Houseplants I can't kill that aren't poisonous to cats

Hi folks. This is my first post here so if this question has already been asked a quick link would be great.

I've just started keeping houseplants (having more success with some than others) and my cats are very interested in them so I need to know what I should buy that won't kill them or give them an upset tummy.

Also, I'd like to know what the easiest plants are to look after. Those that don't mind a bit more water would be perfect as I think I'm a bit over zealous on that front sometimes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks :)

Hi & welcome to Dave's. It's easy to find toxicity info for most common house plants, so you could eliminate the dangerous ones on your own, from available plants in your area you find attractive. Then folks can tell you if any are divas on the list of what's left. Sending you out to find plants that may not be there could be frustrating for you & the person suggesting.

Also, knowing what plants are doing well for you already could help suggest those that like similar conditions. Do your pots have drain holes? If you like to water often, you might have better results with something more chunky, porous, that dries more quickly, less tiny particles like peat or sand.

Check this link to our ASPCA…It may give a place to start… http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

And also speak with your Vet. :-)

You will be pretty limited with that criteria. pretty much cacti, spider plants, Cast Iron plant, and Parlor, Kentia, and Lady Palm. If you have a place out of reach from the cats you could try, Peace Lily, ZZ Plant, Chinese Evergreen, and Dracaena(all are only mildly toxic and most animals would stop chewing the instant they take a bite so no real harm can be done). I would be cautious about Dieffenbachia though and never buy Sago Palm, Cardboard Palm, or "true" Lilies(Peace Lily isn't a true lily). Oh and I forgot Christmas cactus, Rhipsalis, and Easter Cactus( This one's a little tricky) for the non toxic ones.

Firstly. Sorry about posting and disappearing for ages.

More importantly, thank you, for all your advice. It's really helpful.

The plants that seem to be doing quite well are a banana plant, a coffee plant, some small palms of some description ('kentia palms'? I'm such a noob - I'll try and get some pics up for identification purposes) and a fairly large cheese plant.

Thanks, @purpleinopp for the advice on planting materials. I've, literally, just grabbed a bunch of different plants from various places (shops not outdoors) and they all came in what I imagine is pretty standard compost. The smaller leaved plants haven't been having much luck at all. I think I've been so worried about under-watering that I've been drowning some of them. (Poor sods didn't stand a chance with the deluge king!)

@tlm1 - That link looks like it will be very useful. Many thanks, for that.

And @CactusBoss I was thinking forms of cactus and succulents might be a way to go. Can't imagine the kitties would like spiked tongues. Thanks, for the list. I'll start investigating the plants you mentioned.

Once again, thank you all. You've given me some great advice and some interesting ideas to consider.

Cheers :D

Your question about "poisonous" plants and cats is a good, and very common,one. My experience (30 years with cats and plants) is that the ones that aren't on the toxic list are very tasty to cats - I can't keep palms or spider plants in my house, they get eaten to nubs. However, the toxic ones, while they may get chomped now and then, don't get eaten, and don't cause problems. Except dieffenbachia, I suggest you don't really need one of those. I wrote a post on my blog, The Ficus Wrangler, dated 5/14/13, in which I talk about my thoughts about this.

Your questions about what are the easiest plants to grow are also good, and there are lots of lists of easiest, or hardest to kill, which you can reference. But if you want to get into growing houseplants, you'll need to learn the basics of watering first. I invite you to the Ficus Wrangler YouTube channel, where I've tried to gather up some simple tips gleaned from my years as a plant care professional. Try this one to get started http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBBh0RPPqu0