Adding houseplants to your home décor can be challenging and dangerous when you have cats. Certain houseplants are extremely toxic for cats and should be avoided at all costs. The good news is that many cat-friendly indoor plants are safe for your pets and some even purify the air!
When you go plant shopping, always do a quick Google search on the scientific name of the houseplant you are interested in. Many plants have similar common names but may be in a completely different family.
TOP TIP: If your cat is eating your houseplants, get them some catnip or cat grass to eat instead. Cats eat grass or other plants to get more fiber into their diet. This helps aid with digestion and improves their gut health. Better yet, you can grow your own with these handy Catnip Grow Kit and Cat Grass Grow Kit from KAT KULT.
Here are 5 cat-friendly indoor plants that are great air purifiers:
Parlor Palm
Also known as the Bamboo Palm or Areca Palm, the Parlor Palm is one of the most ubiquitous indoor palms. With its delicate sprays of grass-green foliage, this plant adds instant drama to any bright room and out of direct sunlight. Like other cat-friendly indoor plants on this list, The Parlor Palm also removes a variety of toxins from the air, including Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, and a whole lot more. Cats love to chew on the leaves.
Chinese Money Plant
Known as the Pilea Peperomiodes, the Chinese Money Plant truly stand out in the crowd like a Lucky Cat! Their ease of care is linked to their slightly succulent foliage. They love to dry out and prefer a bright dappled position, with some soft early or late direct sunlight, which will keep your plant looking full. The large round flat leaves of the Chinese Money Plant tend to have a few more stomata, the breathing apparatus of a plant, that makes it more efficient at converting Carbon Dioxide into Oxygen, adding yet another benefit of having this fabulous plant in your home: fresh purified air. It’s a good idea to keep the Chinese Money plant on a bright shelf and away from your cat to preserve the aesthetic of this delightful plant. Luckily, they’re safe for cats, so if your furry friend does take a nibble, or use it as its own personal plant petter, then your cat will be perfectly fine.
Baby Rubber Plant
The Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a tough, evergreen plant with thick glossy and ovate foliage. The species is highly adaptable and love bright indirect light or artificial light. Due to the Baby Rubber Plant’s semi-succulent nature, they do not require frequent watering. The plant also comes in a stellar variety of colours and patterns, including Marbled, Red Edged and Pixie Variegated. They are top-of-the-line when it comes to air purification according to a NASA Clean Air Study. The species can reduce indoor Formaldehyde levels by 47%, leaving the air as clean and safe as it can be.
Australian Sword Fern ‘Emerald Queen’
With its long flowing fronds and ease of care, the Australian Sword Fern ‘Emerald Queen’ (Nephrolepis Obliterata Emerald Queen) is an ideal plant for any home. Ferns love humidity and medium to bright light. If you’re looking for something to liven up a bathroom or kitchen, a Sward Fern is a go-to. The Nephrolepis is rated number 9 on NASA’s top 50 air purifying plants and will therefore remove any Formaldehyde, Xylene and Toluene from the air, helping you have fresher air and a safe healthy cat!
Prayer Plant
Prayer Plants (Marantha leuroneura ), like their cousin Calatheas, are truly beautiful. Their striking leaf patterns and dancing foliage make them a wonderful addition to your plant collection. Tricolors are known for their stunning red lines, Lemon and Lime for their deep green foliage surrounded by bright greens, and Kerchoveana for their stunning dark spots. Perfect for matching your interior. Prayer Plants like similar care to the Calathea, however, we find they are a little harder. Provide them with good humidity and a medium to bright light position for best results. They tend to develop smaller leaves if their lighting conditions are on the lower side, and this is a good indicator that you may want to change their positioning. The Prayer Plant is not only a good-looking specimen but has also been rated as one of NASA’s top air purifiers. It has the ability to remove most toxins from the air in 30sq meters of Space. What’s not to love? Cat Care Top Tip: As with the Calathea, the Prayer plant with its dancing foliage, can be a highly attractive toy for your furry friend. Especially because they tend to grow outward, making it the perfect plant to swat. Place it high out of reach, or use it in a spot where your cats are less likely to bother your houseplants, as this one is best appreciated from above.
