In today’s article, we’re going to talk about nontoxic houseplants for cats. Or better to say about indoor trees safe for cats.
Toxic plants are the last thing we want when we have pets. Some of these plants aren’t toxic for cats but it doesn’t mean they’re not toxic to both cats and dogs.
Just because they’re non-toxic houseplants doesn’t mean they’re less pretty than the regular plants you would like to have in your home. No, not at all. Despite that fact, these damaging plants are great indoor trees safe for cats and you’ll enjoy them.
Not worrying about your pet’s health is just a benefit you get with them!
Make that coffee and let’s start ladies!
1. Polka Dot Plant In Your Home
The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is an attractive plant with brightly colored leaves that differ from the other leaves. The most common dotted plants have the primary pink color and green leaves with spots.
However, because there are more varieties with spots or spots with purple, white, red, and deeper colors and bright contrasts, you will see more plants.
Lighting Conditions
When grown indoors, polka dots prefer shady places. Choose a planting place with little or no light. Otherwise, the color of the leaves may fade and the decorative value of the plant may decrease. Choose bright light (bright sunlight) or indirect light for this lovely plant. Too much light can kill its leaves.
Watering Schedule
Do not allow the soil to dry completely. This is because the leaves wither and the plant can fight for survival. Make sure the soil is not wet (always moist soil is a bad idea) This is because the roots can rot and the plant can die. Water the plants when 1/2 inch of soil is dry.
Soil Needs
Dotted plants prefer soil rich in organic matter that drains well. Universal potted organic mixtures are usually suitable for these plants. Mix a little pumice stone or perlite to improve soil drainage. This evergreen tree grows very easily and looks great with little care.
Fertilizer
Feed the plants in organic containers once a month during the warm growing season. This plant is a heavy nutrient.
Propagation
Dotted plants usually “have legs.” You will need clean, sharp scissors or cutters to prevent the plants from forming long, flat branches. Get a bushy habit by weaving or gathering the top two leaves of each stem each week. Active pruning helps plants grow healthy and strong.
More information on how to propagate a polka dot plant can you find also on our site.
2. Money Tree
The money tree, also known as the Guyana chestnut, is a tree native to Central and South America, and its hardy nature makes it an attractive houseplant. The tree grows rapidly indoors or outdoors, reaching a height of 24 inches per year. It belongs to a group of air plants.
What do you think How long do air plants live?
Lighting conditions
Indoors, money trees can tolerate direct sunlight, but indoors, they should be exposed to at least six hours of light a day and moderate bright indirect sunlight. It also works well under fluorescent lighting.
Watering schedule
Money trees should be watered regularly whenever the top of the soil dries out. Water frequently in spring and summer and less in autumn and winter. Money trees grow well with plenty of water, but be careful not to over-water them, as they can die quickly.
Soil Needs
Money trees have well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Peat moss mixtures are great, but standard fast-draining soil mixtures, such as regular cactus or flower soil, will work as well.
Fertilizer
Money trees should be fertilized monthly in spring and summer when the plants actively produce new leaves and once every two months in autumn and winter.
Propagation
Multiply the money tree by cuttings in spring or summer, when the plants are actively growing. Start by cutting 10 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of shoots and soaking them in water to allow the roots to grow.
After a few weeks, when the roots are fully developed, the cuttings are immersed in the rooting hormone and sent to the soil.
3. More About Spider Plants
Despite its surprising name, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are one of the most popular houseplants. When grown at home, these perennials will live in less-than-ideal conditions in warm weather.
It would be great if it could adequately mimic the original tropical environment, providing warm temperature and humid air.
Lighting conditions
In open spaces, spiders prefer to grow in bright shades. They can tolerate heavy shade, but the growth is not so strong. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Open windows or curtain doors that let indirect light inside are ideal.
Watering schedule
Spiders prefer slightly moist soil, but not wet. Too much water can cause root rot and plant death. This plant is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in the water, which can cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown. So, if possible, use rainwater or distilled water for container plants.
Soil Needs
Although this plant can grow on a variety of soils, it prefers fast-draining clay and loose clay. Spider plants prefer soils with a fairly neutral pH, but can tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Due to the high salt content of the soil, the tips of the leaves may turn brown.
Fertilizer
The plant likes to be fed once a month in moderate amounts during the active spring and summer growing season. Too much fertilizer can make the tips of the leaves turn brown, but too little can weaken the growth.
Propagation
Even beginners can do this:
- When the small roots of the plant on the stem of a spider plant are at least 1-2 inches long, it is time to multiply.
- Use sharp scissors to carefully cut the plant from the stem and preserve the roots.
- Pour into a plastic container in clay or well-drained jars and keep moist until the soil settles.
- For plants that have not developed roots, place a small pot filled with soil next to the parent plant.
4. Banana Tree And Its Features
Although these tropical fruit plants are commonly called trees, they are technically large herbaceous plants that do not have tree trunks. Instead, they have fleshy, straight stems that grow on large, elongated, bright green leaves.
Lighting conditions
Most banana plants prefer sunlight. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, some varieties burn easily and work best in partial shade.
Watering schedule
Because banana plant belongs to tropical and subtropical forests, they need a lot of water and moisture. They work best when planted in groups that are very close to each other. This is because this will help retain moisture in the leaves.
Soil Needs
The plant prefers deep soils that are rich in organic matter, well-drained, and slightly acidic in pH. They are generally sensitive to soil salinity.
Fertilizer
Bananas are heavy nutrients. Always use a well-balanced fertilizer during the growing season, according to the instructions on the label. Also, add compost to the soil every year to increase the organic matter content.
Propagation
The best way to multiply this indoor tree is division. To implement banana plants, separate the vein ration to the acute pica. Wait for the loss to be at least 3 meters and carrots before doing so.
After removing the suction cup from the parent plant, the surface of the root part is dried for a day.
5. Rubber Tree For A Nicer Home Decor
Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant, is a unique-shaped variety common in the tropics of Southeast Asia. And is one of the most famous ficus plant types.
This long-lived plant has large oval leaves with a rich shade of emerald green and can grow up to 100 feet in the wild.
To learn more about it, and to get more details, you can click on this article about Rubber Tree.
Lighting conditions
Like many plants of this kind, rubber plants love bright, diffused light. They can tolerate mild morning sunlight but can burn the leaves, so they should be removed from strong direct sunlight in the afternoon.
Watering schedule
Water the rubber plant regularly. They always like to be wet, but not wet. The rubber shaft is also weak to extreme drought and tolerates drought well.
Soil Needs
Rubber plants do not choose the composition of the soil. As a rule, soil with fast and good drainage is enough. Many indoor gardeners choose a mixture of cacti. Rubber plants also love acidic soil mixtures.
Fertilizer
Give the plants a light liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. When you are healthy, you eat relatively large amounts.
Some experts recommend light fertilization of houseplants to prevent them from spreading or sticking to the roots because they grow so fast.
Propagation
Rubber trees can be propagated from cuttings, but it is not easy and it may be easier to buy a pot. In the case of cuttings, apply root hormone and pay attention to high humidity and high heat.
6. Bamboo Palm For Meow’s Safety
Despite its name, the bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is not a bamboo at all, but a species of palm in the Araceae family. Originally from Mexico and Central America, this tropical plant grows naturally as a forest plant.
Lighting conditions
Bamboo palm trees are tropical plants that are ideal for medium to low light conditions. Unlike other palm trees, it does not require strong light. It works well in a variety of lighting conditions, from low to bright, and can withstand placement in a north-facing window.
Watering schedule
The soil of the bamboo palm should be evenly moist, but never moist. Bamboo palms are sensitive to both excessive moisture and excessive moisture, but it is better to be in the water than to get too wet. Wet but well-drained soil is good for bamboo palms.
Soil Needs
Porous but humus-rich soil is ideal. Changing the standard potted soil with peat moss, orchid shells and perlite is the perfect DIY soil mix for your bamboo palm trees. Granular and timely fertilizers give good results.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the pots and water them. Do not fertilize in autumn and winter when the plants are dormant.
Propagation
Bamboo palms are prone to injury and can be difficult to spread. Baked bamboo palms are separated to create suction cups that can be planted as new plants.
Use a clean, sharp knife to separate the branch from the mother plant.
7. Ponytail Palm Alert
The tail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a surprisingly interesting table plant. When grown outdoors, it can become a full-fledged tree that climbs over the house.
Despite its common name and leaf shape, it is not a real palm, but a member of the Asparagus family, which includes edible asparagus.
Lighting conditions
Horsetail palms like full sun or bright indirect lighting. If you grow it as a houseplant, place it in the brightest area (a window with direct sunlight or a window with lots of indirect light).
Watering schedule
For potted houseplants, water the tail palm every 7 to 14 days during the growing season. Stems like onions retain water, so be careful not to water them too much. Reduce monthly watering in winter.
Soil Needs
This plant is native to the semi-desert regions of Central America and when grown outdoors works well in relatively sandy but rich organic soils. Like houseplants, it works well on succulent cactus mixes added to peat to increase their abundance.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, use a liquid fertilizer every week or use granular fertilizer that is gradually released in the spring. They eat less in winter.
Propagation
On the palms of the ponytail, there is sometimes a movement from the base, which can be removed and raised individually.
This is usually a difficult problem to master because offsets have no roots. If you want to use it, use vascular hormones to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels.
8. Rattlesnake Plant Is Ready
Goeppertia insignis is an evergreen tropical perennial that usually grows indoors in Brazil. It can be difficult to take care of, but if you take care of it, you will be rewarded with an impressive wool look, with stunning leaves and green tones with wavy patterns along the edges.
Lighting conditions
Filtered lighting is the best choice. If you want to keep your snake with bells by a window, choose a place that does not receive sunlight or use curtains to spread the light.
Watering schedule
In summer, snake plants should be watered regularly to keep the soil or pot mixture moist as they grow. Allow the soil to dry before watering again in winter.
Choose a soil that drains well. This plant does not tolerate constant watering, but it likes to retain moisture.
Soil Needs
A jar mix of two parts light sandy soil or peat moss and one part perlite works well. Algae plants prefer slightly acidic or neutral pH levels, but alkaline soils should be avoided.
Fertilizer
Feed the snake plants monthly during the spring and summer growing season. Promote healthy leaf growth by using a balanced liquid fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the product label for the dose to be used.
Propagation
This evergreen tree grows very easily and looks great with little care. The splitting process can be done in the spring when you plan to replant the plants.
9. Don’t Forget Areca Palm
It is hard to believe that the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is an endangered species native to Madagascar. Walk on almost every street in the warm American climate and you will find dozens of large, attractive, granular palm trees that look like bamboo. The areca palm is most similar to the cat palm.
Lighting conditions
This plant likes bright, filtered sunlight, but can tolerate full sunlight. Inside, areca palm trees work best with strong light from a south- or west-facing windows.
Watering schedule
Like most palm trees, the Areca palm prefers moist soil, but is sensitive to excessive watering and does not tolerate flooding or settling on submerged soil.
Allow the soil or potting soil to dry slightly between waterings. The areca palm is sensitive to fluoridated water, so use distilled water or collected rainwater.
Soil Needs
Well-drained peat soil is ideal for potted houseplants. It may be necessary to adjust the sand and peat to improve porosity and reduce soil pH.
Fertilizer
Areca palms are highly fertilizing plants and should be fertilized with a liquid fertilizer from spring to early autumn, according to the label’s instructions. In late fall and winter, do not give while the plant is dormant.
Propagation
To divide the root area of the palms areca plant:
- Choose mature plants with multiple stems.
- Water well the day before splitting to prevent the roots from sticking to the ground. Remove the palms from the pot by touching the sides of the container to release the root diseases.
- Shake the soil from the roots. Rinse the soil from the roots to see the roots associated with each class.
- Select 4-5 stems and cut the parent stems with a sharp knife. Carefully place the separate stems in a pot with a mixture of two or a simple piece of potting soil and coarse sand.
10. Staghorn Fern Is Lovely Too
Staghorn ferns are very similar to deer antlers or elk horns, hence the name. Originally from Asia and Australia, this plant belongs to the Polypodiaceae family. It grows slowly, but at maturity, it is quite large and impressive.
This isn’t the only fern that’s nontoxic to pets. To read about other ones as well click on the article about other types of ferns.
Lighting conditions
Staghorn ferns prefer constant, shaded light. They say that with enough water, heat, and humidity, it can absorb more sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, as the soft leaves can burn easily.
Watering schedule
Proper watering is an important part of the success of fern buds. You should water it regularly, but let the floor dry once a week in warmer climates or summer and once every two to three weeks in the cold months.
Soil Needs
Young ferns can start in a traditional mixture of moist pots, but curly ferns should be planted as they mature. Staghorn ferns are epiphytic plants that grow on the wild side of trees and other plants and bloom in similar conditions at home.
The assembly requires an initial deposit of peat, compost, moss, or other organic matter, which serves as a foundation, but does not require additional soil.
Fertilizer
To promote the growth of curly ferns, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every month. This is best done in spring and summer when ferns are actively growing.
Propagation
Staghorn ferns reproduce by spores or fission. Large and mature staghorn can be easily divided into smaller plants, and small “pieces” of leaves and pellets can also be planted separately. Make sure the new device is warm and moist until it grows on its own.
11. Parlor Palm
Salmon palm (Chamaedorea Elegans) has long been used as a houseplant. This beautiful plant with green leaves was first discovered in Central America and brought to the United States, where it immediately became a popular indoor palm.
Lighting conditions
These plants’ need for light is considered low, but that does not mean “without light”. The palm trees in the lounge are covered with filtered bright sunlight. It often works well with Nordic exposures.
Watering schedule
Parlor palm palms, like many palm trees, are sensitive to excessive watering and do not tolerate sitting in swamps or saturated soil. Ideally, keep the humidity uniform.
Soil Needs
Based on the high-quality peat in the house, the soil for the pots is enough. Prevent the mixture from decomposing and becoming a sponge.
Outdoors, this palm tree grows well on almost any soil: sand, clay, or loam.
Fertilizer
Apply liquid fertilizer once or twice during the growing season and not at all in winter. This plant is easy to feed.
Propagation
These plants are almost always propagated from seed by professional growers. The root mass can be successfully divided into two small pellets, but this is not recommended because it puts too much force on the plant and roots.
Plants That Are Toxic To Cats
In life, we love two things: plants and pets. The bad news is that many common plants are not safe for cats and dogs.
Some plants can be toxic to pets when ingested and can sometimes cause seizures, tremors, or more. Toxic plants for your cats are:
- Oleander;
- Peace Lily;
- Pothos, Devil’s Ivy;
- Sago Palm;
- Spanish Thyme;
- Tulip;
- Yew.
In Conclusion About Indoor Trees Safe For Cats
I am sure that you will now choose plants more carefully for your apartment if you have pets, ie cats. We learned all about plants that are non-toxic to your cats, and those that are life-threatening to your paw friends.
Remember, of course, these are no less beautiful plants, these are equally wonderful and durable plants for your apartment and interior.
These 11 indoor trees safe for cats will bring a change to your home.
I hope you enjoyed this article. See you soon. Good luck!