Bringing greenery into your home enhances its beauty and creates a more welcoming atmosphere. However, if you’re a cat owner, the well-being of your feline friend is paramount. Many popular houseplants can be toxic to cats, making it crucial to choose wisely. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of stunning Cat Safe Indoor Plants that allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds: a stylish, plant-filled home and a healthy, happy cat. This guide explores a range of beautiful and pet-friendly indoor plants, ensuring your furry companion stays safe while you indulge your love for indoor gardening.
Even though the plants listed below are considered non-toxic to cats, it’s always wise to monitor your cat’s interaction with them. While these plants are generally safe, ingesting any plant material can potentially cause mild stomach upset in some cats, especially if consumed in large quantities. If you observe your cat excessively nibbling on your plants, it’s best to place them out of reach to prevent any digestive issues.
Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus)
Pineapple plant. Striking indoor plant with sword-like leaves and a central pineapple fruit, safe for cats.
The pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) brings a unique, tropical flair to your indoor space. While you shouldn’t expect to harvest a sweet, edible pineapple from this houseplant (the fruit tends to be very bitter when home-grown), its ornamental value is undeniable. The plant features a central stem topped with a small pineapple, surrounded by eye-catching, sword-shaped leaves. Originating from tropical South America, the pineapple plant thrives in warm, bright environments.
Size: 90cm (H) x 90cm (W)
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' houseplant in a bedroom setting, showcasing its resilience and cat-friendly nature.
True to its name, the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is incredibly resilient and low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for beginner plant parents. Its tolerance for neglect and low-light conditions is remarkable. This cat safe indoor plant features large, oval, dark green leaves that add a touch of elegance to any room. The cast iron plant is perfect for brightening up shadier corners of your home.
Size: 60cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Lush Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady', a popular air-purifying and cat-friendly houseplant.
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is not only a classic and beautiful houseplant but also a recognized air purifier, listed by NASA as one of the top 10 air-cleaning plants. Its feathery fronds bring a touch of the tropics indoors. Originating from the warm, humid regions of South America, Boston ferns prefer bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil, and regular misting to maintain humidity. This pet safe indoor plant adds a refreshing touch to any living space.
Size: 90cm (H) x 90cm (W)
Calathea orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia, the prayer plant, showcasing its round leaves with silvery stripes in a bright indoor setting.
Calathea orbifolia, often called the prayer plant, is admired for its striking foliage and unique leaf movement. Its large, round leaves display beautiful silvery-green stripes and exhibit a fascinating behavior: they fold upwards at night, resembling hands in prayer, and unfurl again during the day. This cat-friendly houseplant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers consistently moist soil and regular misting to mimic its native tropical environment.
Size: 75cm (H) x 40cm (W)
String of Hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)
String of Hearts, Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii, cascading from a shelf, highlighting its delicate heart-shaped leaves.
The string of hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii) is a charming trailing plant perfect for shelves or hanging baskets. Its delicate vines are adorned with small, heart-shaped leaves, giving it a whimsical and romantic appeal. This safe indoor plant for cats prefers bright, indirect light. However, its trailing nature might make it tempting for curious cats to play with, so consider placing it in a location that minimizes feline access, even though it is non-toxic.
Size: 1m (H) x 10cm (W)
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Chinese money plant, Pilea peperomioides, also known as pancake plant, with its distinctive round leaves.
The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), also known as the pancake plant or UFO plant due to its unique, coin-shaped leaves, is a trendy and easy-to-care-for houseplant. This cat safe plant thrives in bright, indirect light and is relatively low-maintenance, requiring watering only when the soil dries out. Its distinctive foliage adds a touch of modern charm to any interior.
Size: 30cm (H) x 30cm (W)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera, displaying its vibrant blooms, a festive and cat-friendly houseplant option.
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a delightful succulent that brings festive color to your home during the holiday season with its vibrant blooms. While generally safe for cats, ingestion may cause mild stomach upset. Native to shady, humid forests, the Christmas cactus prefers moist (but not soggy) soil and indirect light. Its beautiful flowers, typically in shades of red, pink, white, purple, or yellow, make it a cheerful addition to your indoor plant collection.
Flowering Period: November to January
Size: 45cm (H) x 45cm (W)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Curly spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum 'Bonnie', a low-maintenance and popular cat-friendly choice for beginners.
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are incredibly popular for their ease of care and air-purifying qualities. They are also known to be safe house plants for cats. For a unique twist, consider the ‘Bonnie’ variety, which features charming curly leaves. Spider plants are adaptable and forgiving, tolerating some neglect. They are also easily propagated from their ‘spiderettes’ or plantlets. While non-toxic, it’s still best to discourage your cat from nibbling, as it might cause minor stomach upset.
Size: 40cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
Kentia palm, Howea forsteriana, a classic and elegant tall indoor plant that is safe for cats.
The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is an elegant and timeless choice, popular since Victorian times. Its graceful fronds add height and a touch of sophistication to any room. This large cat safe indoor plant thrives in bright, indirect light, away from direct sun and drafts. It prefers slightly moist soil (avoid overwatering) and occasional misting.
Size: 3m (H) x 1m (W)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Delicate Maidenhair fern, showcasing its graceful leaves, ideal for humid environments and safe for cats.
Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum) are known for their delicate, lacy foliage and graceful arching stems. They are perfect for adding a touch of softness and elegance to your indoor garden, especially in humid environments like bathrooms. This pet-friendly houseplant thrives in bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. If humidity is low, regular misting is beneficial.
Size: 50cm (H) x 40cm (W)
Pachira aquatica (Money Tree)
Money tree, Pachira aquatica, with its braided trunk and lush foliage, a symbol of good fortune and safe for cats.
The Pachira aquatica, commonly known as the money tree, is believed to bring good fortune and adds a touch of tropical flair to your home. Its distinctive braided trunk and lush green leaves make it a striking focal point. This non-toxic houseplant for cats is relatively easy to care for, storing water in its trunk, making it somewhat drought-tolerant. Water when the topsoil is dry and mist occasionally. It prefers bright, indirect light.
Size: 1.2m (H) x 50cm (W)
Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ (Dwarf Banana Plant)
Dwarf banana tree, Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish', with its large, exotic leaves, safe for cats and adding a tropical touch indoors.
Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ is a dwarf banana plant variety perfect for adding an exotic touch to your indoor space. Its large, paddle-shaped leaves create a bold, tropical statement. This cat-friendly plant thrives in bright light and requires consistently moist soil. While it’s a dwarf variety, it can still reach a considerable size, making it a great floor plant.
Size: 3m (H) x 1.2m (W)
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Elegant Moth orchid flowers, a popular and easy-to-grow blooming houseplant that is safe for cats.
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are beloved for their elegant and long-lasting blooms, which can appear at any time of year. These orchids are relatively easy to grow, making them a popular choice for beginners. This blooming cat safe indoor plant thrives in humid environments like bathrooms or kitchens and prefers temperatures above 15ºC (59°F).
Flowering Period: Any time of year
Size: 70cm (H) x 40cm (W)
Calathea sanderiana (Pinstripe Calathea)
Pinstripe Calathea, Calathea sanderiana, showcasing its striking pinstriped leaves with purple undersides, safe for pets.
Calathea sanderiana, also known as the pinstripe calathea, is admired for its strikingly patterned leaves. The large leaves feature delicate pink stripes and a beautiful purple underside, adding visual interest from every angle. This pet safe indoor plant enjoys warm rooms with bright, indirect light. Regular misting and consistent watering (around once a week, or when the topsoil dries) are ideal.
Size: 60cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
Watermelon peperomia, Peperomia argyreia, a compact foliage plant with watermelon rind-like leaf patterns, safe for cats.
The watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) is a delightful foliage plant, perfect for adding a touch of vibrancy to tables and shelves. Its leaves are marked with distinctive silver stripes that resemble the rind of a watermelon, hence its common name. This cat-friendly indoor plant thrives in warm rooms with bright, indirect light and benefits from regular misting, especially in summer.
Size: 30cm (H) x 30cm (W)
Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)
Zebra plant, Haworthia fasciata, a succulent with striking white stripes, non-toxic to cats and similar in appearance to Aloe vera.
The zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata) is a striking succulent with distinctive white stripes, resembling a zebra’s markings. While it shares a visual similarity with Aloe vera (which is toxic to cats), the zebra plant is non-toxic to cats and safe for pets. It’s important to ensure you are purchasing Haworthia fasciata and not a similar-looking, potentially toxic succulent. Zebra plants prefer bright, indirect light and should not be overwatered.
Size: 20cm (H) x 20cm (W)
Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlour Palm, Chamaedorea elegans, an easy-care and popular cat-friendly palm, adding height and elegance to interiors.
The parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a classic and easy-to-grow houseplant, perfect for beginners and cat owners alike. Its delicate fronds bring a touch of the tropics indoors and add height and elegance to any room. This easy cat-friendly house plant is tolerant of some neglect and prefers watering about once a week in summer, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Size: 1m (H) x 80cm (W)
Golden Polypody (Phlebodium aureum)
Golden polypody, Phlebodium aureum, a tender fern with blue-green leaves, thriving in humid conditions and safe for cats.
Golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum) is a tender fern prized for its beautiful, evergreen, blue-green leaves. It’s an excellent houseplant that adds year-round interest. A humid bathroom is an ideal location for the golden polypody, but regular misting and consistently moist soil will keep it happy in other rooms as well. Avoid overwatering. This fern is also safe for cats, making it a worry-free addition to your home.
Size: 90cm (H) x 40cm (W)
By choosing from this selection of cat safe indoor plants, you can create a lush and inviting home environment without compromising the safety of your feline companions. Enjoy the beauty and benefits of indoor plants while ensuring a healthy and happy home for everyone, including your beloved cats!
