My prayer plant has been living in my apartment for over a year as a result of my participation in Plant Parenthood at the Chicago Botanic Garden, but my cat’s small, albeit devious brain has just now realized that she can actually eat it. The plant is now dead because the leaves become all ragged and shriveled.
Rita the plant-eating Rita, whom I adore. (Don’t worry, none of the plants in this picture have been taste-tested. Because they are poisonous to cats, the flamingo flower and ZZ plant are typically safely out of her reach.)
Fortunately, prayer plants are not harmful to cats; otherwise, the situation would be considerably worse. Usually, my cat shows zero interest in my plants. However, my cat’s new behavior made me consider both pets and houseplants. Many people think they can’t have plants after getting a pet (and vice versa). But with a little adaption on both ends, the two can live in harmony.
I made a call to Deb Moore, a floriculturist from the Garden’s Plant Production Department, to request advice on how to maintain a calm, pet- and plant-friendly house.
1. Opt for harmless plants
Make sure the houseplants are non-toxic if you wish to keep them in your pet-friendly home. While some of these may upset your stomach if you eat them, they are considerably safer than plants that are harmful. Here are some of the popular indoor plants that are risk-free for pets:
- prayer tree
- Black violet
- Echeveria, Haworthia, and Sempervivum are examples of succulents.
- Vegetable spider
- orchid moths
- palm a pony
- Catnip
- Basil
- Holiday cactus
2. Keep plants out of the way
A simple method to prevent pets from eating plants? Keep them out of sight! Plants should be placed on high shelves or, if your cat jumps, hung from baskets. Avoid or store plants that have mushy, crunchy, or thick leaves that your pets might also find appealing to nibble on (Aloe and Hoya). Even when not harmful, the outcome might not be to your liking, whether it be loose stools or a plant that has been obliterated, according to Moore.
3. Keep animals away from plants
Citrus and vinegar smells are repulsive to both cats and dogs. Some pet owners spray a water-based solution on their plants. Put some beautiful rocks on top of the soil to stop digging. Make sure your pet is receiving the care and love they require; otherwise, they can attack your plants out of boredom or to attract your attention.
Of course, you might want to consult your doctor if your pet’s plant-eating behavior becomes out of hand. The behavior of your pet may be indicative of a more serious problem. You can be certain with the aid of an experienced assessment.
My cat’s obsession with prayer plants has ended. After I removed the plants off my nightstand, she resumed just gnawing on cat-approved food and occasionally, me.
Do felines enjoy prayer plants?
Both Team and Pisegna mentioned the prayer plant as a plant that is suitable for both cats and dogs. Because of its beginnings on the bottom of the Amazon rain forest, it is also very tolerant of low light, making it ideal for NYC apartments.
Are cats safe around a Maranta prayer plant?
The Prayer Plant, also called Maranta leuconeura, is a tropical forest plant native to Central and South America. Humid areas with temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for its growth.
Cathedral Windows, Herringbone Plant, and Rabbit Tracks are further names for prayer plants.
Their oblong leaves lie dormant throughout the day but rise at night, resembling hands in prayer. The leaves have red veins and yellow splotches on a green background.
They are frequently kept as indoor plants because of their modest size and ornamental appearance.
Are cats safe to take Red Maranta?
- The Red Maranta Herringbone, commonly known as the Maranta Red Prayer, is a cat-safe plant. Like its sibling, the Calathea Prayer Plant, this hardy houseplant is simple to grow and travels throughout the day to follow the sun. Because the Maranta Red Prayer grows slowly, you don’t have to be concerned about it becoming out of hand anywhere you have a prayer plant. This plant has broad, round, deep green to lighter green leaves that are reddish-pinstriped in hue. Its leaves have a purple red color on the undersides. Large lavender flowers are produced by this cultivar. Prayer plants are adored by our kitties! With their eye-catching color combinations, they’ll keep your cat busy exploring! Include this Maranta Red Prayer in your collection of Calatheas that are Cat Safe!
How should indoor prayer plants be cared for?
The prayer plant houseplant may tolerate low light levels to some extent, but it thrives in direct, bright sunlight. For optimum growth, the prayer plant demands well-drained soil and high humidity. Houseplants of the prayer plant should be kept damp but not drenched. From spring to fall, hydrate prayer plant houseplants with warm water and treat them with an all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks.
The soil has to remain drier throughout winter hibernation. However, keep in mind that dry air can also be an issue in the winter. As a result, grouping the prayer plant with other indoor plants and sprinkling it every day with warm water will help to increase the humidity in the air. It also helps to lay the plant’s container on top of a shallow dish of pebbles and water or a bowl of water close by. However, avoid letting the prayer plant submerge itself in water. The prayer plant prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 °F (16-27 C.).
Are cats poisoned by monstera?
Some of your indoor plants are just not safe if you have pets or young children, which is a sad but inevitable realization in the road of becoming a plant parent. While many common genera of houseplants are stunning to look at, many of them are moderately or seriously hazardous. Still others, when handled excessively, can irritate the skin.
The good news is that with enough preparation, you can determine which dangerous houseplants to stay away from, evaluate the risk to your family and pets, and still enjoy a lively and stunningly green collection of indoor plants.
Here are 10 toxic houseplants that, while we love them, should be used with caution if your children or pets will have access to them. A word of clarity, though, is in need before we proceed: “toxic is a relative term, and the severity of a reaction will depend largely on the level of exposure (amount consumed), which plant species, and the specifics of your pet. Some poisonous houseplants cause short-lived, acute symptoms (such as vomiting). Some can have more serious, life-threatening effects if swallowed in excess, while others only irritate the skin. This list is by no means intended to be comprehensive, so we strongly advise conducting additional research (ASPCA has a great database for pet owners).
Poisonous Houseplants for Pet Owners and Parents to Avoid
- Starting with one of the biggest players, Philodendron (and Monstera) is a vast genus of tropical plants that is particularly well-liked for usage inside because of its great variety of growing habits, leaf shapes, and colors. Plants in this genus are poisonous to dogs and cats as well as somewhat toxic to humans. Oral irritation, soreness and swelling in the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing are all signs of exposure.
Are cats safe around snake plants?
Sansevieria trifasciata, sometimes known as the snake plant, is a very common indoor plant since it requires very little maintenance. The ASCPA cautions that cats are poisonous when using it. When swallowed or chewed, the chemical components in snake plants known as saponins cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats.
What to do: Snake plants are less hazardous to cats than aloe, so avoid them. If your cat is displaying symptoms and you feel they are related to chewing on or eating a snake plant, call your veterinarian or a helpline right once. Instructions will be given to you in accordance with how serious your symptoms are.
Change it: The caeroba is a non-toxic plant with a snake plant-like appearance. It’s even occasionally referred to as a “rattlesnake plant.” It still has that lovely winding aspect, but it’s less thick and more billowy than sturdy and straight.
Where should a prayer plant be placed?
Your prayer plant should be hung or placed close to a window so it may get some filtered light. Never place your plant in direct sunlight as this may cause the leaves to burn, develop spots or blotches, or lose color intensity. In general, prayer plants can tolerate locations with less light.
Why doesn’t my prayer plant pray?
Maranta leuconeura’s leaves open and close in response to variations in the amount of light in its surroundings. In ideal circumstances, healthy prayer plants would typically sway their stems and leaves throughout the day. They don’t need to move, though, in order to be doing well.
Nevertheless, any time the behavior and appearance of your plant alter, it is a good sign that you need to investigate what happened. When your Maranta leuconeura stops moving due to a condition, this is typically not the only sign. If nothing else, Marantas are quite talkative since they express their annoyance when something is wrong immediately away.
The most frequent causes of your Prayer Plant ceasing to move and pray are excessive light or insufficient light, the potting soil becoming too dry, or a reaction to shock. Additionally, it can be a mix of a few of these. Fortunately, it should be easy to figure out what stopped your plant from moving. Once the problem has been located, you can take the appropriate action to restore your Prayer Plant’s regular, healthy motion.
What makes it a “prayer plant”?
A good houseplant is the prayer plant because it’s simple to cultivate, has interesting foliage, and can withstand indoor conditions. A low, spreading plant known as a “prayer plant” that may grow horizontally down a tabletop or other surface and is frequently planted in hanging baskets. Because it grows slowly, you don’t have to worry about the prayer plant spreading beyond its designated area.
The leaves of this tough indoor plant frequently fold together at night, resembling a pair of praying hands, giving rise to its common name. The foliage of most varieties of prayer plants is variegated, which heightens the plant’s visual appeal. Although prayer plant does produce blooms, they are not abundant or particularly attractive. For its leaves, this is a nice houseplant to grow.
Prayer Plant Growing Instructions
Grow the prayer plant in dim, moderate, or strong lighting. In high light, it’s ideal to use a sheer drape or other screen to shield the leaves from direct sunlight.
Just before the soil surface dries, water the prayer plant. This resilient houseplant like to remain largely damp (but not sopping wet all the time). If it dries out too much or too frequently, its leaves may begin to turn brown.
Only once or twice a year, ideally in the spring or summer, is sufficient to maintain the health of a prayer plant. If you’d like, you can fertilize it more frequently. Use any fertilizer designed for indoor plants and adhere to the instructions on the container.
Although prayer plant normally thrives in most houses, it prefers higher-than-average humidity levels. Increasing the humidity around your prayer plant will make it happier if the air in your home is very dry in the winter.
Include these types with your prayer plant:
The combination of banana and the prayer plant results in a stunningly striking, tropical appearance.
Forest Drum Use the prayer plant’s stunning contrast to the intriguing corrugated foliage of the jungle drum.
Purple Excellence The prayer plant’s variegated patterns look magnificent next to the deep purple of Purple Perfection.