Spring time has me cleaning, rearranging, and thinking of planting air purifying house plants. But are they safe?

NASA among others have done extensive research on common houseplants which can remove toxins which are unfortunately common in many US homes. Let’s keep disease causing cooties to a minimum! Plants are our friends!

However when Cat Faeries reviewed the lists of air cleaning plants which are considered to be the most effective we were disappointed to see that many of the hard workers are deadly toxic to cats.

NASA came up with their top 10 list of the best air cleaning plants. But nearly all of them are toxic to cats. But don’t despair, we’ll tell you what’s safe. Also just about any safe houseplant will help keep your air fresher and safer.

After Cat Faeries spent a lot time checking for safety there are only a few which we consider to be safe and which you can install in abundance throughout your home:

Indoor palms
Spider Plant
Boston Ferns

With that tiny list, kitty can chew on them while they rid of your home of evil toxins like Benzene and formaldehyde.

We learned that “air plant” Tillandsia species are epiphytes (also called aerophytes or air plants). They normally grow without soil while attached to other plants. Epiphytes are not parasitic, depending on the host only for support.

We like them because they are so crazy looking! And the containers you can put them in are really fun, you can get very creative.

Air plants are very good in bedrooms as they absorb carbon monoxide. Most of the plants are safe for cats. Also you’ll be planting them in very cool containers which can be attached to a wall, like a picture. You cat most likely can’t access them. Even if they do, we are told the plant itself might not survive, but kitty will! http://plants.web-indexes.com/airplants/airplant-basics.html

Many shops which carry Epiphytes (air plants) also carry succulents – note that many are toxic, so stick with Tillandsia.

The air cleaning plants that NASA likes, but which aren’t safe for cats, would be suitable in your work place (if it’s not in your home and where cats and dogs aren’t allowed).

If you want to read the NASA study with their list of the best air cleaning plants:
http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/best-air-filtering-houseplants-according-to-nasa

Here’s a list of plants to cats, including outdoor plants.
http://user.xmission.com/~emailbox/plants.htm

Worried that your cat has been poisoned with any substance? Call the ASPCA hotline 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the US – but note, there is a fee: 888-426-4435.

This is a list of safe houseplants – many are not on the top 10 list of air cleaning plants but any plant will help keep air cleaner.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/nontoxic-house-plantskeeping-y-137830

But be aware that most of the plants are not safe for cats. A few are not safe for dogs, and a few are not safe for children. We have given you the short list if you don’t want to read up on your own.

For a home as free of toxins as possible put a plant or two in the kitchen, near the fire place, the bathroom, and in all bedrooms. And while you are at it, ditch the carpet which is a nasty brew of countless toxins – consider that your cat is just a few inches taller than carpeting and is breathing it in at a faster rate than you are. Besides, what’s lovelier than hardwood flooring, with perhaps a handmade cotton scatter rug?