Cat parents can be plant parents too! Here are 39 popular plants safe for cats.
After hours of research, I put together a list of plants that are popular amongst plant hobbyists that are also safe for your kitty to play with. But I would not encourage you to let your cat snack on them intentionally.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiled and ranked the 10 most popular ways cats encounter toxins. Plants have made the top 5 of the list. If you are thinking of getting a plant on this list, you are safe!
Here are the 39 plants safe for cats:
Calathea Species
Examples: Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia), Calathea Prayer Plant (Calathea orbifolia), Calathea Peacock (Calathea makoyana)
Key Points:
- Can live in moderate to low light setting
- Easier Watering Schedule
- Low maintenance
Spider Plant
Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Key Points:
- Purifies toxins in the air
- Incredibility resilient
- Prefers light shade
- Maintain lightly moist soil with distilled water
Parlor Palm
Scientific Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Key Points:
- Needs only a few hours of indirect sunlight a day
- Only 2 feet tall, but feels bigger
- Water when top 1 inch of soil is dry
Ponytail Palm
Scientific Name: Beaucarnea recurvata
Key Points:
- Prefers low light, but not no light
- Water when soil is dry
- Natural air purifier
(Certain) Succulents
Examples: Haworthia Zebra (Haworthiopsis attenuata), Echeveria (Echeveria lilacina)
Key Points:
- Need lots of indirect or direct sunlight
- Easier Watering Schedule
Air Plants
Scientific Name: Tillandsia varieties
Key Points:
- soak them in water every/couple week(s)
African Violet
Scientific Name: Saintpaulia
Key Points:
- Needs indirect sunlight
- Doesn’t like drafty floor vents or windows
- Can bloom all year round
Bird’s Nest Fern
Scientific Name: Asplenium nidus
Key Points:
- Needs low indirect light
- Can thrice n varying humidity conditions
Gloxinia
Scientific Name: Sinningia speciosa
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Keep the soil moist
- Can give plant food every couple weeks
Venus Fly Trap
Scientific Name: Dionaea muscipula
Key Points:
- Low maintenance
- Needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight
- Water with distilled water
- 1 to 2 insects a month to sustain itself
Boston Fern
Scientific Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Key Points:
- Lower maintenance
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Natural humidifier
Polka Dot Plant
Scientific Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
Key Points:
- Needs medium to bright light
- Keep soil moist
Peperomia Species
Examples: Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia), American Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia), Peperomia Ginny (Peperomia clusiifolia)
Key Points:
- Water when the top inch or 2 inches of the soil is dry
- Can withstand some drought
- Removes toxins from the air
Orchid
Scientific Name: Orchidaceae
Key Points:
- Needs partial indirect light
- Need a little more care
- More sensitive to temperature and environment
Staghorn Fern
Scientific Name: Platycerium bifurcatum
Key Points:
- Needs bright or indirect light, never in a dark room
- Water every couple of weeks
Kimberly Queen Fern
Scientific Name: Nephrolepis obliterata
Key Points:
- Needs not too much light
- Lower maintenance
Scarlet star plant
Scientific Name: Guzmania lingulata
Key Points:
- Drought tolerant
- Needs bright indirect light
- Water with distilled water
Bromeliad Summer
Scientific Name: Tillandsia ‘summer’
Key Points:
- Needs indirect sunlight
- Water anywhere from every 2 weeks to every 2 months
Baby Tears
Scientific Name: Soleirolia soleirolii
Key Points:
- Good choice for beginner
- Needs indirect light
- Good indicators when it needs water (start wilting immediately)
Friendship Plant
Scientific Name: Pilea involucrata
Key Points:
- Needs moderate to bright indirect light
- Water when soil is slightly dry
- Water less in colder months
Furry Reminder
We are not plant experts!
Make sure to consult other plant specialists to get specific plant care instructions.
Date Palm
Scientific Name: Phoenix dactylifera
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Soil needs to be slightly drier
Majesty Palm
Scientific Name: Ravenea rivularis
Key Points:
- Needs as much indirect light as possible
- Make sure the soil is evenly moist
- Bottom leave will wilt or fall off if the soil is too dry
Herbs
Examples: Basil, rosemary, and thyme. There are herbs that cats cannot eat, such as chives.
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Keep soil moist
Neon Prayer Plant
Scientific Name: Maranta leuconeura
Key Points:
- Can live in low to bright indirect light
- Never allow soil to completely dry out
- Water when top layer of soil is dry
Money Tree
Scientific Name: Pachira aquatica
Key Points:
- Purifies the air from cleaning product toxins
- Needs moderate to bright indirect sunlight
- Water regularly when top of the soil is dry
Hibiscus
Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus syriacus
Key Points:
- Needs as much indirect light as possible
- Water more from spring to autumn, less during dormant season
Impatiens
Scientific Name: Impatiens varieties
Key Points:
- Can thrive in shade
- Water more when its hotter
Bamboo Plant
Scientific Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Keep soil evenly moist
Chinese Palm Plant
Scientific Name: Trachycarpus fortunei
Key Points:
- Drought tolerant
- Can thrive in shade or full sun
- Keep soil moist, but well drained
Lady Palm
Scientific Name: Rhapis excelsa
Key Points:
- Removes pollutants from the air
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Somewhat drought tolerant when it’s fully grown
Areca Palm
Scientific Name: Dypsis lutescens
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Allow soil to dry out before watering
Roses
Scientific Name: Rosa varieties
Key Points:
- Needs direct sunlight
- Be careful of spider mites when air is too dry
- Need to be very attentive to their water needs
Cast Iron Plant
Scientific Name: Aspidistra elatior
Key Points:
- Super low maintenance
- Can use some aesthetic care–wiping down the leaves
- Needs moderate indirect light
Fishbone Cactus
Scientific Name: Epiphyllum anguliger
Key Points:
- Prefers humid conditions
- Needs dappled, indirect light
- Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry
Chinese Money Plant
Scientific Name: Pilea peperomioides
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Can survive in low to moderate light conditions
- Let soil nearly dry out before watering
Banana Tree
Scientific Name: Musa
Key Points:
- Needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
- Needs lots of water and high humidity
- Trees kept indoors rarely produce fruits
- Needs rich and deep soil with good drainage
Mosaic plant
Scientific Name: Fittonia albivenis
Key Points:
- Needs low to moderate indirect light
- Moderate watering schedule
- Prefers humid environments
Purple Waffle Plant
Scientific Name: Hemigraphis ‘Exotica’
Key Points:
- Needs bright, indirect light
- Needs moist and well-drained soil
- Great air purifiers
Purple Passion Vine
Scientific Name: Gynura aurantiaca
Key Points:
- The more light, the deeper the purple gets
- Water only when solid is dry
