Below is a guide on 12 cat friendly and safe house plants. Why, you may ask? Unfortunately for our four-legged friends some plants, including indoor plants, are toxic to animals. 

It can be difficult to find plants that are safe for our feline friends. However, we’ve provided a helpful list below – these plants are non-toxic to pets and may even provide the same health benefits that animals provide such as reducing stress and better health, according to Forbes.

The only thing to be careful of is that your pet doesn’t knock over your plant!

The cat-safe house plants shortlist:

  1. Ferns
  2. Spider plant
  3. Banana plant
  4. Calathea
  5. Money tree
  6. Chinese money plant
  7. Orchids
  8. Polka dot plant
  9. Bromeliad
  10. Haworthia
  11. Cat grass
  12. Palms. 

1. Ferns – Blue star fern, Boston fern

cat friendly and safe blue star fern with crinkly sporadic leaves on bedside table next to book

A few different ferns are suitable for pets including boston and blue star ferns. Ferns are able to grow in limited light and enjoy humidity. Ferns are perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

2. Spider plant

cat safe and friendly spider plant with stripey green and white leaves on tables with blurry background

Spider plants are a great beginner plant as they are easy to maintain, just keep out of direct sunlight. They are also great plants to begin propagating. Spider plants have a simple and effective look with their stripey leaves.

3. Banana plant

Cat friendly and safe banana plant with large green leaves in a white plant pot on a table with a sofa and wooden flooring in the background

Banana plants adore sunshine and are great at purifying the air in your home. They have large leaves that give an exotic element to your home.

4. Calathea

Cat friendly and safe calathea plant with green leaves with a lighter green centre in a grey pot on a white background

Calatheas have beautiful leaves that require a mixture of light, although best kept in the shade. Temperature is key to keep Calatheas thriving. 

5. Money tree

Cat friendly and safe money tree plant with twisted spine and green leaves in a brown pot on wooden floors next to a grey sofa

Money trees represent good fortune and with it’s twisted trunk money trees are definitely a statement plant for any room

6. Chinese Money Plant

cat friendly and safe chinese money plant with green disk like leaves in a white plant pot sitting on a wooden surface

A very easy plant to take care of. A perfect plant for beginners,the plant just needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and requires weekly watering. Chinese money plants have small and round dinner plate like leaves. 

7. Orchid

Orchids are a safe flowering plant to have around your pets and a favourite plant of many. Orchids can be safer than floral bouquets for your pet and also flower for longer. 

8. Polka dot plant

cat friendly and safe polka dot plant with weeping but healthy green leaves with reed underside and covered in white polka dots in a grey plant pot

The polka dot plant is very eye-catching, with the beautiful leaves almost shimmering when they catch the light. according to Missouri Botanical Gardens Polka dot plants are native to Madagascar.

9. Bromeliad

cat friendly and safe bromeliad plant with red flower in the centre and green leave poking out around the flower in a grey plant pot

Bromeliads are flowering plants, with bright flowers that thrive in moist warm conditions and indirect sunlight. Pineapples are a fruit species of bromeliad plants! Bromeliads can bring a tropical feel to your indoor space.

10. Haworthia

cat friendly and safe fairy washboard or zebra plant succulent with green spikey leaves and white ridgey stripes in white plant pot

Haworthia plants are known as fairy washboards, with their little white ridges it’s easy to picture why! They’re very easy to care for and come in a variety of colours and sizes.

11. Cat grass

black and white cat looking interested and sitting next to cat grass similar to regular grass
*Cat Not Included!

Primrose has cat grass available as seeds so you can grow them indoors and outdoors, ideal for cats to chew on

12. Palm Plants –Areca, Parlour and Kentia

A variety of palms including areca, parlour and kentia are pet friendly.Palms come in a wide variety of sizes. They are air purifying and mood enhancing. Exercise caution though as not all palms are pet friendly.

What to do if your cat does eat something potentially harmful?

If the worst comes to worst and your cat does ingest something potentially poisonous, first try not to panic. As with any first aid try to remove any further danger. This means moving the plant away from the cat or vice versa. Next, check the cat’s mouth and body for any further poisonous material and remove. Keep your pet away from other pets to avoid endangering them. RSPCA advise is to call your vet immediately, where safe try to take a sample of the poisonous substance so the vet can understand what’s gone on.

Common cat poisons include -paracetamol, lilies, antifreeze, flea treatment for dogs, decorating materials. Specific to plants, poisons include -spring bulbs, amaryllis, crocus, azaleas, rhododendrons, chrysanthemum, daffodils, english ivy, hyacinths, tulip, devil’s ivy, sago palm, oleander, spanish thyme, kalanchoe, dieffenbachia and castor bean

That’s our wrap up for cat friendly and safe house plants. Whatever plant you purchase make sure to take a look at our advice on how to look after it including, best temperature for your plant, how to water it and preferred location.

For outdoor spaces make sure to check out our blog post on how to make a cat friendly garden.