Cat plant safety
Pet-safe plants for cats
Cats chew leaves, bat at trailing stems, and investigate new plants quickly. Choose safer plants first, then place them where your cat is less likely to make a meal of them.
Safety note: PawPlants is for general plant safety education only. If your pet ate a plant or is acting sick, contact your veterinarian, ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Good choices for cat homes
- Spider plant
- Boston fern
- African violet
- Parlor palm
- Orchid
- Peperomia
- Calathea
- Air plant
- Catnip
- Wheatgrass or cat grass
Plants cat owners should be extra careful with
- Lilies are an emergency risk for cats, including pollen and vase water.
- Pothos, philodendron, monstera, peace lily, and snake plant can irritate the mouth and stomach.
- Sago palm, oleander, foxglove, and yew should not be kept around pets.
Practical setup tips
- Use hanging planters only if your cat cannot jump to them.
- Keep cut flowers away from cats until you confirm the plant species.
- Offer cat grass or catnip as a safer chewing option.
Keep checking before you bring plants home
Common names can be confusing, and different plants may share the same nickname. Use the homepage search, compare the botanical name when possible, and ask a veterinarian when you are unsure.