What House Plants Are Safe For Cats?

If you’ve been a cat lover for any amount of time, chances are good that you already know that there are hundreds – HUNDREDS – of poisonous house and garden plants and flowers that can be dangerous for your cat.  Some will make them behave strangely, some will make them sick, and some could actually be lethal. We know how scary it is to wonder if the plants you have are poisonous to cats.

We know how important a safe and healthy home is for your cat, so we’d like to share a slightly shorter list featuring 25 safe-as-can-be plants and flowers that you and your cat can feel good about. Take a few minutes, take a good look, and then take the list with you to the lawn and garden store the next time you’re in the market for some new greenery. 

25 House Plants That Are Safe For Cats

1. Spider Plant 

Spider plants are easy to grow indoors, super resilient and perfect for cat-friendly homes. They prefer indirect bright light and do best when the temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees F.

2. Bird’s Nest Fern

This cat-safe fern is known for its beautiful and large, spoon-shaped leaves. While native to rainforests, it can also be grown indoors. It does well in a humid location with partial light.

3. Parlor Palm

Non-toxic Parlor Palms are naturally slow growing, eventually reaching 3-4 feet after several years. Choose a location where they’ll only get a few hours of indirect sunlight a day and make sure to keep their soil moist.

4. Rattlesnake Plant

The Rattlesnake Plant is a great, low-maintenance, cat-friendly indoor plant option. It doesn’t need much light or water and its beautiful and unique coloring really makes it pop.

5. Calathea Orbifolia

This beautiful cat-safe plant requires partial shade, so it’s perfect for placement on an interior wall or shelf. It does well in a humid environment, so give it a good misting to keep it looking and feeling its best. 

6. Mosaic plant

Also referred to as a jewel plant or nerve plant, the mosaic plant is a great feline-friendly option that does well in a pot. The plant is known for its dark green, veined leaves and is somewhat temperamental. It would be a great fit for a cat owner with a bit more experience with plants.

7. Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm is a great choice for beginners. Their beautiful draping leaves make quite the impact, but they need little watering and only need to be fertilized two to three times a year.

8. Marigold

If you’re looking for a flowering plant to grace you and your cat’s home, marigolds are a great, easy-to-care-for option. Keep them in full sun to extend their blooming season.

9. (Some) Succulents

While not all succulents are pet-friendly, several, such as Haworthia and Echeveria, would make a great addition to your houseplant collection. Just make sure they get plenty of sunlight and a light watering every couple weeks and they’ll do great.

10. African Violet

African Violets are a great low-maintenance and colorful option for you and your furry friend. They bloom year-round and will thrive with regular watering. Just make sure you don’t choose a drafty spot for them until they’re more mature and well established.

11. Bird’s Nest Fern

This cat-safe plant does great in humid, low-light environments, so bathrooms make an ideal location. Just remember to fertilize in the spring and summer and keep the soil moist.

12. Gloxinia

If you’re looking for a little more color, Gloxinia is a great cat-approved choice. Sure to brighten any space, this flowering plant blooms in shades of red, pink, purple and blue and provides a naturally fresh aroma.  A location with indirect sunlight and a diet of liquid plant food will keep this beauty thriving all year long.

13. Cast Iron Plant

This hardy plant features lush green foliage and can survive in extreme conditions, making it a great choice for busy households. It’s slow growing but will reach 2-3 feet with occasional watering and some indirect sunlight.

14. Polka Dot Plant

This little plant makes a big impact with its striking spotted leaves. It’s cat safe and, when potted indoors, will grow to about 10 inches with bright sunlight and regular watering.

15. Peperomia

With so many Peperomia varieties available, you’re sure to find one you love. This hardy succulent prefers to be kept out of direct sunlight and doesn’t need much watering to thrive. Just water when the top inch or two of the soil is dry to the touch and you’ll be good to go.

16. Orchid

Orchids are a stunning and elegant option for a pet-friendly home. With proper care, they can bloom for up to 3 months each year. Just water once a week during the winter and twice a week when it gets warm and choose a spot with partial light.

17. Staghorn Fern

This versatile fern is native to Australia and can be potted, hung in a basket or mounted on a wall. It does require bright or indirect light so keep it out of any interior rooms and water every one to three weeks to keep this cat approved plant strong and healthy.

18. Bromeliad

Bromeliads are a bright and cheerful option that will bring a tropical feel to any home. With proper airflow and regular misting (as well as a thorough soaking every month or two), each blooming cycle will last a few months.

19. Baby Tears

Cats love the draping foliage of this cheerful non-toxic plant. It does well in pots or hanging baskets and is a great plant for beginners. Just keep it in indirect sun and be sure to keep the soil moist for optimal health.

20. Friendship Plant

The friendship plant is a popular choice for pet-friendly homes. It has intricate leaves and does well in low light as long as it gets a few hours of sunlight each day. It will also occasionally bloom with delicate pink flowers in the summer.

21. Herbs

Kitchen herbs including basil, rosemary, and thyme are a great choice to grow on a kitchen windowsill. They thrive in direct sunlight and are totally safe for your cat to ingest. Water regularly and these hardy plants will be ready to start harvesting within 2-3 months.

22. Prayer Plant

This striking plant is another favorite of cat-friendly households. Native to Brazil, the prayer plant features unique leaf markings and prefers bright indirect sunlight. Fertilize once a month in the spring and summer to keep this beautiful cat-safe plant thriving.

23. Venus Flytrap

This carnivorous plant is both pet-friendly and super cool. Just make sure it gets at least four hours of sunlight a day, plenty of water and a bug or two a month and you’ll be good to go.

24. Boston Fern 

Boston Ferns are a great low-maintenance house plant. They’re safe for cats and do great in a cool, damp spot with indirect light. Just make sure to keep the soil nice and moist and it will do great!

25. Date Palm 

The Date Palm, also known as a Robellini palm, is a great house plant for homes with pets. This beautiful frond-bearing plant makes for an excellent focal point and is resilient enough to thrive in many indoor environments. Choose a spot where your date palm will get plenty of bright, indirect sunlight and be careful not to overwater.