Having cats means ensuring you have safe plants since these pets graze on greeneries like grass and other plants. Are areca palms one of the cat-safe plants or not?
Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens), otherwise known as the butterfly, golden cane, golden feather, or yellow palms, are a flowering plant species in the family Arecaceae, native to Madagascar. They are easy to grow and maintain, making them one of the best choices for people who need a tall indoor tree plant.
For people with pets, it should gladden your hearts because areca or butterfly palms are safe for cats as well as other pets like dogs and horses. Why not create that perfect tropical themed home with this plant without worrying that your cat may nibble their leaves. They will be ideal tabletop or floor plants.
We understand they can grow very tall, and fully grown areca palms are very expensive. However, you can make a saving by buying a smaller one. Don’t worry about them growing too tall too soon as they only add 6-10 inches in a year. Therefore, it will take a long time for them to grow to their full height.
While they are not difficult to grow, Dypsis lutescens can’t thrive well under neglect. You need to ensure you water them during summer and spring, keeping the soil lightly moist, while in winter and fall, you can let the soil dry a little bit.
For colorful healthy foliage, consider a pet-friendly micronutrient fertilizer and apply it during summer. A perfect choice will be Indoor Plant Food All-purpose House Plant Fertilizer as it is pet friendly. However, there are many other great brands too. Besides fertilizing them, you will have to re-pot them after every two to three years.
Areca palms join many other palms like parlor, majesty, ponytail, bamboo, kentia, dwarf palms, and Livistona rotundifolia, which are safe for cats. However, note that Sago palms (not true palms and belong to the family Cycadaceae) are toxic to kitties.
If your cat ingests sago palms, they will cause increased urination and thirst, circling, blood-stained feces, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis. In extreme cases, they may cause death.