The shamflower needs high humidity and must be protected from the blazing sun.
shamflower
slanting plate
Slanted plates, botanically Achimenes, have small, plate-shaped flowers. Neither the numerous flowers nor the leaves are dangerous for cats. Of the approximately 25 varieties, some hybrid varieties are also offered as indoor plants. The room slanting plate is best cultivated on an east or west window, as it does not tolerate direct midday sun. Drafts also damage the plant. Slanted plates need it warm all year round. During the hibernation, the plant needs little light, so it also thrives in locations that are too dark for many houseplants.
Slanted plate, Achimenes erecta
flower mallow
The maple or flower maple (Abutilon) is an easy-care, evergreen shrub that is an eye-catcher in every corner of the plant with its bell-shaped flowers. Like the entire plant, the often variegated foliage of the Chinese lantern is non-toxic to cats. Flowering mallows prefer a bright, sunny location. However, indoor plants do not tolerate the blazing midday sun.
flower mallow
tapir flower
With its orange or salmon-colored flower spikes, the tapir flower (Crossandra) joins the list of non-toxic indoor plants for cats. It grows as a shrub-like bush with glossy leaves and requires no special care. In order to thrive, Crossandra needs a bright location.
tapir flower
indoor hibiscus
The indoor hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), which is a popular indoor plant for us because of its beautiful flowers, is one of the easy-care plants, but makes demands on the location. So he does not tolerate blazing midday sun. The ideal location for indoor hibiscus is a spot with morning or evening sun.
indoor hibiscus
indoor fir
The indoor fir, also called Norfolk fir or monkey tree, is the only variety of the genus Araucaria (araucaria) that can be cultivated as a houseplant. It has dense, frond-like branches and is non-toxic to cats. Their grooming needs are rated as mild to moderate. Indoor firs do not tolerate full sun. They prefer light to semi-shady locations.
indoor fir
Cyprus grass
Untreated species of Cyprus grass (Cyperus involucratus) are often sold as cat grass in pet shops because they are non-toxic to cats. However, depending on the variety, Cyprus grass can have extremely sharp edges. Some edges are also barbed. Both can injure the cat when eating. That's why you should pay attention to the condition of the stalks when buying cat grass. In order for cypress grass to develop new shoots, it needs a location with direct sunlight that is also easily accessible for the cat.
Cyprus grass
cats and plants
Why some cats actually like houseplants is not entirely clear. However, there are various attempts at an explanation.
- stomach cleansing
- boredom
- Play instinct and curiosity (especially in young cats)
To help your cat (perhaps) stay away from indoor plants, offer her alternatives, such as a scratching post with hiding places or toys to keep her from getting bored. You can also try to keep the cat away from indoor plants through educational measures. However, cat lovers know that this is an almost impossible task.
Tip: If your cat has not shown any interest in houseplants yet, keep an eye on the cat and the plants (chewing marks). Because the cat can change its behavior even after years.
driven
Dangers of Non-Poisonous Plants
Even if the houseplant does not cause poisoning in cats, some plants pose a danger to cats.
There is a risk of injury in plants with:
- sharp or angular sheet edges
- spines or thorns
fertilizer
Fertilizer is good for the plants, but not necessarily for the cat. In principle, solid fertilizer (granules) or sticks should not be used in cat households. They can be understood by the cat as a fun toy. When using liquid fertilizer, it should be noted that cats do not drink the irrigation water with the liquid fertilizer.
- Keep cats away from liquid fertilizer watering cans
- Remove irrigation water in coasters 30 minutes after watering
Notice: Since every cat reacts differently to the ingestion of plants, we cannot offer an absolute guarantee that the plants mentioned will not cause any symptoms of illness. The information relates to adult, healthy cats. In old or sick cats, these plants, which are non-toxic to cats, can also have health effects.