Bringing plants into your home can create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. However, if you’re a cat owner, it’s crucial to choose your greenery wisely. Many popular houseplants can be toxic to cats, leading to unpleasant symptoms if nibbled on. Fortunately, there are plenty of beautiful and stylish houseplants that are perfectly safe for your feline friends. This guide will walk you through some fantastic Cat Safe Houseplants, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature indoors without worry.
While these plants are considered non-toxic to cats, it’s always wise to monitor your pet’s interaction with any houseplant. Even cat safe houseplants can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities. If you notice your cat excessively munching on your plants, it’s best to place them out of reach.
Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus)
Pineapple plant (Ananas comosus), a cat safe houseplant with sword-like leaves and a central pineapple fruit.
The pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) is a striking and exotic cat safe houseplant that brings a touch of the tropics to your living space. While you shouldn’t expect a sweet, edible pineapple from a houseplant version (it will be very bitter!), the ornamental fruit nestled in the center of the plant is visually appealing. The plant boasts attractive, sword-shaped leaves that add architectural interest. Native to 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', a resilient and cat friendly houseplant with decorative oval leaves.
For beginners or those seeking low-maintenance options, the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is an excellent cat safe houseplant. True to its name, it’s incredibly resilient and forgiving. It tolerates neglect, low light conditions, and infrequent watering, making it perfect for busy cat owners. Its large, oval leaves are aesthetically pleasing and can brighten up shadier corners of your home. Keep this pet friendly houseplant out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.
Size: 60cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady'), a classic air-purifying and non-toxic houseplant for cats.
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is not only a beautiful and classic houseplant, but also a cat safe houseplant that offers air-purifying benefits. It’s featured on NASA’s list of top 10 air-purifying plants, making it a healthy addition to your home environment. Originating from tropical regions of South America, Boston ferns prefer warmth and humidity. Place them in a warm spot away from direct sun, keep the soil consistently moist, and mist regularly to maintain humidity levels. This non-toxic houseplant for cats adds a touch of lush greenery to any room.
Size: 90cm (H) x 90cm (W)
Calathea orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia, a prayer plant known for its striking striped leaves and cat-safe properties.
Calathea orbifolia, often called the prayer plant, is a visually stunning cat safe indoor plant known for its unique leaf movements. Its large, round leaves with distinctive silvery-green stripes fold upwards at night, resembling hands in prayer. This fascinating behavior adds an extra layer of interest to this already beautiful plant. Calathea orbifolia thrives in bright, indirect light and requires consistently moist soil. Regular misting will help maintain the humidity it loves. This pet safe houseplant is a stylish and safe choice for cat owners.
Size: 75cm (H) x 40cm (W)
String of Hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)
String of hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii), a trailing cat friendly plant perfect for shelves and hanging baskets.
For a touch of delicate charm, consider the string of hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii). This trailing plant is a beautiful cat safe hanging plant ideal for shelves or hanging baskets, allowing its long stems with heart-shaped leaves to cascade gracefully. Place it in a bright location out of direct sunlight. While string of hearts is a non-toxic houseplant for cats, its dangling stems might be tempting for playful felines. Consider placing it in a location less accessible to your cat if you notice excessive interest.
Size: 1m (H) x 10cm (W)
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), also known as pancake plant, a low-maintenance and cat-safe option.
The Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), also known as the pancake plant due to its unique round leaves, is a low-maintenance and cat safe houseplant. It’s easy to care for and thrives in bright, indirect light. Water this pet friendly indoor plant when the soil dries out. Its distinctive foliage adds a modern and minimalist touch to any interior.
Size: 30cm (H) x 30cm (W)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), a festive and cat-safe flowering houseplant.
Add a splash of color to your home with the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera). This attractive cactus is a cat safe flowering houseplant that blooms during the festive season, bringing cheer and vibrancy indoors. While generally safe for cats, ingestion might cause mild stomach upset, so keep an eye on your feline friend. Native to shady, humid forests, the Christmas cactus prefers moist (but not soggy) soil and indirect light. Increase humidity by placing it on a saucer of wet gravel. Enjoy its beautiful blooms in shades of red, white, pink, purple, or yellow.
Flowering Period: November to January
Size: 45cm (H) x 45cm (W)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plant 'Bonnie' (Chlorophytum comosum), a popular and easy-to-propagate cat-safe houseplant with curly leaves.
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are incredibly popular due to their low-maintenance nature and air-purifying qualities. They are also a readily available and easy to grow cat safe houseplant, perfect for beginners. For added visual appeal, consider the ‘Bonnie’ variety with its charming curly leaves. Spider plants are adaptable and can tolerate some neglect. While considered non-toxic to cats, spider plants contain mild hallucinogenic properties that can attract cats, and excessive nibbling could lead to stomach upset. Place it out of reach if your cat shows too much interest. Spider plants are also incredibly easy to propagate, allowing you to create new plants from offshoots.
Size: 40cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), a classic and elegant large cat safe houseplant for adding height.
For a touch of elegance and height, the Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is a fantastic large cat safe houseplant. Popular since Victorian times, it remains a classic choice for adding vertical interest to any room. Kentia palms thrive in bright, indirect light, away from direct sunlight and drafts. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, and mist occasionally. This pet friendly palm brings a sophisticated and tropical feel to your home.
Size: 3m (H) x 1m (W)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), a delicate and graceful cat safe fern ideal for humid environments like bathrooms.
The maidenhair fern (Adiantum) is a delicate and graceful cat safe fern with beautiful, arching stems and feathery leaves. It’s perfect for adding a touch of softness and elegance to your indoor space. Ideal for humid environments like bathrooms, the maidenhair fern thrives in moisture. If humidity is low, mist it regularly. Keep the soil consistently moist and place it in bright, indirect sunlight. This non-toxic fern for cats is a stunning addition to your home.
Size: 50cm (H) x 40cm (W)
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Money tree (Pachira aquatica), a braided trunk cat safe plant believed to bring good fortune.
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is not only considered to bring good fortune but is also a cat safe tree for indoors. Its distinctive braided trunk and lush green leaves make it a visually appealing and symbolic houseplant. The money tree stores water in its trunk, so avoid overwatering. Water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry and mist every few days. Place it in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. This pet safe tree is relatively easy to care for and adds a touch of prosperity to your home.
Size: 1.2m (H) x 50cm (W)
Dwarf Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’)
Dwarf Cavendish banana (Musa acuminata), a large leafed exotic and cat friendly houseplant.
Bring an exotic touch to your indoor décor with the Dwarf Cavendish banana (Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’). This variety of banana plant is a large leaf cat safe houseplant that adds a tropical feel to any room. Its broad, lush leaves create a dramatic statement. Give it plenty of light and keep the soil consistently moist. While it’s a dwarf variety, it can still reach up to 2-3 meters in height, making it a striking focal point. This non-toxic large houseplant for cats is sure to impress.
Size: 3m (H) x 1.2m (W)
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis), an elegant and easy to grow cat-safe flowering houseplant.
Enjoy the elegant and long-lasting blooms of moth orchids (Phalaenopsis). These popular orchids are cat safe flowering houseplants that can bloom at any time of year, providing continuous beauty. They are also relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for orchid beginners. To keep your moth orchid happy, place it in a humid room like a bathroom or kitchen, where temperatures stay above 15ºC. These pet friendly orchids are a sophisticated and safe way to add floral beauty to your home.
Flowering Period: Any time of year
Size: 70cm (H) x 40cm (W)
Calathea sanderiana
Calathea sanderiana, also known as pin-stripe plant, a decorative and cat-safe houseplant with striking foliage.
Calathea sanderiana, also known as the pin-stripe plant, is another beautiful Calathea variety that is cat safe. Its large, striking leaves feature prominent pink stripes and a purple underside, adding a vibrant touch to your indoor garden. This pet friendly foliage plant prefers warmth and bright, indirect light. Mist it every few days and water regularly, about once a week or when the top two inches of soil are dry.
Size: 60cm (H) x 60cm (W)
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia), a small and decorative cat-safe foliage plant with watermelon patterned leaves.
The watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) is a delightful and compact cat safe foliage plant perfect for brightening up tables or shelves. Its leaves are distinctively patterned, resembling the rind of a watermelon, hence its name. This attractive pet friendly plant thrives in warm rooms with bright, indirect light. Mist it every few days, especially in the summer, and avoid strong direct sunlight.
Size: 30cm (H) x 30cm (W)
Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)
Zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata), a succulent and cat-safe plant with striking white stripes, resembling Aloe vera but non-toxic.
If you love the look of succulents, the zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata) is an excellent cat safe succulent. It resembles Aloe vera, which is toxic to cats, but this striped succulent is perfectly safe for your feline companions. Often sold as ‘Alba’, ensure you’re specifically purchasing Haworthia fasciata to avoid confusion with similar-looking but potentially toxic plants. Don’t overwater this pet friendly succulent, and keep it in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.
Size: 20cm (H) x 20cm (W)
Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), an easy-care and classic cat safe palm for adding greenery to any room.
The parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a classic and easy-care cat safe palm that’s perfect for adding greenery to any room. It’s a tolerant plant that can withstand some neglect, making it ideal for busy individuals. To keep your parlour palm looking its best, water about once a week in the summer, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. This pet friendly palm adds height and a touch of the tropics with minimal effort.
Size: 1m (H) x 80cm (W)
Golden Polypody (Phlebodium aureum)
Golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum), a blue-green evergreen and cat-safe fern thriving in humid conditions.
The golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum) is a tender fern with beautiful blue-green, evergreen leaves, making it an attractive cat safe fern year-round. It thrives in humid environments, making a steamy bathroom an ideal location. If a humid room isn’t available, mist it regularly and keep the compost moist, but avoid overwatering. This non-toxic fern for cats adds a touch of unique color and texture to your indoor plant collection.
Size: 90cm (H) x 40cm (W)
Choosing cat safe houseplants doesn’t mean sacrificing style or variety. As you can see, there’s a wide range of beautiful, easy-to-care-for, and pet friendly indoor plants available to suit any taste and home décor. Enjoy bringing the beauty of nature indoors while ensuring the safety and well-being of your beloved feline companions.
