40 non-toxic balcony plants for cats

Non-toxic balcony plants are ideal if your velvet paw can enjoy the fresh air on the balcony. This article introduces you to 40 balcony plants for cats that are completely harmless.

Non-toxic balcony plants for cats

With this species-appropriate and non-toxic greening, not only will you enjoy your stay on the balcony, but also your velvet paw.

from A to F

Blue Lizzie (Exacum affine)

• 15 to 30 cm high
• bushy growth, upright, annual
• intense blue cup-shaped flowers
• flowers from May to mid-September
• sunny to partially shaded location necessary
• pleasantly fragrant
• sensitive to frost

Dahlias (Dahlia)

• 30 to 200 cm high (depending on the variety)
• Depending on the type, support is necessary
• round daisy-like flowers sit on long stems
• Flowers between 10 and 30 cm in diameter
• bloom from early July to November
• available in numerous colors and types
• sunny location, protected
• Tubers not hardy (winter quarters necessary)

Fargesia bamboo (Fargesia)

• 150 to 600 cm high, usually up to 250 cm in a bucket
• Culms up to 3 cm thick
• lush green leaves, soft, can easily be eaten by cats
• prefers sunny to partially shaded locations, humid
• completely hardy
• does not form runners, therefore ideal for planting in pots
• Can be used as a privacy screen
• Contains seeds, sprouts and flowers Hydrocyanic acid (mostly uninteresting for cats)

Fuchsias (Fuchsia)

• Height of growth strongly dependent on species
• grows as a shrub or climbing plant
• Flowers available in numerous colors and shapes
• blooms intensely from mid-March to October (depending on species)
• Location ranges from shady to sunny
• for Cats not poisonous
• with edible fruits

from G to I.

Garden slipper flower (Calceolaria integrifolia)

• up to 120 cm high
• annual
• loose growth, hairy foliage
• golden yellow flowers, resemble slippers
• flowers from mid-April to September
• stimulates the cat's play instinct due to the color differences

Money tree (Crassula ovata)

• between 50 and 100 cm high
• extremely uninteresting for cats
• easy-care succulent, evergreen
• intense green, fleshy leaves
• very rarely blooms in Central Europe
• Height depends on vitality
• prefers sunny to partially shaded locations
• sensitive to cold

Bluebells (campanula)

• available in numerous types and colors
• up to 100 cm high
• ideal for planting balcony boxes
• The location should be light to partially shaded
• Avoid the midday sun at all costs

Cockscomb (Celosia argentea)

• 30 to 60 cm high
• flowers from mid-July to mid-September in white to red
• large flowers encourage play
• can be nibbled on without any problems
• sunny location recommended
• not hardy, annual

Horned violet (Viola cornuta)

• Growth height between 15 and 20 cm, several years
• ideal for window boxes and hanging baskets
• Flowering time from March to October, mostly flowering twice
• The color and pattern of the flower strongly depend on the variety
• Sunny to partially shaded location
• can be eaten without hesitation
• further flowering could fail as a result

from J to K

Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans)

• Scent stimulates velvet paws
• Height from 30 to 40 cm
• 5 to 10 cm large, light blue panicle flowers
• Flowering time from May to mid-June
• prefers sunny to partially shaded west or east balconies
• avoid direct midday sun

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)

• Climbing plant for south-facing balconies
• wonderfully fragrant
• Height between 40 cm and 10 m
• depending on the available climbing frame or trellis
• flowers pure white from mid-May to late August
• bright to sunny location, protect from intense midday sun
• not hardy

Camellias (Camelliae)

• 150 to 600 cm high flowering shrub
• suitable for balcony planting
• often uninteresting for cats
• flowers from mid-September to early May (strongly dependent on variety)
• extremely decorative flowers in white to pink (depending on the variety)
• not completely hardy
• Winter protection or quarters necessary

Cat's gamander (Teucrium marum)

• is one of the most popular scented plants for velvet paws
• beguiling scent
• Can be used dried like catnip
• up to 30 cm high, compact growth
• ideal for balcony boxes and Mediterranean pot gardens
• Flowering period from July to early August
• delicate pink flowers
• Full sun location preferred

Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)

• reaches heights of up to 300 cm in the bucket
• upright growth, often forms several trunks in pots
• large, deep green fronds, evergreen
• cats like to eat them
• bright to partially shaded location, avoid direct sun
• ideal for bright east, west and north balconies
• not hardy

Basket Marante (Calathea)

• 15 to 50 cm high
• intensely green leaves, up to 15 cm long, with a wavy edge
• white to yellowish variegated or striped
• are often nibbled on
• partially shaded location, protected from direct sun
• not hardy, winter quarters at least 18 ° C

Cornflower (Cyanus segetum)

• 30 to 80 cm high flowering perennial
• slender growth, annual
• lush green leaves with gray hairs
• flowers from mid-May to October
• decorative daisy flowers, colored blue
• Cats use flowers as toys
• Full sun and warm locations are ideal, tolerates partial shade
• little sun reduces the number of flowers
• popular type for pot gardens

from L to R

Love curls (Juncus effusus 'Spiralis')

• Height from 15 to 60 cm
• loose growth, up to 50 cm wide
• evergreen stalks are twisted
• reminiscent of hair or corkscrews
• The location should be full sun
• inconspicuous panicle bloom in July
• Straws serve as ideal cat toys
• very robust, stalks are rarely damaged by cats
• absolutely hardy

Girl eyes (coreopsis)

• decorative flower for the balcony
• available in numerous varieties
• Height from 10 to 200 cm (depending on the variety)
• dense growth, ideal for window boxes
• floriferous, basket flowers from mid-June to early October
• most common flower color yellow
• numerous varieties in colors from white to red
• extremely easy to care for

Marguerite (Argyranthemum frutescens)

• popular balcony plants for cats
• Flowers and leaves are eaten with pleasure
• Growth height of up to 100 cm
• well branched, spherical growth, bushy
• blooms from May to mid-October
• Basket flowers in white, yellow or pink have a strong smell
• ideal for full sun south and south-west balconies
• tolerates prolonged drought
• easily trained as a high trunk

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

• Height from 20 to 60 cm
• upright growth, bushy, annual
• Flowering time from the beginning of June to October
• creamy yellow to intense carmine red daisy flowers
• Flowers can be used as a tea infusion
• Fully sun to partially shaded spot preferred
• at least 4 hours of sun a day
• Support rods protect against wind damage

Roses (pink)

• all types of roses are non-toxic to cats
• small or climbing species well suited for the balcony
• available in numerous colors and flower sizes
• blooming from spring to autumn
• 2. Flowering possible in many species
• Wild species develop rose hips
• Location sunny to shady, suitable for all balcony orientations
• Midday sun not suitable for every species
• airy places are preferred
• Caution: Spikes can cause injury

Rose hawk (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

• Height from 100 to 200 cm
• slow growth, upright, deciduous
• medium green foliage, glossy, interesting for cats
• blooms from June to July
• Flowers 10 to 15 cm in diameter
• Colors depending on type
• Position in full sun, protect from midday sun when it is very hot
• protected from precipitation and wind
• not hardy

from S to V

Shame flowers (Aeschynanthus)

• Growth height 10 to 60 cm
• shrubby growth, overhanging, dense
• Flowering June to mid-September
• 1 to 10 flowers per stem end
• red, yellow or orange-red flowers
• Flowers interesting for cats
• bright location, no direct sunlight
• suitable for window boxes and hanging baskets

Slate plate (Achimenes longiflora)

• 20 to 60 cm high
• hanging or upright growth, dense
• Blooming from July to mid-September
• zygomorphic flowers in white, yellow, red, purple, blue
• hang crooked
• stand out clearly from the leaf green
• bright location, warm, protected
• avoid direct sun
• not hardy, bulbs overwinter
• ideal for balcony boxes, hanging baskets, pot gardens

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

• Height from 25 to 300 cm
• choose small variants for balconies (e.g. B. Sunspot, Yellow Knirps)
• Flowers 10 to 20 cm in diameter
• yellow flowers from mid-June to late October
• Location sunny to bright, warm, protected from strong winds
• at least 5 to 6 hours of sun a day
• Foliage is often nibbled on
• annual, perennial varieties

Shrub Veronica (Hebe andersonii)

• Ornamental shrub with a height of 40 to 60 cm
• upright growth, dense, evergreen
• fresh green leaves, light variegated
• blooms from July to the end of October
• white, red, blue or purple rose flowers, large
• Flowers encourage play
• Leaves are often eaten
• Location sunny to partially shaded, protect from midday sun, warm
• not hardy

Marigolds (marigolds)

• up to 70 cm high
• upright growth, bushy, perennial
• abundant flowering from June to mid-October
• Flowers 10 to 13 cm in diameter
• flowers in yellow to dark red
• extremely robust, rain and wind resistant
• sunny to partially shaded location
• not hardy, winter protection necessary
• excellent plants for balcony boxes or pots

from W to Z

Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

• about 25 cm high
• ideal for hanging baskets
• Location sunny to shady
• flowers pure white from April to mid-June
• dark green foliage encourages nibbling
• Cats like the scent of flowers and fruits
• Fruits are edible for cats in small quantities
• Harvest time from mid-June to the end of August

Wollziest (Stachys byzantina)

• Height from 20 to 60 cm
• silver-gray leaves, soft, hairy
• no risk of injury to cats while nibbling
• flowers red to purple from mid-July to late August
• completely hardy
• excellent for Mediterranean balcony concepts

Common fir (Araucaria heterophylla)

• in the pot up to 200 cm high
• slender stature
• deep green needles quite soft, no risk of injury to cats
• prefers bright places without direct sun, warm
• cool winter quarters in winter, not hardy

Note: In the case of non-toxic balcony plants such as roses, be sure to remove the thorns or spines so that the animals do not injure themselves on them. Also watch out for sharp-edged leaves that could cut the mouth.

Non-toxic balcony herbs for cats

Many harmless balcony herbs are not only beautiful to look at, they also taste particularly good for you and your cat. We introduce you to 10 balcony herbs.

from A to J

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

• popular balcony plants for cats
• has a stimulating effect on velvet paws
• can easily be eaten
• usable as a medicinal herb
• must be sunny to shady
• Beware: several cats can fight for valerian

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

• Mediterranean culinary herb
• promotes digestion in cats
• Flowers and leaves easily consumed
• regular harvest replaces pruning measures
• a sunny place is desired

Dill (anethum graveolens)

• Fronds and flowers encourage exploration
• The location should be sunny to partially shaded, protected
• usable as culinary herb
• Harvest possible from spring to the end of summer

Great nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

• large flowers
• yellow to red colored, spotted
• Flowers edible by humans and cats
• Harvest 4 to 6 weeks after sowing
• annual
• Protected and sunny location, ideal balcony box plant

from K to L

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

• perfect balcony plants for cats
• stimulate cats euphoria due to the ingredients
• relaxes nervous house cats
• Flowering period from June to mid-September
• Leaves can be dried, shredded, and given to the cat

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

• forms intensely yellow rhizomes
• Rhizomes are preferably used as a spice and superfood
• can be used in cats as a preventive measure against cancer
• not hardy
• Rhizomes need winter protection

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• popular, non-toxic balcony plants with an intense aroma
• decorative purple flowers
• Scent relaxes cats and relieves fears
• Smell repels ticks and fleas
• Flowering time from the beginning of June to the end of August

from M to Z

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

• popular culinary herb
• pleasant smell
• Harvest time shortly before flowering from mid-June to mid-August
• dried leaves have a stimulating effect on some cats

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

• Velvet paws don't like the intense scent
• can be used as a barrier on the balcony
• Medicinal and aromatic plant
• Harvest time from May to the end of July before flowering

Thyme (thymus)

• popular scented herb
• available in numerous colors and scent intensities
• has a stimulating effect on many cats
• effects similar to catnip
• Harvest time possible over the entire vegetation period
• especially intense aroma shortly before flowering, usually from June or July

Note: In addition to catnip, other types of mint, such as spearmint or peppermint, are non-toxic balcony plants for your house tiger. An exception to this is the Polei Mint (Mentha pulegium) because of the pulegons it contains poisonous for people and pets.

frequently asked Questions