House plants are an excellent way to make your house feel welcoming and warm. They look good, smell wonderful, and can really be beneficial to you! Unfortunately, most homes today can contain a lot of toxic air pollutants and dangerous chemicals! In fact, some common houseplants even cause allergic reactions in people who are highly sensitive to them.
One of the most common houseplants that can cause allergic reactions is lilies! These beautiful flowers can sometimes provoke such strong reactions that people do not like to use them in their homes or have them around their pets. But do not fear, because there are other beautiful, safe alternatives to lilies that are perfectly safe for cats.
Some common Christmas cactus plants are Hosta and Calendula. These are flowers that are often used as gifts during the holiday season. But these plants are not perfect for your home. Hosta and Calendula can make your pet extremely itchy, which may actually cause the pet severe skin irritation.
If you still need more Christmas cactus or Hosta plants, there are plenty of beautiful non-toxic gerbera daisies that are also perfect for your home or your pet. Gerbera daisies have beautiful flowers that look wonderful in any indoor foyer or dining room. They do not cause any skin irritation or allergic reactions. Even so, it is important to note that if you or your cat is highly allergic to any one particular flower, you should keep all of your floral air plants out of the house!
Finally, another all natural, great choice for your house is St. Augustine. It is a fairly large plant, which makes it safe for both your cats and dogs. Although, like many other plants, it is not quite safe for birds. However, it will be safe for many smaller pets. In fact, it is considered by most to be a “non toxic” for both dogs and cats.
While most flowering plants do not cause negative side effects in either dogs or cats, there are some that are known to have toxic properties. The most common toxic plants are those that contain volatile oil. These plants can irritate the eyes and skin. In some cases, people have died from direct exposure to flowering plant leaves!
One of the safest plants to have indoors, especially if your cat or dog is hypersensitive, is Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums are also generally considered non-allergenic. The only issue with Chrysanthemums is that they typically have small yellow blooms, which tend to attract cats. It is best to keep your Chrysanthemums in a separate location, such as on a shelf or other enclosed area. In addition, if you have young children, you should consider keeping your indoor plants on a different floor.
One of the least toxic plants that you can have indoors is the orchid. Even though orchids do tend to attract cats, they are generally considered safe for most pets. Of course, if you have a feline at home, it is not a good idea to give your orchid a try. However, most orchids are safe for cats, and many orchids bloom at a late, unique time, just as Spring comes.
Finally, there is the popular banana tree. This attractive shrub is nontoxic, but it does grow to be quite a bit taller than other varieties. The great thing about bananas is that they are easy to maintain. You simply spread new leaves on a weekly basis, and you don’t need to worry about them much at all. Plus, bananas come in an array of colors, so you have a good chance of finding one to match your decor.
Some African Violets are considered to be safe for cats. However, like all flowers, African Violets must be given proper care if you want them to blossom at all. Like all other plants, you must water them only once a week during the wet season, and you must pull them out of the soil before the last frosts have appeared. In addition, there is the chance that you may inadvertently scratch a leaf and damage the flower. If this happens, all you have to do is cut off the damaged stem part and re-purchase the plant.
In summary, you need to determine which flowers you would prefer if you were in an apartment without any natural vegetation in the yard. Then, purchase flowers that are not likely to be harmful to your cat, whether or not they are flowering plant or not. Finally, give your cat plenty of extra attention and use a specific cleaning brush when necessary. When you do this, your indoor plants will be sure to bring you many years of enjoyment and beauty.
