Houseplants are a common sight in nearly every home. They brighten your living space, help improve indoor air quality, and have been shown to help reduce anxiety and depression – plus many people find caring for plants therapeutic. Unfortunately, if you have cats there are many houseplants that you should avoid bringing into your home due to their toxic properties – especially since cats are notoriously mischievous and prone to chewing on things. Here are some popular houseplants that you should avoid if you have cats.
- Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are one of the most common flowering houseplants, particularly around Easter time. Their dark leaves, white flowers, and low maintenance needs make them a very popular choice for Spring décor. However, peace lilies contain calcium oxalates and if consumed, can cause vomiting, irritation of the mouth and GI tract, excessive drooling, and in severe cases, difficulty swallowing or breathing. They are only dangerous when ingested and are completely safe to touch.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants are a staple in many homes and gained popularity thanks to the medicinal properties of the gel from their leaves. Aloe vera is characterized by thick, succulent-like leaves with jagged edges that grow upwards from a rosette-like base. While Aloe may have therapeutic properties for humans, it is toxic to cats and can cause lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.
