How to make your plants cat-friendly

If you’ve got pets at home, you always want to make sure your plants won’t cause them any harm. It’s reassuring to remember that most cats will have absolutely no interest in eating plants and even ‘toxic’ plants will rarely cause any serious harm, but if you’re concerned your pet might have a sneaky nibble, there are ways to stop it.

Cats can be a bit more inquisitive than dogs and are able to get to higher spaces, so you have to be a bit clever. That said, it really doesn’t take much to fill your house with plants without causing any risk to your feline friends.

Here are a few tips on how to make your plant collection cat-friendly.

Obvious, of course, but you’ll guarantee safety by choosing non-toxic pet-friendly plants. There are loads. A few great choices are Big Ken the Kentia palm; Musa the dwarf Cavendish; Tristan the calathea triostar; and Penny the Chinese money plant.

Browse the full pet-friendly range and pick the ones you and your cat like best.

Only a cat with a ladder or a small helicopter could reach a plant in a hanging pot suspended from the ceiling.

Plants like Emma the tradescantia and Silvy the satin pothos look incredible tumbling out of hanging pots. Just be sure to keep the stems trimmed so they don’t reach the floor. 

Cats can find their way on to almost any surface, but even the most nimble moggy would be hard pushed to make their way on to a shelf completely packed with books.

Make a small space between a couple of hardbacks and squeeze in a pot or two. Great plants for shelves include Steve the crocodile fern (he doesn’t need much light) and Jethro the lipstick plant (he’s pretty and non-toxic).

Cats famously don’t enjoy the smell of citrus. That’s why you never see a cat sipping lemonade or eating marmalade. Growing your own citrus trees will fill your room with colour – and provide delicious fruit – and be of absolutely no interest to your cats.

Choose from Vivi the lemon, Kai the kumquat and Lionel the calamondin (a bit like a mix of lime and orange). Even better, have all three.