Question
Hello, Darlene. I just read your informative list of houseplants (3/05) that are safe for cats and have an ancillary question: What houseplants are safe FROM cats? I'm ready to add them (plants) to my decor but have a pair of kittens that assume everything is out for their playing pleasure.

What they have destroyed to date:
- blooming Impatiens brought inside due to cold weather
- anthurium
- various late season shade bloomers left outside.

They tasted but didn't care for orchid leaf.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Cheryl

Answer
Cheryl,

1.Try plants in hanging baskets that the cats can't get to.
2. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on the soil in all your plants and the cats will stay away.
3. If you are home squirt the cats with a spray bottle or squirt gun when they go near a plant and they will learn to stay away.
4. Grow a couple of plants just for the cats where they can get to them, try catnip and wheat grass. They will generally prefer those over your other plants.

Good luck.
Darlene