🌱 14 Cat Safe House Plants
So, you adore your plants, right? And your cat? Well, your cat probably adores your plants too, usually by attempting to devour them like a tiny, furry herbivore on a mission. The struggle is real when you’re trying to cultivate a lush indoor jungle without sending your beloved floof to the emergency vet.
Good news, fellow plant and pet parent! You absolutely can have a gorgeous, green oasis that’s also totally safe for your curious kitty. We’ve rounded up fourteen of the coolest, most stylish, and utterly non-toxic plants that will make your space sing and keep your furball purring.
1. Spider Plant
Okay, let’s be real, you probably already have one of these, and for good reason. Spider plants are the OG low-maintenance, high-impact houseplant, and bonus points, your furry overlord can munch on them all day without a single worry.
They’re super easy to propagate, so you can literally grow an army of them. Just snip off a “spiderette” and pop it in water or soil. Pro tip: If your cat is a serious chewer, hang these babies up in a macrame hanger to keep them out of reach, mostly. They still look great as a trailing plant.
Seriously, if you’re new to the whole “cat and plant” balancing act, start here. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
2. Boston Fern
Want that classic, feathery green vibe? The Boston Fern is your go-to. It’s totally non-toxic and brings a touch of old-school elegance to any room. Plus, its frilly leaves are pretty mesmerizing, even for a cat.
These guys love humidity, so a bathroom or kitchen nook is prime real estate for them. Pro tip: Give them a good misting every now and then, or place them on a pebble tray with water. Your cat will appreciate the extra humidity too, probably.
A true classic that won’t give you or your cat any drama. What’s not to love?
3. Areca Palm
Dreaming of a tropical escape but stuck in your living room? An Areca Palm is your ticket. These tall, graceful beauties are totally cat-safe and give off major vacation vibes, minus the sand in your shoes.
They’re fantastic at purifying the air, which is a nice bonus. Give them bright, indirect light and consistent watering. Pro tip: If your cat tries to scale it like a tiny jungle explorer, a wider, heavier pot might deter them from tipping it over.
Bring the tropics home without the toxic worry. Your cat might even sunbathe under its fronds.
4. Prayer Plant
Prepare to be charmed by the Prayer Plant. Its leaves boast stunning patterns of green, red, and pink, and get this: they actually fold up at night like hands in prayer, then unfurl again in the morning. It’s basically a living art piece.
These low-light lovers are perfect for those shadier spots in your home. They also love humidity, so keep them happy with a good mist. Pro tip: Their dramatic leaf movements are fascinating to watch, even for a cat who usually only cares about chasing laser pointers.
A truly unique plant that adds dynamic beauty and zero danger to your home.
5. Christmas Cactus
Who says cacti have to be spiky and dangerous? The Christmas Cactus is a succulent rockstar with beautiful, segmented leaves and vibrant blooms around the holidays. It’s entirely safe for your feline friend to sniff, or even nibble.
Unlike desert cacti, these prefer a bit more water and indirect light. They’re super forgiving if you forget a watering or two. Pro tip: To encourage those festive blooms, give it a period of cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours in the fall.
A festive, flowery option that brings color without the vet bill.
6. Haworthia
Meet the Haworthia, often called a “Zebra Plant” due to its cool striped patterns. It looks like a miniature aloe vera but is totally safe for your curious kitty. Perfect for small spaces or a desk plant.
These succulents are super low maintenance, needing minimal water and bright, indirect light. They basically thrive on neglect. Pro tip: Place a few of these together in a shallow tray for a cool, desert-inspired display that’s totally paw-proof.
All the architectural coolness of a succulent, none of the toxicity.
7. African Violet
Tiny, fuzzy, and covered in gorgeous blooms, the African Violet is a classic for a reason. These little beauties come in a rainbow of colors and are absolutely non-toxic to your furball. They’re perfect for adding a pop of color to a windowsill.
They love bright, indirect light and prefer bottom-watering to keep their fuzzy leaves dry. Pro tip: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms. Your cat might even enjoy batting at the vibrant petals.
Small but mighty, these plants bring a burst of color safely.
8. Friendship Plant
The Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata) is a real charmer with its crinkly, textured leaves that often have a metallic sheen. It’s compact, easy to care for, and completely safe for your pet. Plus, it propagates like crazy, making it perfect for sharing with friends.
It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and likes to stay consistently moist. Pro tip: Its name comes from how easily you can share cuttings. Snip a stem, stick it in water, and watch it root. Instant plant gifts!
A lovely, textured plant that’s as friendly to your cat as it is to your friends.
9. Orchid
Thinking orchids are too fancy for a pet-friendly home? Think again! Phalaenopsis orchids, the most common variety, are completely non-toxic to cats. Their elegant blooms can last for months, making them a stunning focal point.
They prefer bright, indirect light and a good soak-and-dry watering routine. Don’t overwater them! Pro tip: If your cat is tempted by the long flower spike, try placing it on a higher shelf or in a decorative pot that makes it harder to reach.
Elevate your plant game with these sophisticated, yet safe, beauties.
10. Staghorn Fern
Want something truly unique and conversation-starting? A Staghorn Fern is your answer. These epiphytic ferns grow mounted on wood or in hanging baskets, boasting impressive, antler-like fronds. And yes, they’re totally cat-safe.
They love bright, indirect light and high humidity. Water by soaking the entire mount or basket. Pro tip: Mounting them high on a wall not only looks super cool but also keeps them well out of paw’s reach, making them extra safe.
An architectural marvel that adds serious jungle vibes without any risk.
11. Money Tree
Good news for your decor and your wallet: the classic Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is considered non-toxic to cats. With its distinctive braided trunk and lush green leaves, it’s a popular choice for bringing good fortune and good looks to your space.
It enjoys bright, indirect light and a consistent watering schedule, letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Pro tip: These plants are pretty robust, but if your cat does manage to chew a leaf, don’t sweat it. Just prune off the damaged bit.
Bring on the good vibes and green leaves, safely and stylishly.
12. Polka Dot Plant
For a splash of playful color, grab a Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya). Its vibrant pink, red, or white spots on green leaves are seriously eye-catching. While it might cause mild stomach upset if eaten in large quantities, it’s generally considered non-toxic and a fun addition.
These little guys love bright, indirect light to keep their colors vivid. They can get leggy, so don’t be afraid to pinch them back to encourage bushier growth. Pro tip: Group a few different colored varieties together for a truly whimsical display.
A cheerful, colorful plant that brightens any room, safely.
13. Baby Tears
Covering pots or spilling over edges, Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) create a lush, moss-like carpet of tiny green leaves. They’re absolutely adorable, grow super fast, and are completely safe for your feline friends to explore.
They prefer consistent moisture and bright, indirect light. Think of them as a living green carpet for your plant arrangements. Pro tip: If they start to look a little sparse, a good trim will encourage new, dense growth. Your cat might even enjoy batting at the tiny leaves.
A delightful, delicate groundcover that adds softness and safety.
14. Wax Plant (Hoya)
The Wax Plant, or Hoya, is a stunner with thick, waxy leaves and often fragrant, star-shaped flowers. It’s a vining plant that looks amazing in hanging baskets and is totally non-toxic to your beloved pet.
Hoyas are pretty chill, needing bright, indirect light and infrequent watering. They’re actually succulents, so they store water in their leaves. Pro tip: Don’t repot them often; they prefer to be a bit root-bound to encourage flowering. Plus, hanging them keeps them tantalizingly out of reach.
A beautiful, low-maintenance vine that’s safe for all your household inhabitants.
Conclusion
See? You absolutely don’t have to choose between your plant obsession and your fur baby. With these fourteen fabulous, cat-safe options, you can create the lush, green sanctuary you’ve always dreamed of, without a single worry about your curious kitty taking a bite. Go forth and greenify your home, responsibly and stylishly. Your cat might even thank you with extra head boops. Probably.
