As an animal lover myself, I understand the concern about keeping your furry friends safe while starting an indoor herb garden. Choosing cat-friendly plants is crucial since animals have different digestive systems than humans and can be harmed by even small amounts of toxic plant material. Cats, in particular, are notorious for their curiosity and love to investigate everything, including plants that might be harmful to them.
It’s not just a matter of selecting edible herbs like oregano that are safe for human consumption but potentially deadly for cats. The risk is even greater since cats weigh less than humans and can become ill after consuming a small amount of toxic plant material.
Fortunately, there are many cat-safe plant options available that you can enjoy without worrying about harming your pets.
We’ve compiled a list of common cat-friendly plants, including flowers, herbs, and other indoor plants that are perfect for home decor. Our list also includes information on maintenance to help you choose the best plants for your specific indoor environment.
In addition to our selection of safe plants, we’ll also provide a brief list of common indoor plants that are toxic to cats.
If you’re a cat owner, it’s essential to steer clear of these plants to ensure the safety and well-being of your pets.
Keeping Your Kitty Safe
When selecting plants for your home, prioritize those that aren’t treated with chemicals. If you’re unsure about a particular plant’s safety, consult with a knowledgeable employee or conduct further research to ensure it’s cat-friendly. Additionally, double-check the variety of the plant to avoid mistakenly purchasing one that’s toxic to cats. Not all plants are created equal when it comes to feline safety; some may be more harmful than others if ingested.
To err on the side of caution, opt for only cat-safe plants to decorate your space. When potting up your new greenery, choose planters with sturdy bases to prevent them from toppling over in case your curious kitty decides to jump or knock them around. It’s also essential to consider that what may be safe for cats might not be suitable for other pets or even humans.
To assist you in making informed decisions, we’ve included the scientific names of cat-friendly plants to eliminate any potential misidentification. Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your feline friends and the plants that surround them.
Cat-Safe Plants
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltabostoniensis)
This charming plant doesn’t require direct, intense sunlight to thrive. Instead, it flourishes when placed in an area with indirect sunlight. A key aspect of its care is maintaining consistent moisture levels in the soil – just remember to keep it hydrated and your frilly-leaved friend will be happy and healthy.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
This charming plant thrives in environments with high humidity levels and abundant natural light. It’s particularly fond of the conditions found in our bathroom, where it receives the perfect amount of sunlight. What’s more, its non-toxic nature makes it an excellent choice for households with feline friends.
Rabbit’s Foot Fern (Davallia spp.)
The curious- sounding ‘Furry Rhizome’ plant thrives in environments characterized by abundant humidity and soft, filtered light. Its unique feature is the development of furry, rhizome-like structures at its base, which give it a whimsical appearance.
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
A unique characteristic of this plant is its ability to fold its leaves when the sun goes down, earning it its common name. With an array of leaf shapes, sizes, and hues to choose from, it’s a visually appealing addition to any space. To thrive, it requires indirect sunlight and well-draining soil conditions.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
When introducing your feline friends to the world of houseplants, consider starting with a low-maintenance species that can thrive in a cat-filled home. The perfect candidate for this is a plant that’s not only easy to care for but also surprisingly resilient. Place it in an area receiving indirect sunlight and maintain regular watering, ensuring the pot drains properly to prevent waterlogged soil and root rot.
Lady Palm (Rhapis flabelliformus)
For optimal growth, place your lady palm away from direct sunlight and replant it into a container with excellent drainage every few years. As this plant can grow quite large over time, it’s essential to accommodate its needs by providing sufficient space for its roots to expand.
Velvet Plant (Gynura aurantica)
While not as well-known as some other cat-safe plants, the velvet plant is a unique addition to any feline-friendly space. Its remarkable feature is its velvety, deep purple foliage that provides a soft, tactile experience for your curious cat to explore. This low-maintenance plant requires infrequent re-potting and can thrive in shaded areas, making it an excellent option for those who want a stylish yet easy-to-care-for addition to their home.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
When it comes to growing a cat-friendly herb, this particular variety is a popular choice among feline enthusiasts. To cultivate optimal growth, it’s essential to provide it with an abundance of sunlight and ensure that the soil drains well. For the most impressive results, consider placing it in a sunny window where it can thrive.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is another herb that thrives in sunny conditions and prefers a warm environment. As such, avoid placing it too close to poorly insulated windows during winter months when temperatures may drop. To keep your basil healthy, ensure you provide consistent moisture by watering it regularly. However, be mindful of overwatering by using a pot with adequate drainage holes, as basil can’t tolerate waterlogged soil.
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
When cultivating chervil, it’s essential to provide a suitable environment. A container is an excellent option, but ensure you select one that offers ample space for the herb to grow comfortably after transplantation. Frequent watering is crucial, and a location with partial shade will also help the plant thrive.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
This care information suggests that the plant thrives best in conditions with direct sunlight, although it can tolerate partial shade as well. To keep it healthy, make sure to water it thoroughly whenever the top layer of its soil feels dry to the touch.
Dill (Anethum graveolena)
Dill is a sun-loving herb that requires direct sunlight to flourish. As it matures over time, it tends to grow quite tall. For this reason, gardeners have two options: use the entire crop within a year and replant anew, or transplant it outdoors after its first year of growth has passed.
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro holds a special place in my heart as an herb that’s both versatile and pet-friendly. This popular ingredient is a staple in many of my recipes, and its ease of cultivation only adds to its appeal. To thrive, cilantro requires a spot with full sun exposure and soil that drains well.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is incredibly forgiving when it comes to sunlight, thriving under direct sun and tolerating brief dry spells if you accidentally forget to water. To add a touch of whimsy to your indoor space, I find that pruning it into a miniature tree shape can be quite visually appealing.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm’s versatility makes it a great option for indoor cultivation. Its ability to flourish in partial shade and adaptability to container growing make it an ideal choice for those with limited outdoor space. Moreover, the plant has specific requirements when it comes to its soil conditions, preferring a well-drained and consistently moist environment.
Canna Lily (Canna generalis)
The Canna Lily has a unique set of requirements when it comes to its environment. It thrives in warm temperatures and needs plenty of water to survive. In fact, this plant is so thirsty that it’s often referred to as a ‘water-loving’ species. When considering adding the Canna Lily to your garden or indoor space, it’s essential to note that it should not be confused with other types of lily plants.
Some varieties can be toxic to cats and other pets, making the Canna Lily a safer and more attractive option for those looking to bring some beauty and charm into their homes.
Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)
To ensure the optimal health and appearance of your tropical indoor palm, proper watering is crucial. Be mindful of overwatering, which can lead to root rot, especially during the winter months when air tends to be drier. Additionally, provide humidity by misting or using a humidifier if necessary. Furthermore, it’s essential to supply this plant with bright light to promote healthy growth.
African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
Enliven your space with the charming African violet, an ideal choice for adding a pop of color to a bare mantle or desk. While it can thrive in conditions with reduced sunlight, this finicky plant is quite particular about its watering needs, requiring a balance between moisture and drainage to avoid drying out or becoming too waterlogged.
Ice Plant (Lampranthus piquet)
This versatile plant can thrive both outdoors and indoors when grown in a pot. To encourage its growth, ensure the soil drains well and provide it with ample bright light.
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila elegans)
When incorporating orchids into floral arrangements or keeping them as houseplants, it’s essential to prioritize feline safety. While cats may be fascinated by these delicate blooms, their toxicity poses a risk. To ensure a harmonious coexistence with your whiskered friends, carefully select flowers and plants that are non-toxic to cats when used in the same arrangement.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
This stunning, cat-friendly plant demands attention to its unique growing conditions. To thrive, it needs bright, indirect sunlight and consistent moisture levels – but beware of overwatering! Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
Indoors, this cat-safe plant is surprisingly simple to cultivate. In just one year, mine has thrived under my care, with no fuss or finicky attention required. I’ve found that placing it in a spacious vase filled with a modest amount of water and decorative rocks is the perfect setup. It’s been a low-maintenance yet high-reward addition to my indoor space, earning me countless compliments from friends and family.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)
For a tropical getaway-inspired aesthetic, look no further than the stunning hibiscus plant. However, to coax these vibrant blooms from your new addition, you’ll need to provide optimal growing conditions. First and foremost, ensure it’s placed in a spot that receives an abundance of direct sunlight, as this is crucial for its overall health and flowering potential. Additionally, maintain a humid environment by placing the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles or using a humidifier nearby.
Bottle Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
When considering bringing a care info palm into your home, keep in mind that it’s a slow-growing plant that can thrive indoors for a period before reaching its full size. To promote healthy growth, make sure to provide your palm with consistently moist soil and bright light exposure.
Hens and chicks (Echeveria elegans)
The term ‘hens and chicks’ encompasses a range of succulent varieties, known for their adaptability to thrive in subpar soil conditions. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when watering these plants, as they can quickly become susceptible to overwatering if not done carefully.
Christmas Orchid (Cattleya trianaei)
While orchids may not be the most beginner-friendly plants, they do offer a sense of accomplishment when successfully cared for. One such variety is particularly noteworthy for its cat safety – a rare quality among flowers! To get the best results from this majestic bloom, it’s essential to provide indirect sunlight and maintain a consistent watering schedule.
Aim to water once a week during most seasons, but be prepared to scale back slightly in the winter months when plants naturally enter a period of dormancy.
Garden Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
You can easily bring a pop of color into your home by growing marigolds indoors for a brief period. This method allows you to enjoy these vibrant blooms without posing any harm to your feline friends, Whiskers included. As an added bonus, the blossoms are edible and can be consumed. To ensure the health and happiness of your plants, simply provide them with direct sunlight and water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus humilis)
To ensure optimal growth and blooming, this low-maintenance cat-friendly plant requires a delicate balance of conditions. On one hand, it thrives in moist soil that’s consistently dampened by occasional watering. On the other hand, it needs to bask in bright light for at least some part of the day. While it can tolerate partial shade, neglecting to provide direct sunlight will significantly hinder its ability to produce blooms.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
For those areas in your home that receive minimal natural light, ZZ Plant is a great option. This low-maintenance plant thrives in shaded conditions and can tolerate low light levels. As the amount of light it receives decreases, its growth rate will slow down. However, it’s still important to be mindful not to overwater, as this can be detrimental to the plant’s health.
Avoid these common plants
When it comes to decorating your home with plants, it’s crucial to prioritize your feline friend’s safety. Unfortunately, many common household plants can be toxic to cats if ingested. To help you avoid any potential harm, we’ve compiled a list of plants that are best kept out of reach from your curious kitty.
The following plants have been known to cause adverse reactions in cats:
Aloe (Aloe vera)
Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Birds of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)
Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.
)
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Daffodil (Narcissus spp)
Dahlia (Dahlia species)
Dracaena (Dracaena spp. )
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Caladium (Caladium hortulanum)
Iris (Iris species)
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Cutleaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa)
Dracaena (Dracaena spp.
)
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)
Fern Palm (Zamia)
Fiddle Leaf (Philodendron bipennifolium)
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
While it may seem like a long list, there are many cat-safe plants out there that can add beauty and freshness to your home without putting your kitty’s life at risk.
We’d love to hear from you – do you have any favorite cat-friendly plants in your home? Have you ever had any close calls with your cat getting into a toxic plant? Share your experiences and tips with us in the comments below.
