Who would not love the beauty and versatility of succulents? However, if you have pets and especially cats, you need to think twice whether or not to grow this or that plant. You need to do so because not all succulents are safe for cats. Fortunately though, many succulents are perfectly safe for your cats. And you should focus on them in your growing.
Let me share with you now a list of 10 popular succulents that are 100% safe for cats. Of course, many other plants are safe as well, but it would take ages to come up with the complete list. Hence I focused on most popular succulent varieties. Let’s go!
Echeveria
Echeveria is safe for any pet in the house. So you don’t have to worry about your cats get poisoned. Apart from that, this succulent is also one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. It produces flowers with vibrant colors. The best part is that this succulent can thrive not only indoor but also in an outdoor environment as long as it gets appropriate care.
Split Rock
Split Rock is also called Pleiospilos nelii and mimicry plant. This succulent has an egg-shaped structure and two gray-green leaves. The reason it is called the Split Rock is that the new leaves grow to the split at the right angles. It looks like a rock partially breaks in half. It is one of the succulents that grow well indoors.
This succulent loves the warmer temperature, especially when under sunlight. It needs a minimal amount of water during fall and winter. If you have this indoor, find ways to give it the necessary amount of sunlight.\
Ice Plant
Ice Plant is also known as Delosperma cooperi. It is not only safe for cats but also a great indoor plant. It produces beautiful flowers with vibrant colors. It is one of the fastest-growing succulents. With this plant, you can have a dream indoor garden in just a few weeks or months.
Ice Plants bloom several times in a year. The best part of caring for this plant is that it does not require too much labor on your part. It can survive with minimal watering and care. The flower blooms continuously from summer to fall. It loves plenty of sunlight. It can survive with almost no water or drought season.
Baby Toes
Baby Toes are also known as Fenestraria aurantiaca is mother cat-friendly succulent. This succulent loves warmer indoor and outdoor. But in most cases, Baby Toes thrive more healthily in the outside than inside the environment.
Baby Toes can perfectly grow in pots or mixed succulent bowl. It only needs a minimal amount of water and care. It loves sandy soil too for maximum growth. This plant can survive under direct sunlight. It is also frost-tolerant, but it needs protection from an extremely cold environment.
Haworthia
Haworthias are safe for cats. Small and cute, many people love these succulents. The plants produce rosette leaves. They also produce small white flowers. Although they belong to one species, the leaves have several varieties.
The colors of Haworthia may change according to climate and temperature. For instance, if these plants are deprived of water, they become either red or purple. Keep it on your mind if you observe any changes in your plants.
Dinteranthus
Another succulent type that is safe for cats is the Dinteranthus. This is similar to the mimicry plant. The leaves look like split pebbles. This succulent just need minimal attention and care. The beauty it produces depends on how you take care of it. For instance, if you give just enough nutrients and water, this succulent will produce vibrant yellow flowers.
As flowers wither, a new pair of leaves will sprout and the old pair of leaves will serve as the source of moisture and water. At this period, watering should refrain. Only give water if the old leaves are totally dried.
Schlumbergera
Schlumbergera is a type of cactus that bears different colorful flowers depending on the variety. Although it can tolerate more water, a soak and dry method is still the best watering strategy. The amount of sunlight should be moderate only. This is a type of plant that grows well in shaded areas and does not like direct sunlight.
It goes well with cats or any other pets. No need to worry about any damage as long as you have your pets running around the plants, enjoying the grass of your garden.
Espostoa lanata
Espostoa lanata is also known as an old man cactus. This plant is one of the weirdest cacti you’ve ever seen. It has a dense hair covered by an astonishing woolly coat. The long white hair covers the whole plant making it odd looking compared to other types of plants you normally see.
This plant needs a little effort to clean its hair. And it grows taller than any other types of cacti. But the best thing is that this plant is pet-friendly. It safe for your cats or other domestic animals.
Sedum album
Most of the succulents mentioned so far only require minimal care. But the Sedum album is a little different and demands some care. This means extra effort on your part to maintain the plant. The reason being is that this plant needs bright light but not under sunlight.
Aside from good sunlight source, the Sedum album also needs high humidity and good airflow environment. This succulent usually blooms in the summer. It bears white flowers and green leaves.
Ghost Plant
Ghost Plant is also known as Graptopetalum paraguayense. It is a cold-hardy succulent that has a pale gray color. Its color separates it from the rest of the plant in the garden. When growing healthy, this plant cascades down to the ground from its container.
The color of this plant may change in accordance with the available sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight, it will turn into yellowish-pink and translucent color. However, when in the shaded area, the color of the leaves will turn into bluish-gray.
Hens and Chicks
Hens and Chicks are commonly known as the Sempervivum. These succulents are non-toxic making them safe for cats. These plants are frost resistant. They can survive in a cold environment either indoor or outdoor.
This type of succulent is extremely easy to propagate. As long as you give them enough amount of water and nutrient, they will produce as many pups as possible. You don’t have to worry about propagation.
Ponytail Palm Tree
This succulent is also known as the Beaucarnea Recurvata. It looks like a palm tree but it is not. It is actually a type of succulent plant which is a member of the Agave family. What makes this succulent different is its round trunk that stores water. And the hair-like leaves that grow from the top and covers the trunk forming a ponytail look.
This type of succulent is easy to grow. It does not require excellent care and watering. Although can thrive well under direct sunlight, a ponytail succulent can survive under shade. This is the reason why it is perfect for an indoor environment. The best part is that it is safe for cats and other pets.
Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
This is one of the most colorful succulents you can have in your garden. Usually, this plant shows a combination of yellow, green, and red colors. The dominant color in the leaves is yellow. The middle is colored with green while the edges are margined with red.
Aeoniums grow and multiply easily without effort. They bloom flowers usually during the spring season. Having this plant in your garden will absolutely make your surrounding exciting.
Final thoughts
Buying succulents, you have to consider the pets in your home, and whether the plants are safe for them. If your pets like to lick plants and other objects around them, it is pivotal to buy plants that safe not only for cats but also for dogs, etc.
Most people are fond of cultivating succulents nowadays. There’s nothing wrong with it. But if the same plant that makes you happy jeopardizes the health of your pet, then you need to think twice. In this post, I’ve mentioned several types of succulents that are 100% safe for cats. But the list could have been longer, because we know hundreds of succulent varieties, and I just cannot cover them all here…
Take time to figure out what variety of succulents are safe for your lovely cat. What’s more, consider the cultivation needs of every plant you want to grow indoors or outdoors. Once you carefully consider everything, you will end up with both your plants and animals happy. No doubt that’s the state of affairs you hope to achieve…