The plant: Snake plant However, it's toxic to cats, warns the ASCPA. Snake plants contain chemical compounds called saponins, which result in feline nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if consumed or chewed on. What to do: Like aloe, snake plant is milder in toxicity to cats.
Unfortunately, snake plants are actually toxic to cats as well as dogs. Snake plants contain a toxin known as saponin. Saponin is a defensive mechanism for the plant that allows it to protect itself against harmful microbes, fungi, and insects.
Snake plants (Sansevieria)
Because of its striking appearance and the fact that it's very easy to care for, snake plants are incredibly popular indoor plants. Unfortunately, they are also poisonous plants for dogs and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if consumed, says the ASPCA.
Most cats are fastidious creatures and are careful about what they eat. Poisoning in cats is therefore generally rare. It is the young inquisitive cat or kitten that is most at risk of eating harmful plants, particularly household ones. Boredom also has a part to play.
But you should still know the symptoms of snake plant poisoning in cats, just to be safe. “They contain the compound saponin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, drooling, swelling in the mouth and a decreased appetite,” Dr. Bonk said.
At night, on the other hand, these plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, a process called respiration. However, the Snake Plant is one of the lucky few that continues to produce oxygen at night, making it the ideal plant to place in your bedroom for better sleep.
Toxicity. Snake plant has low-severity toxicity for humans due to the presence of saponin chemicals, which can poison anyone who ingests its leaves. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. It does not cause any adverse reaction from physical contact.
Although the popular snake plant is only mildly toxic to pets, it does contain saponins—a natural chemical produced by the plant to protect it from insects, microbes, and fungi. This chemical can cause gastrointestinal upset in pets.
Snakes view cats as large predators, and the fast movements of snakes make them a tempting prey item for cats. Your snake will likely always need to be kept separate from your cat.
Even large, non-venomous snakes can be unhealthy for your cat to eat. Because cats have small stomachs, large snakes can easily upset their stomachs. When this happens, though, your cat will likely just have some tummy troubles while digesting the snake. No real harm is done.
Cleaning. Take each leaf between two soft tissue cloths and wipe off the top to reveal a healthy shine (also helps the plant soak in more light!).
Look for dark green leaves to make sure your sansevieria is healthy. Dark leaves on a snake plant indicate that it is healthy and well-nourished. Leaves that have a yellowish tinge on the outer edge of the leaves or leaves that are pale and floppy could indicate that the plant is dying.
Similar to other household succulents, snake plants help to filter indoor air. What's unique about this particular plant is that it's one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen at night. This quality makes it an ideal plant for bedroom decor, since it can help regulate healthy airflow.
Light: Snake plants can tolerate lower light conditions, but they do best near a window. Even a north facing window is fine. They'll grow faster with a little more light, and they tend to droop if they're deprived of light for too long.
Whatever you choose to call it, a snake plant is going to be one of the simplest (and most common) types of indoor plants for an office with no windows. They do well in indirect sunlight and can manage in low light situations.
Your Snake Plant only needs to be watered fortnightly, allowing its soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the winter months feel free to only water your snake plant once a month if the soil is still moist after 2 weeks.
So thank goodness for spider plant, an easy to care for, highly adaptable houseplant that's safe to keep around both dogs and cats. Unlike peace lilies and pothos, Chlorophytum comosum is one houseplant that can be safely nibbled by your kitties without requiring a trip to the emergency animal hospital.
Make Your Plants Unappealing
Cats have a strong distaste for anything citrus. Using either juice of a lemon, lime, or orange diluted with some water can be sprayed on the leaves of your plant to ward off any feline invasion. If you don't feel like creating your own mixture, Bodhi Dog makes a Bitter Lemon Spray.
Lemon balm – Cats don't like the citrusy aroma or the rough texture of the foliage on lemon balm. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) – Don't confuse the herb curry plant with real curry (Murraya koenigii). Geraniums – The aroma and the thick texture of the leaves on geraniums may keep cats away.
Felines enjoy attractive edible flowers such as zinnias, marigolds and Johnny-jump-ups, as well as catnip, cat thyme, oat grass, rosemary and bean sprouts. Although catnip has a reputation as a cat favorite, you might want to try some on your cat before you plant it, because not all cats like it.
Snake plants are desert plants that are accustomed to hot and humid conditions. That being stated, it is generally not recommended to mist the leaves of a snake plant. Misting the snake plant's leaves can cause them to become overwatered, leading to several other health issues.