I really feel like all I ever do on this weblog is let you know what NOT to do along with your cats: don’t give your cats milk. Don’t let them play with string. Don’t use essential oils. Don’t bring flowers into the house.
Nicely, people, at this time that every one adjustments.
This weblog is all about stuff you CAN deliver into the home with cats. In truth, I encourage you to fill your private home with the whole lot on this record.
I’ve picked 14 completely attractive houseplant species which might be comparatively simple to handle. All of those vegetation are beautiful to take a look at and satisfying to nurture. And a few of these vegetation even have the superb skill to take away indoor air air pollution from your private home.
However most significantly, all 14 of those houseplants are completely protected to maintain with cats.
A fast phrase about houseplants which might be non-toxic to cats
Each single plant on this record was crosschecked with the ASPCA’s record of non-toxic houseplants. You could find the complete record of each poisonous and non-toxic vegetation right here:
ASPCA Poison Control’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List
The 14 varieties that I embody this weblog publish are removed from an exhaustive record of vegetation that you may maintain with cats. In truth, I counted 868 vegetation on the ASPCA record of vegetation which might be non-toxic to cats.
Those that I picked for this publish are vegetation which might be comparatively frequent and simple to search out, survive effectively indoors, and might typically be saved alive by the brownest of thumbs.
Watermelon peperomia
Peperomia argyreia
This plant has an uncommon title, however when you see its waxy, striped leaves, you possibly can’t unsee the rind of a watermelon.
Whereas the watermelon peperomia might be grown indoors, it’s truly a tropical shrub that grows solely 8 inches tall. You may additionally be stunned to study that this watermelon-y plant is a member of the pepper household.
How one can take care of this plant
- Expose your watermelon peperomia to oblique mild.
- Water the plant when the highest few inches of soil are dry. Water much less within the winter.
- This plant doesn’t actually like moist soil, dry soil, or drafts.
- Don’t rush to repot this plant. It truly likes being pot-bound.
African violet
Streptocarpus
The African violet has fuzzy leaves which might be deeply veined and wrinkled, and five-petaled flowers that may be crimson or purple or any shade in between. Some African violet flowers have white markings on them, or might be edged in white.
How one can take care of this plant
- The African violet likes vivid, oblique mild.
- It enjoys a damp surroundings, like a toilet or a kitchen. It’s also possible to place your African violet pot on a tray with pebbles in it in order that it’s surrounded by water however isn’t standing in water.
- Water your violet effectively, however permit it to dry out in between waterings.
Swedish ivy
Plectranthus australis
Swedish ivy has shiny inexperienced leaves with adorably scalloped edges. There are variegated variations of Swedish ivy, too, through which the leaf colour is combination of inexperienced and white, or there’s white on the perimeters of an in any other case inexperienced leaf.
This can be a trailing plant that appears nice in hanging baskets.
How one can take care of this plant
- Swedish ivy is ideal for beginner indoor gardeners. Swedish ivy will thrive in all types of soil, and can tolerate a variety of sunshine circumstances. It isn’t as fussy as different vegetation about its watering schedule.
- It does choose vivid mild, nonetheless, and it’s greatest to water it when it feels dry.
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans
The parlor palm brings a contact of the tropics to no matter indoor house you set it. It’s leafy and plush and low upkeep, too.
This palm’s scientific title comes from the Greek phrase “chamai,” which means “of the bottom” and “dorea,” which means reward. Reward of the bottom – that’s what this plant is, particularly for the reason that parlor palm has been proven to take away indoor air pollution, too.
How one can take care of this plant
- You don’t should do an excessive amount of for the parlor palm. It prefers vivid, oblique mild, but it surely appears to thrive on dim mild and dry air, too. Not many vegetation do.
- Let the soil dry out between waterings. Fertilize your parlor palm, maintain it out of drafts, and repot it each different 12 months.
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
You most likely already know this plant effectively, even if you happen to didn’t comprehend it was cat-safe.
The spider plant is understood for its arching, striped, ribbon-y leaves, and the little child spider vegetation that appear to bungee leap from the primary plant.
Enjoyable truth in regards to the spider plant: it’s associated to asparagus!
This plant appears to be like equally enticing in an strange pot, or a dangling basket the place the spiderettes can actually dangle.
How one can take care of this plant
- That is an adaptable plant, and somewhat neglect received’t kill it (ask me how I do know).
- It prefers medium mild ranges and it grows effectively in moist soil, though it might tolerate somewhat dry soil if you happen to overlook to water it. Water much less within the winter.
- You can begin new vegetation from every tiny plantlet that the primary plant produces.
Child rubber plant
Peperomia obtusifolia
Child rubber plant has shiny, thick, inexperienced leaves and it produces tiny white flowers. It’s good for small areas because it tends to remain compact, but it surely has been identified to develop as much as two toes tall.
This plant doesn’t ask for a lot: somewhat mild, somewhat water, and also you’ve received somewhat little bit of the jungle in your personal home.
How one can take care of this plant
- The newborn rubber plant likes low to average mild.
- Water it as soon as per week or as soon as each two weeks, however then let it dry out earlier than watering it once more.
Bromeliad
Guzmania
Probably the most shocking truth about bromeliads is that they’re a part of the pineapple household! Additionally they develop their very own water tanks.
There are a lot of bromeliad species they usually’re all somewhat totally different. Some want full solar, others want shade. However all of them have arching leaves with an enormous, showy flower within the heart referred to as a bract.
Simply because the flower begins to wilt, you’ll see bromeliad “pups” beginning to pop up across the vegetation base. You may develop all new bromeliads from these infants.
How one can take care of this plant
- You’ll have to analysis the precise selection that you need to know whether or not to maintain this plant within the solar or shade.
- The central “tank” in the midst of the plant ought to be saved stuffed with water, and you need to permit some water to movement over the tank right down to the roots.
- You may simply spray the entire plant with water every day, or simply add a number of tablespoons to the tank when the soil begins to dry out.
Burro’s tail
Sedum morganianum
The burro’s tail is an enchanting succulent with plump little blue-green, torpedo-shaped leaves. The stems can develop as much as 24 inches in size, making them excellent for a dangling basket.
The one drawback of holding burro’s tail with cats is that the leaves do break off simply. So, whether or not this plant thrives in your home is as much as your cat.
The excellent news is that the fallen leaves might be rooted till your entire home is stuffed with burro’s tail vegetation.
Notice that simply because this plant is non-toxic to cats, does not meant that every one succulents are non-toxic to cats.
How one can take care of this plant
- Burro’s tail enjoys a number of mild. Hold it close to a window, if you happen to can.
- It additionally perfers a shallow pot and dry soil. Let the soil dry out fully between waterings.
Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura
This beautiful plant actually folds itself up at night time to “sleep.” The folding of the leaves is alleged to resemble praying palms, thus the title.
One other uncommon function of the plant the way it varieties new leaves. Child leaves seem as rolled tubes, which ultimately unfurl into full-sized leaves.
Magic methods apart, this can be a stunning houseplant with fishbone-patterned veins on colourful leaves.
How one can take care of this plant
- The prayer plant likes average mild and barely moist soil. It would tolerate low mild.
- Hold it evenly moist all through the rising season, however permit the soil to dry out a bit in winter.
- For additional humidity, maintain the plant standing on a tray of moist pebbles.
Cash plant
Pachira aquatica
Indoors, the cash plant appears to be like like another houseplant. However open air, in the correct circumstances, cash plant can develop as much as 30 toes tall! Don’t fear, although: indoors, your cash plant received’t develop greater than six to eight toes excessive and you may prune yours to maintain it sufficiently small for perching on a windowsill.
Most cash vegetation purchased within the retailer have braided stems. The plant doesn’t develop naturally this fashion. The stems are braided as seedlings as a result of some folks consider the braiding locks in good luck. In Feng Shui, which is the traditional Chinese language artwork of putting objects in an surroundings to create concord and stability, the braided cash plant is believed to create optimistic power within the residence.
The draw back of braiding (and holding a cash plant indoors) is that it’s unlikely to flower as it’d if saved in its pure form and open air.
How one can take care of this plant
- Present oblique solar or a mixture of solar and shade.
- Hold the potting soil moist.
Moth orchid
Phalaenopsis
The outline of this ethereal flower is within the scientific title: “phalaina” means moth in Greek, and “opsis” means look. This flower appears to be like like a moth on the wing.
You’ll benefit from the long-lasting flowers in your moth orchid – some blooms final a number of months! They arrive in a variety of colours, from white, to pink, yellow, and purple, and a few are even noticed or striped.
How one can take care of this plant
- Moth orchids get pleasure from vivid, oblique mild.
- Water completely each week, till water runs by means of the drainage holes in your pot. Attempt to maintain the soil (or plant medium) moist however not soggy and by no means dry.
Polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachaya
It’s onerous to consider the polka dot plant is even actual. The oval-shaped leaves on this plant are actually dotted throughout with colour: rose, pink, or white. It truly additionally grows flowers, however they’re small, and never almost as charming because the polka dot plant’s riotous leaves.
How one can take care of this plant
- This plant could be a little fussy about daylight. It enjoys filtered vivid mild, however an excessive amount of may cause the leaves to crinkle and too little may cause the leaves to fade.
- Hold the soil moist however not soggy, watering when the highest inch of soil feels dry.
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera
The Christmas cactus is a succulent plant. It has thick, fleshy stems which might be segmented and superb, brightly coloured flowers that final for weeks. Flowering usually peaks in December, thus the title.
Probably the most superb factor in regards to the Christmas Cactus is that it might reside for greater than 100 years! Higher designate a guardian in your will.
How one can take care of this plant
- Your Christmas cactus will get pleasure from vivid, oblique daylight. An east-facing window is greatest, permitting the plant to get pleasure from mild mild with out getting scorched by the solar.
- This plant likes excessive humidity. Contemplate holding the pot on a tray stuffed with pebbles and water.
- Your watering schedule ought to change with the seasons. Water often in spring and summer time, holding the soil moist. Water much less in autumn, till flower buds begin to kind, after which water often till they start to fade. After flowering, give the plant somewhat relaxation from a lot watering, letting the soil dry out somewhat.
Boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis
First, a phrase about ferns. All true ferns are non-toxic to cats. However simply because a plant is named a “fern” doesn’t imply it’s a real fern. Asparagus fern is just not a real fern, for instance, and it’s extremely poisonous to cats.
Persist with a Boston fern, then, for the cats’ sake. It’s a lush, low-maintenance plant that can make you’re feeling such as you’re residing within the Amazon jungle. Plus, it helps take away indoor air pollution. This plant is a winner.
Fast word: there are spores on the underside of the leaves of a Boston Fern. They appear like little brown or black dots which might be simply mistaken for bugs or illness, however they’re only a pure a part of this plant.
How one can take care of this plant
- Hold this plant in oblique mild, in a heat room: 60 to 70 levels Fahrenheit.
- The Boston fern likes excessive humidity. Place it close to a toilet or kitchen, or put the pot on a tray of moist pebbles.
- Mist continuously, and by no means permit the soil to dry out.
- Water rather less in winter.
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Daybreak LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who all the time appears to have somewhat pet hair in her keyboard. Her weblog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians higher perceive and take care of the particular beings they share their lives and houses with. Her cat-products enterprise, Cat in the Box, sells stunning, well-made, and award-winning merchandise that she designed to satisfy the organic wants of cats.
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FOOTNOTES
“Toxic Crops.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/w. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/
UF/IFAS Extension Gardening Options, gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/
