Which Tall Indoor Plants Are Safe for Cats?


Do you love interior plants but worry about which tall indoor plants are safe for cats? Don’t fret! Plenty of tall indoor plants look amazing, require minimal fuss, and are perfectly safe for cats. 

Here is our best selection of tall non-toxic houseplants safe for cats:

  • Date palm
  • Baby Tears
  • Bromeliad
  • Orchid
  • Gloxinia
  • Ponytail palm
  • Rattlesnake Plant
  • Parlor Palm
  • African Violet
  • Calathea Orbifolia

As a bonus, many of these tall indoor plants also purify the air in your home – creating a healthier living space for you and your loved ones (including your furry four-legged friends). 

So read on to find out which beautiful tall houseplants you should invest in for a stylish plant display with zero guilt.

Shall we?

Date palm

This bold statement piece looks right at home in a modern living room. Date palms are tall and stately, with long sweeping fronds that add instant lushness to your decor. Best of all, they’re non-toxic for cats. 

However, while the tree may be harmless, fertilizers or pesticides may risk your cat’s health. Additionally, if your cat is prone to climbing, it’s essential to ensure they don’t accidentally ingest any fronds or get stuck in the tree.

So while a date palm may be a beautiful addition to your home, always practice caution and keep your furry friend’s safety in mind.

Baby Tears

Baby tears are a fast-growing, low-maintenance houseplant that cascades over the side of a hanging basket or container. The small, delicate leaves come in varying colors of green and silver. As a bonus, baby tears release oxygen back into the air during nighttime, making them ideal for bedrooms or comfy nooks.

Bright, indirect light is ideal for these plants and barely moist soil. However, be careful not to over-water them, which can cause their roots to rot. Baby tears are also sensitive to cold temperatures, so the temperature never drops below 45°F (7.2C).

Baby tears also prefer high humidity and should only be heavily fed in the spring and summer. Use loose soil that drains quickly, and keep this plant away from drafts. These considerations mean baby tears are not ideal for beginner gardeners – but if you’re willing to research, this stunning houseplant is worth it.

Bromeliad

If you want a tropical touch to your home, look no further than bromeliads. These beautiful plants come in varying shapes, sizes, and colors – making them an excellent choice for any size room. 

However, like all potted houseplants, the soil used for your bromeliad should be porous and well-draining. 

Bromeliads also need bright, indirect light and should be moist but not soggy. Furthermore, they prefer high humidity. Consider misting your bromeliad regularly or setting it on a pebble tray filled with water to increase the moisture in the air around them.

Orchid

The beautiful orchid is a staple of virtually any indoor garden. Their tall, graceful blooms come in various shades and sizes – making them an ideal way to spruce up your home decor.

They thrive in bright, indirect light and need high humidity and airflow around their roots. Orchid plants need regular periods of drying alternated with heavy watering. For best results, keep the temperature between 50 and 85 degrees F.

Use porous and well-draining soil, and keep your orchid away from drafts. Finally, be careful not to overwater, which can cause the roots to rot. With their stunning blooms and effortless grace, orchids are the perfect addition to any indoor garden.

Gloxinia

Gloxinia(Sinningia speciosa) is an ideal tall houseplant that is beautiful and safe for cats. The plant belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, and its lush green leaves and vibrant blossoms make it a popular choice for indoor gardening.

Many houseplants can be dangerous or even deadly to cats if ingested, but Gloxinia is entirely safe. This is because the plant contains no toxic chemicals or compounds harmful to cats.

In terms of care, Gloxinia prefers bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. Avoiding direct sunlight is essential, as this can cause the leaves to burn. Since it is a tropical plant, it prefers warm, humid conditions, so it is a good idea to mist the leaves regularly with a spray bottle.

Ponytail palm

Ponytail palms (Beaucarnea recurvata) are unique houseplants with curved trunks and upward-facing fronds. They’re slow-growing plants that are safe for cats and require minimal maintenance to keep them looking healthy.

These plants are tolerant of low light, but they do best in bright, indirect sunlight. You should keep the soil reasonably dry; water from spring through fall and allow the top inch or two of soil to dry completely before watering again. Ponytail palms prefer warm temperatures, so keep them away from cold drafts.

If roots are overwatered, they can rot, so only water when the soil is dry. Finally, they can be fed with a light fertilizer once or twice a month – in the spring and summer. Ponytail palms are an excellent choice for any home garden with their unique look and minimal maintenance requirements.

Rattlesnake Plant

Calathea lancifolia is a striking tropical foliage plant known to many as the Rattlesnake Plant. This stunning species has deep green leaves patterned with silver stripes and spots, making it an excellent choice for adding texture to your home décor.

Regarding care, the Rattlesnake Plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight and high humidity. To maintain its lush growth, water the soil regularly using tepid water and mist the leaves to increase humidity. Additionally, it’s essential to keep the temperature between 64.4-73 degrees F and avoid draughts. 

Overwatering or not providing enough light can cause brown spots on the leaves, so be sure to monitor your plant’s conditions carefully.

Parlor Palm

Parlor Palms are lovely for so many reasons. This tall, low-maintenance houseplant is an excellent choice for adding a bit of greenery to any home. Its graceful fronds have an upright, feathery appearance that adds texture and depth to any room.

The Parlor Palm enjoys bright, indirect light and prefers warm temperatures. It needs a minimum winter temperature of 60 °F but tolerates lower light levels. High to moderate humidity is preferred, but the plant will adapt if necessary. 

Although not a heavy feeder, it should be fertilized during its growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer. Be sure to avoid over-fertilizing and allow the soil to dry between waterings, which can cause root rot.

Dracaena Marginata

If you’re looking for a tall, dramatic houseplant safe for cats, look no further than Dracaena marginata (commonly known as the Dragon tree). This large, evergreen shrub has stiff, upright leaves with bright red edges that add color to any room.

Dracaena marginata thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers warm temperatures. It needs minimal water; allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Also, please keep it away from drafts or extreme temperature changes.

It’s important to note that these plants are prone to root rot if overwatered, so use caution when watering. If you give it proper care and plenty of light, you can expect your Dracaena marginata to thrive for years.

Philodendron

With such popularity, it’s no wonder why the Philodendron is one of the most common houseplants around. This easy-care plant has large, heart-shaped leaves that are some of the most beautiful foliage and come in various colors.

Always ensure that the soil of your Philodendron is kept consistently moist but not soggy. Bright, indirect sunlight is preferred, but they will tolerate low light and direct sun. They thrive in temperatures between 65 and 70°F during the night and 75 to 85°F during the day.

These plants are also heavy feeders and should be fertilized regularly with a nitrogen fertilizer. This will produce larger, healthier leaves and an overall beautiful plant. With their stunning foliage and easy-care nature, Philodendron is the perfect houseplant for any home.

Aloe Vera

The Aloe vera plant is a succulent known for its healing properties. But did you know it also makes an excellent houseplant? This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant is great for adding greenery to your home.

Regarding care, Aloe vera needs bright, indirect light and temperatures between 55-80°F. You should water it thoroughly, but only when the soil has completely dried. Overwatering can cause root rot, so use caution when watering.

This plant is also a heavy feeder and should be fertilized every two to three weeks during its growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer. The Aloe vera plant will be a welcome addition to any home with its healing properties and easy-care nature.

Lush Your Garden!

 Keeping your cat and houseplants safe doesn’t have to be a balancing act. Plenty of tall indoor plants are safe for cats, so why not make one the centerpiece of your home’s décor?

The plants will bring vibrancy to your space while allowing your furry friend to explore their environment and expand their world. From Date palms to Aloe, you can add greenery and texture while keeping you and your cat happy.

Now that you know which tall indoor plants are safe for cats, it’s time to get shopping! Furnish your living area with a splash of plant life, and rest assured, knowing you have chosen a pet-friendly option.

Elisham Mwela

Elisham Mwela is a copywriter and digital marketer with progressive experience. He works hard to make sure his clients are well-informed, educated, and satisfied with the end product. He also has an extensive knowledge of SEO (Surfer-SEO expert), which allows him to help businesses rank higher on Google searches for their products or services. When he’s not writing, he is cycling, drawing, or singing and reading the Bible.

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