9 indoor plants that are safe for cats
Carlina Teteris / Getty Images
Choosing houseplants when you have a cat requires careful consideration. Plant care needs vary, and importantly, some common houseplants can be toxic to felines. Selecting cat-safe plants is key to preventing accidental poisoning. This guide highlights several plant varieties that are generally safe for homes with cats.
-
Orchids: Elegant and Generally Cat-Safe
Antonio Zanghì / Getty Images
Orchids, available in many species and vibrant colors, are popular and generally safe houseplants for cat owners. These elegant flowering plants typically prefer indirect sunlight, moderate watering (allowing the potting medium to dry out between waterings), and a humid, warm environment. While individual orchid species vary in size, many are suitable for tabletops or shelves.
-
African Violets: Charming and Cat-Safe Blooms
User10095428_393 / Getty Images
African violets are classic, compact flowering houseplants, commonly found in garden centers. Known for their purple or pink blooms, they also come in other colors and feature varied leaf shapes. Gloxinia, another cat-safe plant, is sometimes mistaken for African violets. For optimal growth, African violets typically prefer bright, indirect sunlight and a warm, humid environment. They are generally affordable and fit well in small spaces.
-
Spider Plants: Adaptable, Non-Toxic, and Cat-Safe
Lynne Brotchie / Getty Images
Spider plants, recognized by their arching leaves and cascading plantlets (or ‘spiderettes’), have long been favored as houseplants. Suitable for hanging baskets or shelves, they are adaptable and relatively easy to care for, tolerating a range of light conditions (though preferring indirect light) and typical household temperatures. Spider plants are considered non-toxic, making them a safe choice for homes with cats that might be attracted to the dangling plantlets.
-
Boston Ferns: Lush, Non-Toxic Greenery for Cat Homes
Boston ferns are plants that are safe to have around cats. Getty Images/Geri Lavrov
Boston ferns are popular, readily available houseplants known for their lush, feathery fronds. These ferns are non-toxic to cats, providing peace of mind if a cat nibbles on a frond. Boston ferns thrive in humid conditions with bright, indirect light and can tolerate typical indoor temperature fluctuations. Regular repotting, often in spring, can help maintain their health and offers an opportunity to propagate the plant by division.
Continue to 5 of 9 below -
Polka Dot Plants: Colorful, Cat-Safe Foliage (Use with Care)
timsa / Getty Images
The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is distinguished by its brightly colored, spotted leaves, adding a unique visual element to indoor plant collections. This plant is considered non-toxic to cats, though ingestion of a large amount may lead to mild digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Polka dot plants require bright, indirect light to maintain their characteristic leaf patterns; insufficient light can cause the colors to fade or leaves to turn solid green.
-
Bromeliads: Tropical and Generally Cat-Safe
Daniela Duncan / Getty Images
Bromeliads, available in diverse colors and patterns, are striking tropical plants often kept indoors. They are generally considered non-toxic to cats, though consuming large quantities of foliage might cause mild gastrointestinal issues. Many bromeliad species share similar care requirements with orchids, such as a preference for bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. They are adaptable to a range of household temperatures, reflecting their rainforest origins.
-
Haworthias: Striking, Cat-Safe Succulents
Simon McGill / Getty Images
Haworthias are popular succulents appreciated for their diverse shapes, textures, and minimal care needs. Often called ‘zebra plants’ (a common name for some species like *Haworthiopsis attenuata*), these succulents typically lack sharp spines, unlike many cacti. They are a good, cat-safe option, particularly for small spaces, as many varieties remain compact. Haworthias thrive in bright, indirect light and require infrequent watering, especially during winter.
-
Gloxinias: Vibrant, Non-Toxic Flowers for Cat Owners
MariaBrzostowska / Getty Images
Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) is a colorful, cat-safe houseplant sometimes mistaken for African violets, though its bell-shaped flowers are distinct. It often features velvety leaves similar to African violets. Gloxinias prefer bright, indirect light, consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil, and stable temperatures around 70°F (21°C).
Continue to 9 of 9 below -
Areca Palms: Large, Cat-Safe Indoor Palms
Areca palms are safe plants to have around cats. Getty Images/José A. Bernat Bacete
For those seeking a larger, cat-safe houseplant, the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a suitable choice. These palms require bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil, and regular fertilization to thrive. While their care can be moderately demanding, they can create an attractive, substantial green presence in a cat-friendly home.
While many houseplants are safe for cats, numerous common varieties are toxic and should be avoided or kept out of reach. It’s crucial to identify any plant before bringing it into a home with pets. Plants known to be toxic to cats include lilies (all parts are extremely dangerous), azaleas, sago palms, daffodils, tulips, and oleander, among others. If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a potentially toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.