Top 10 non-toxic houseplants for cats

Frederike

I am a student of agricultural sciences and a real country kid. At home, I love tending my small vegetable garden and spending time out in nature. When not outdoors, I love to write. Beyond gardening and writing, however, I am particularly passionate about wildlife.

Favourite fruit: currants and raspberries
Favourite vegetables: salsify, savoy cabbage and potatoes

Discover ten cat-safe houseplants that are non-toxic, making them perfect for households with curious cats.

Cat sat with cat grass in a pot — Fortunately, there are a number of plants that are non-toxic to cats [Photo: Okssi/ Shutterstock.com]

Climbing, romping, playing − cats are curious creatures and want to explore everything, and that includes houseplants. But not all houseplants are safe for cats. In fact, there are many popular indoor plants that are toxic for cats. Read on to discover our top ten cat-friendly houseplants which are completely harmless to our feline friends.

Contents

1. Calathea
2. Norfolk pine
3. Cat grass
4. Lady’s purse
5. Canary Island date palm
6. Firecracker flower
7. Cupid’s bow
8. Jade plant
9. Hibiscus
10. Catnip

1. Calathea

With their patterned and variegated leaves, calatheas (Calathea) are truly beautiful plants. And with almost 300 species and a wide selection of distinct patterns to choose from, many houseplant lovers like to collect them. However, caring for calatheas can be difficult as they can be a little fussy. These plants do not like direct sunlight, waterlogging or drought, and need to be misted regularly. Nevertheless, calatheas remain ideal houseplants for those of us with cats. All calathea species are non-toxic, so you can bring them into your home without hesitation.

Close up of the Calathea plant leaves — With nearly 300 species, there is a vast range of Calathea plants [Photo: Voravuth sompaiboon/ Shutterstock.com]

2. Norfolk pine

While Christmas trees are restricted to December, the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a welcome guest all year round. This is because, unlike other conifers, it can be kept as a houseplant. With proper care, Norfolk pines can even grow up to 2m tall indoors. Unfortunately, they do not tolerate temperatures above 15 °C very well. So, the best spot for these trees is somewhere cool and bright. If you can provide a Norfolk pine with such conditions, it will bring outdoor joy inside, especially for your cats.

Norfolk island pine plants — Visually, the Norfolk island pine resembles the fir, but it has much finer and lighter needles [Photo: Young Swee Ming/ Shutterstock.com]

3. Cat grass

Cat grass (Cyperus zumula) is a real boon for our small four-legged feline friends. It contains valuable nutrients and stimulates digestion, so nibbling is not just safe, but actually beneficial. Not only that, but cats with access to cat grass will generally leave other houseplants alone. To top it off, cat grass looks fresh and is easy to care for too.

Two cats with cat grass in a pot — Cat grass contains valuable ingredients and stimulates digestion [Photo: Irina Kozorog/ Shutterstock.com]

4. Lady’s purse

The lady’s purse (Calceolaria), also known as slipper flower, is a real eye-catcher in spring. These plants owe their unusual name to their flowers. If you look closely, the shape of the flowers resembles a small bag. The bright, puffy flowers come in yellow, orange and red and look wonderful on balconies and window sills. Fortunately, lady’s purses are not only beautiful, but also non-toxic, so they are safe for cats to play with.

Yellow blossoms on the slipper flower plant — The bright, puffy flowers in particular make the slipper flower a real eye-catcher [Photo: Darko Zivlakovic/ Shutterstock.com]

5. Canary Island date palm

The Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) brings a tropical flair to any home. This plant has impressive, large leaf fronds and is a low-maintenance wonder. It only needs a sunny location and regular watering to thrive. With good care, these palms can grow up to 2m high, so they are generally not suitable for smaller homes. However, Canary Island date palms are not poisonous, making them a no-brainer for cat-owners.

Large Canary island date palm outside in a pot — With good care, the Canary island date palm can grow up to two metres high. It is therefore not suitable for every home [Photo: Manfred Ruckszio/ Shutterstock.com]

6. Firecracker flower

With its salmon pink or orange flowers suspended over dark green leaves, the firecracker flower (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is an attention grabber. These plants produce magnificent blooms with very little care. They just need a bright location, temperatures above 18°C and regular watering. And once again, they are beautiful flowers that are perfect for cat owners thanks to them being non-toxic.

Peach blossoms of the firecracker plant — With its salmon-pink or orange flowers and dark green leaves, the firecracker flower attracts all eyes [Photo: Ranjith Kumar Ravindran/ Shutterstock.com]

7. Cupid’s bow

Those seeing the cupid’s bow (Achimenes longiflora) for the first time are immediately drawn to the unique shape of its flowers and their bright colours. Cupid’s bows plants can be grown as hanging plants in a hanging basket. Hung in the right place, they are out of reach of cats. However, if somehow your cat does manage to reach it or you decide against keeping it as a hanging plant, Cupid’s bows are not toxic and therefore safe for your felines.

Purple blossoms of the cupids bow plant — Grown as a hanging basket plant, no cat can touch the cupids bow [Photo: Auhustsinovich/ Shutterstock.com]

8. Jade plant

Jade plants (Crassula ovata), also commonly known as money trees, will enrich your home. With their thick succulent leaves, these houseplants are popular and known for being robust. Jade plants have secured a spot on the list of houseplants that are nearly impossible to kill and can survive for several generations. These plants are also commonly given as gifts, because they are considered lucky and a symbol of prosperity. As they are non-toxic to cats, they are great options for cat owners as well.

Cat lying under a jade plant in a pot — The jade plant is non-toxic to cats [Photo: Merkyte/ Shutterstock.com]

9. Hibiscus

Hibiscus plants (Hibiscus) are mainly known for their beauty. Their large, brightly coloured flowers and dark foliage place them among the most impressive houseplants around. Fortunately, despite their exotic origin, hibisci are considered hardy and are relatively low maintenance. And if you own a cat, you can keep this popular houseplant in your home with a clear conscience, as it is non-toxic.

Orange-pink blossom of the hibiscus — With its brightly coloured flowers and dark foliage, the hibiscus is one of the most impressive houseplants [Photo: afarland/ Shutterstock.com]

10. Catnip

With its strong, minty smell, catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a magnet for house cats. Catnip contains the feline attractant nepetalactone, which evokes a sense of euphoria for most cats. They play with the plant, prance around it and even roll in it. When house cats eat catnip, the result is often mild sedation and tranquillity. Despite these intoxicating effects, cat owners need not fear, as catnip is non-toxic, so is completely safe for cats. In fact, if you ever need to put your cat in a cat carrier, catnip can even be very helpful. Placing a bit of catnip inside the crate will make many cats go in willingly and make them much more relaxed during the journey.

Cat lying down licking catnip — The smell of catnip is attractive to cats [Photo: Anna Hoychuck/ Shutterstock.com]

Tip: To keep your houseplants strong and healthy, fertilise them regularly. Pet owners, in particular, should look for organic fertilisers with harmless ingredients. Our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food is perfect for all pet owners and is easily applied via watering.