Plants Safe for Cats: The Complete List

Plants Safe for Cats: The Complete List

You don't have to give up houseplants to have a cat. Many beautiful, popular plants are completely safe for cats — and some are even beneficial. This is a comprehensive reference list of cat-safe plants, organized by category.

Cat-Safe Houseplants

Hanging and Trailing Plants

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): One of the most popular houseplants and completely safe. Cats are often attracted to the dangling offshoots.
• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Safe and beautiful. Thrives in humidity.
• Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis): Safe trailing plant, easy to grow.
• Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum): Safe succulent with trailing stems.

Flowering Plants

• African Violet (Saintpaulia): Safe and easy to grow indoors.
• Orchid (Phalaenopsis): Safe for cats. One of the most elegant houseplants.
• Snapdragon: Safe for cats.
• Freesia: Safe for cats.
• Gerbera Daisy: Safe for cats.
• Roses: Non-toxic, though thorns can cause physical injury.

Foliage Plants

• Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): Safe and excellent air purifier.
• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii): Safe for cats.
• Calathea / Prayer Plant: Safe and beautiful patterned leaves.
• Peperomia (all varieties): Safe and easy to care for.
• Haworthia: Safe succulent, similar appearance to aloe.
• Echeveria: Safe succulent.
• Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera): Safe for cats.

Herbs

• Basil: Safe for cats.
• Thyme: Safe for cats.
• Rosemary: Safe for cats.
• Dill: Safe for cats.
• Cilantro: Safe for cats.

The Best Plant for Cats: Cat Grass

The single best plant to have in a cat household is cat grass — typically wheatgrass, oat grass, or barley grass. It's safe, cats love it, and it provides a legitimate outlet for the urge to chew on plants. The Wooden Cat Grass Planter with Anti-Digging Design is the most practical way to grow it indoors — the anti-digging design prevents your cat from making a mess, and the removable liner makes it easy to clean and replant.

Plants to Avoid Regardless of Toxicity

Even safe plants can cause mild stomach upset if eaten in large quantities. If your cat is obsessed with eating your houseplants, provide cat grass as a dedicated alternative and use deterrents on other plants.

Final Thoughts

A cat-safe home can still be a beautifully planted home. Focus on spider plants, orchids, calatheas, and cat grass — all safe, all beautiful, and all available at most garden centers.