Last Updated on March 29, 2022 by Guillermina
You might find yourself wondering “are all air plants nontoxic”. Air plants can add life to your home. They’re colorful, fragrant, and lovely to look at. Fortunately, they’re not toxic to pets at all. However, many homeowners prefer to hang them in higher areas not because they’re poisonous but because they pose a potential choking hazard for cats and dogs.
A popular air plant called Tillandsia is non-toxic to dogs and cats. So, if your cat likes to nibble, you must secure your air plant somewhere far from their reach. Today on the blog, we will tackle important information about air plants and how to keep your pets safe in the home.
Smart Techniques To Keep Your Plants Away From Pets
If you want to continue planting air plants without making them look too attractive for pets, read the following tips.
Here are a few hints to keep air plants far away from your pets:
- Keep your plants in a terrarium. Putting your air plants in a globe terrarium with a more modest opening can make it harder for pets to get to them. Terrariums are truly beautiful and can be an extraordinarily fashionable way to layout your air plants.
- Keep them on a rack that is far away from your naughty cats and dogs.
- Consider hanging your terrarium on your balcony or somewhere that your cat doesn’t come more often.
- A living casing made with chicken wire and an old casing, or mounting plants on a piece of driftwood hung on a low kitchen ceiling or wall can also look very dainty.
5 Most Popular Air Plants You Should Invest On
Sky Plant
This air plant is very common among cultivars because they’re very difficult to kill. Their resistance to hard weather conditions is truly admirable. Sky plants feature silvery-green leaves that turn red and pink as they mature. The color change happens before it produces purple blooms.
Druid
The renewed popularity of air plants has cultivars focusing on hardy varieties, most especially those with colorful leaves. Druid can turn from peachy-pink one to white. It’s small but very attractive nonetheless. Most homeowners use it as a decoration in their hanging garden. But they’re mostly placed in open terrariums because they can grow without sand.
Fire
This little but boastful ‘Fuego’ is a favorite among gardeners. The primary aim is to help it continue to become flushed long after sprouting. The leaves hold their brilliant shading for a long time. They’re little plants, growing only up to 1 inch high. However, they do grow up quickly. The key is to combine the air plants altogether and let them bloom. The result is like an explosion of beautiful fire plants condensed into one. Fuego is our personal favorite for a centerpiece.
Cacciola
Another popular air plant is the Cacticola, which is difficult to find because they don’t produce many offsets. Compared with other plants, it is bigger and is characterized by silvery-green leaves. The best thing about it is that it bears flowers at about 8-9 inches above the leaves when it finally matures. But as we’ve said, this plant is rare so you may find it difficult to find them.
Air Plant Care Tips For Beginners
Caring for air plants for the first time? In truth, you’d be a lucky gardener if you got air plants as your first plant because they’re not too difficult to care for. Read on to learn expert tips on how to grow them successfully.
- At least once a week, dunk air plants in water and allow them to stay there for a long time.
- Use rainwater if possible. Purified water is usually high in salts, which is bad for air plants. On the other hand, faucet water has minerals that can obstruct the trichomes on air plant leaves and hold them back from engrossing supplements.
- Dry the air plants out. This is vital. After they douse, shake off excess water and put them in a splendid spot for several hours to dry.
- Fertilize them once every month by adding water-solvent compost for epiphytes, bromeliads, or air plants to the water before soaking them in. These specific fertilizers contain nitrogen in a structure they can assimilate.
- Air plants prefer growing in temperatures between the 50s and 90s.
- They flourish with temperature vacillations. Give them a 10-degree temperature decrease that mirrors cool evenings in their local wilderness and they’ll prosper.
- They can’t endure cold weather days. They’re tropical but if the snow is harsh, you need to take them inside.
- Ensure they get somewhere around 4 to 6 hours of brilliant, sifted light each day. They’ll cherish a room with lots of windows for ventilation and indirect sunlight.
FAQs
What Plants Are Good for Purifying Air and Non-Toxic To Cats?
Their various plants purify the air but are also safe for your cats. However, the most popular non-toxic plant with air purification capabilities is the pam tree. You can put it in a corner of your home and make sure it gets indirect light. Your pet may nibble orbit it but will never suffer from allergic reactions. Another great addition is the Red Palm, which is safe for pets.
How Do You Keep Plants from Getting Toxic To Cats?
The only way to keep plants from getting toxic to cats is to prevent the latter from running into them. Although having plants inside the home is stress-relieving, you must also think of your pets. If you’re a pet owner, it’s great to have a special spot for your plants in the home. You could have an indoor garden or designated plant showroom. Just make sure, it’s well ventilated and the temperature is great to ensure successful plant growth.
Are Air Plants Safe For Cats?
The quick answer is yes. Unlike succulents, air plants are safe for cats but because of their naturally thick leaves, you wouldn’t want your cat to nibble them. This is why you need to hang your air plant somewhere far. Hanging them at about 5-8 feet from the ground is enough to prevent your cats from reaching them.
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