Curiosity won't kill the cat this time.
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Cats are curious by nature, and if you've ever had to pull your furry friend out of your pantry, closet, or even dresser drawer, you know that few things can dissuade a cat from getting into whatever it wants. But while most household objects are harmless for them to riffle through, many houseplants aren't. Snake plants, peace lilies, ivies, and more common houseplants actually toxic to cats and can cause serious harm (even death) if eaten or ingested. Lilies are the most serious offenders—even the water in the vase is dangerous to cats. That's why it's so important to choose cat safe plants.
When shopping for houseplants, it's best to ask professionals for guidance, and most online stores often have a "pet safe" section. A good rule of thumb is that ferns and air plants are safe plants for cats, but you should steer clear of any sort of ivy or variety of philodendron. You can also grow any kind of catnip or cat grasses (such as wheatgrass) in containers indoors—and your pet will love you forever if you do.
This doesn't mean all the popular houseplants you want are off limits. In fact, there are a number of beautiful plants safe for cats that can be displayed without fear of poisoning. We can't guarantee your cat won't chew on the leaves or make a mess with the potting soil, but we can ensure that they won't get sick when they do. Ahead, we highlight 10 of the most popular cat safe plants to grow and display around your home.
The gift that keeps on giving, spider plants are known for being easy to propagate. You can keep repotting its babies to grow a whole family of ferns.
One of the few trailing plants safe for cats, hoyas are great for hanging planters and only require watering twice a month. Just keep it away from a shelf or off the ground if you don't want your cat to mess with the leaves.
Best for homes with bright sunlight and ample humidity, olive trees have beautiful foliage and can grow more than five feet tall. Place your olive tree in a warm corner and beware of overwatering.
A bit finicky, this decorative cat-safe plant native to South Africa, East Asia and Madagascar requires thoughtful care. Use a water tray for bottom-up watering. That gives it the humidity it likes without soaking the leaves.
Said to bring good luck and fortune, a l0w-maintenance money tree is the perfect plant to add to any empty corner of your home to create good vibes and even better feng shui. It loves light and isn't fussy about watering.
Despite its tropical name, the parlor palm is actually low light friendly and very low maintenance.
Fairly low maintenance, pilea plants sprout dozens of tiny coin-like tendrils. While it's a safe plant for cats, we recommend placing it out of reach of your furry friend since the stems are quite fragile.
Growing to more than eight to 10 feet tall, this tropical cat safe plant can produce actual bananas under optimal conditions once it reaches three feet tall.
Don't be alarmed if this striking plant curls up overnight. Similar to prayer plants, zebra calathea opens and closes its leaves with the rise and fall of the sun.
Like any succulent, this cactus loves a bright and sunny corner. It's drought tolerant and actually doesn't like to be wet, so water it only when the soil is completely dried out. It's ideal for shelves or tables where your furry friend won't accidentally prick themselves.
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