Are spider plants ok?

hannahgirl

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I would like to use spider plants or ferns to lower the levels of possible contaminants in my apartment...such as formaldehyde. I read these plants can help take some of these toxins out of the air. Are cats ok around these plants?

Of course I need to make sure of that, before bringing any into the home. Thank you so much!
 

GoldyCat

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I would say from experience that they are not dangerous to cats. It's the other way around. I had half a dozen really nice spider plants until I got cats. The kitties thought the spiders hanging down made wonderful toys. Needless to say, I no longer have any indoor plants. Somehow empty pots just don't create the same ambience.
 

strange_wings

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Spider plants are fine. Fern, however, is a vague term for several types of plants. You have to look up each plant specifically by their proper names as there are a few under the vague common name that are fine.
 

Willowy

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I have a lot of hanging plants, LOL. Yes, spider plants are safe for kitties, though they might throw up if they eat too much of it.

One thing I can't find is how much English Ivy would be toxic. It's hanging so they can't get to it but occasionally a leaf falls off. So far they don't seem inclined to eat the fallen leaves but I wonder if the one leaf would be toxic or if it takes more than that.
 

c1atsite

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Originally Posted by GoldyCat

I would say from experience that they are not dangerous to cats. It's the other way around. I had half a dozen really nice spider plants until I got cats.
I agree. My cats didn't treat the spiderplants as toys though. They treated them as snacks.
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Willowy

One thing I can't find is how much English Ivy would be toxic. It's hanging so they can't get to it but occasionally a leaf falls off. So far they don't seem inclined to eat the fallen leaves but I wonder if the one leaf would be toxic or if it takes more than that.
Moderately toxic, iirc, through glycosides. A dried dead leaf is probably not much to worry about, but fresh leaves would be bad. Try to keep it trimmed and dead leaves picked off.

Here's a safe plant list.
 
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