Terrariums and cats: which plants are safe, and where to put it

A terrarium and a cat get along on two conditions: choose non-toxic plants, and a closed jar placed where it cannot fall. Fittonia, calathea, peperomia, Pilea cadierei, hypoestes and Boston fern are listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA, the American association that keeps the reference database. Ficus, aloe, jade and asparagus fern should be kept away from it.

Terrarium plants at a glance

The data below comes from the ASPCA "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants" list. A non-toxic plant can still make a cat vomit if it eats a lot of it: "non-toxic" does not mean "edible".

For a plant that is not in this table, look up its Latin name in the ASPCA database before buying it.

Moss, the simplest choice

An all-moss terrarium avoids the question of leaves. Live mosses do not appear among the toxic plants on veterinary lists, and they hardly tempt cats that chew long leaves. Our Mousse & lumière kit contains only moss, in a bottle closed with an LED cork.

If you want colour, fittonia is the safest and brightest terrarium plant: its white, pink or red veins stand out under the glass.

Closed rather than open

With a cat, a closed terrarium has three advantages:

• it keeps the plants out of reach of tongue and claws;
• it holds in what could be swallowed by mistake: clay balls, activated charcoal, figurines, small pebbles;
• it does not become a scratching tray: an open terrarium of sand and succulents looks too much like a litter box.

Our comparison closed or open terrarium covers the other differences.

Where to put it

• On a heavy, stable piece of furniture, not on a narrow shelf the cat jumps across.
• Away from the edge, by at least a hand's width.
• Not on the windowsill: it is cats' favourite lookout, and direct sun overheats the glass.
• On a non-slip mat, or a wooden tray that widens the base.

A wide-based bottle, like our Little Joe bottle with LED cork, tips over less easily than a tall, narrow vase.

During maintenance

When you open the jar, do it out of the cat's sight. Pick up cut leaves, bits of moss and trimmings. Store charcoal and clay balls in a closed cupboard. Wash your hands before stroking it if you have handled a plant listed as toxic.

If your cat ate a plant

Note the name of the plant, or take a photo of it, and call your vet. Do not make it vomit yourself. Signs to watch for are drooling, vomiting, lethargy or difficulty swallowing.

In short

• Fittonia, calathea, peperomia, pilea, hypoestes and Boston fern: non-toxic according to the ASPCA.
• Ficus, aloe, jade and asparagus fern: avoid them with a cat.
• A closed jar, on stable furniture, away from the edge and the window.
• Nothing used for planting left within its reach.

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants" list (cats).