5 Cat-Friendly Houseplant Swaps to Keep Your Kitty Safe and Healthy this Spring
Not only do houseplants look fantastic, but they also come with impressive health perks. Studies show they can purify the air, reduce stress, and boost your overall well-being. But did you know some of the most popular houseplants are toxic to cats? Here's a list of swaps you can make to invite greenery into your home without having to worry if your kitty takes a nibble.
Exclusive Offer:
Get 30% Off Your First Month
Save 30% on your first auto-ship order with the code CAT30. Ready to revolutionize your litter box experience? Click below to enjoy hassle-free cat care, impeccable odor control, and unbeatable convenience, all at an exceptional value. Join Kitty Poo Club today and start your journey to a cleaner, happier home for you and your cat.
1. Peacelily → Laceleaf
Lillies (Lillium spp.) are some of the most toxic plants when it comes to cats. So toxic, in fact, that even the ingestion of their pollen by a cat can have fatal consequences. Needless to say, it’s best to steer clear of lilies altogether. If you’re looking for a substitute with a similar flower, you’ll love laceleaf (Anthurium spp.) They are a great beginner-friendly option, whose long-lasting flowers will re-bloom with proper care, and come in a variety of bold colors.
2. Dumbcane → Cast Iron Plant
While dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp.) ingestion is not typically fatal, it’ll certainly make your cat uncomfortable. It can cause swelling, drooling, and irritation in the mouth, as well as vomiting and decreased appetite. If you’ve got one of these plants in your home, it’s best to swap it out for something like the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). It has deep green leaves, and grows to a similar size as dumb cane, making it a great alternative. Perhaps the best part is that they’re virtually indestructible, so if you’ve got a black thumb, this plant is a great choice for you!
3. Pothos → Wax Plant
Pothos (Epipremnum spp.) come in many varieties, and are lovely trailing plants that bring a little something different to the table. But unfortunately, they make for a pretty awful snack for your cat. Effects are similar to the aforementioned dumb cane, so ingestion is not fatal but certainly uncomfortable. Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) is another trailing plant that’s totally safe for your cat to nibble, and is a great choice for hanging baskets. Plus, they have breathtaking umbels of white and pink flowers throughout the growing season.
4. Aloe → Zebra Cactus
Though it’s nice to have aloe (Aloe vera) on hand, especially in summer, it’s unfortunately not cat-friendly. The part of the plant that causes illness is not the gel inside the leaves, but the latex within the exterior part of the leaf. Aloe ingestion can cause abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and other complications if not treated promptly. Luckily, zebra cacti (Haworthia spp.) look very similar to aloe and are totally safe! And like aloe, they are very tolerant of dry soil, perfect for the person who sometimes forgets to water their plants. 😉
5. Monstera → Money Tree
Monsteras (Monstera deliciosa) are a super popular houseplant, and for good reason. They’re really cool looking, are easy to propagate and share with friends, and they can grow quite large. Thankfully, if your cat takes a small bite of your monstera it isn’t typically fatal. However, they’ll experience intense irritation of the mouth, gums, throat, and stomach which could lead to vomiting. Nobody wants that! Money trees (Pachira aquatica) are non-toxic, woody plants that have large, glossy leaves and are often sold with braided trunks for aesthetic appeal. It doesn’t hurt that this plant is also associated with luck and prosperity!
Exclusive Offer:
Get 30% Off Your First Month
Save 30% on your first auto-ship order with the code CAT30. Ready to revolutionize your litter box experience? Click below to enjoy hassle-free cat care, impeccable odor control, and unbeatable convenience, all at an exceptional value. Join Kitty Poo Club today and start your journey to a cleaner, happier home for you and your cat.