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Non-Toxic Plants for Cats

Written by Anne |

Do you have a cat at home and a love of plants? Then you probably know how difficult it can be to combine the two. Unfortunately, many popular plants are toxic to cats, which can make you question every new plant or bouquet you bring into your home. Fortunately, there are also plenty of non-toxic plants for cats that allow you to brighten up your interior or garden safely. In this blog, you will discover which house plants are safe for cats and which garden plants you can place in a cat-friendly environment without worry.

Cat-Safe Plants

Cats are curious animals and like to put their nose, and sometimes their teeth, into everything that grows and flowers. A loose-hanging leaf or swaying stem can quickly become an interesting toy. This is precisely why it is important to choose plant species that are safe for cats.

Whether you want to add more greenery to your living room or create a safe garden for your cat, there are plenty of cat-safe plants that you can place without risk. Consider decorative grasses, air-purifying house plants or flowering garden plants that are safe for your pet.

Fortunately, this means you do not have to rely solely on artificial plants!

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Safe House Plants

This table contains a list of house plants that are safe for cats.

English name Botanical name
Pineapple plant Ananas comosus
Areca palm (Golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
Pickle plant Delosperma echinatum
Banana plant Musa spp.
Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifrizii
Bromeliad Guzmania, Vriesea, Aechmea (Bromeliaceae)
Calathea Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)
String of hearts Ceropegia woodii
Fittonia Fittonia albivenis
Jade plant Crassula ovata
Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Parlour palm Chamaedorea elegans
Cat grass Dactylis glomerata or Hordeum vulgare
Kentia palm Howea forsteriana
Coffee plant Coffea arabica
Kidney weed Dichondra repens or Pilea glauca
Christmas cactus Schlumbergera spp.
Prayer plant Maranta leuconeura
Ponytail palm Beaucarnea recurvata
Orchid Phalaenopsis spp.
Chinese money plant Pilea peperomioides
Friendship plant Pilea involucrata
Peperomia Peperomia spp.
Polyscias / Aralia Polyscias spp.
Lady palm (Fan palm) Rhapis excelsa
Sedum burrito Sedum morganianum ‘Burrito’
Mind-your-own-business Soleirolia soleirolii
Fern* Nephrolepis, Asplenium spp.
Zebra cactus Haworthiopsis attenuata

*Please note: Some ferns are safe, while others contain plant parts that are more or less toxic. It is therefore important to check whether each individual species is safe.

Safe Garden Plants

This table contains a list of garden plants that are safe for cats.

English name Botanical name
Apple tree Malus domestica
Bamboo Fargesia spp. or Phyllostachys spp.
European Michaelmas daisy Aster amellus
Crimson glory vine Vitis coignetiae
Lemon balm Melissa officinalis
Dill Anethum graveolens
Wall germander Teucrium chamaedrys
Cornelian cherry Cornus mas
Common hazel Corylus avellana
Pot marigold Calendula officinalis
Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis
Large-flowered climbing rose Rosa hybrids
Cockscomb Celosia argentea
New York aster Aster novi-belgii or Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
Roman chamomile* Chamaemelum nobile
Catmint Nepeta spp.
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
Mint Mentha spp.
Oregano Origanum vulgare
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Purple moor grass Molinia caerulea
Chinese silver grass Miscanthus sinensis
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Sage Salvia officinalis
Red turtlehead Chelone obliqua
Feather reed grass Calamagrostis acutiflora
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Fern Dryopteris, Athyrium, Polystichum spp.
Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii
Sedge Carex spp.
Sunflower Helianthus annuus

*German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) can cause irritation.

Are you unsure whether your cat has eaten a safe or toxic plant? Always contact your veterinary surgeon.

This list of safe garden and house plants is not exhaustive. Make sure you are properly informed before choosing a plant for your home or garden. Would you also like to know which plants are toxic? You can also read our blog about toxic plants.

Do you have any questions after reading this text? Contact our veterinary team by email at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.