Cat-Safe Houseplants: 12 Plants You Can Keep Around Cats (and 5 to Avoid)

Quick answer: Plenty of houseplants are genuinely safe around cats, like spider plants, calathea, and areca palm. But a small group, especially true lilies, are dangerous enough that "just watch them" isn't good enough. Here are 12 cat-safe houseplants and 5 to keep out of the house entirely, based on ASPCA toxicity classifications.

I'm Apollo. My sisters Lila and Phoebe are cats, and cats being cats, they investigate every new plant that comes through the door, usually by knocking it over first and sniffing it second. Most houseplants are fine for that. A few are not, and one group in particular, true lilies, can be fatal to a cat in a way most people don't expect. Here's the honest list.

12 houseplants safe for cats

1. Spider Plant

Considered non-toxic by the ASPCA. Spider plant contains mild compounds chemically similar to opioids, which can make a cat act briefly "high" or vomit if they eat a lot. Not dangerous, just worth supervising if your cat is obsessed with it.

2. Boston Fern

Non-toxic and an easy pick for a cat household. Boston fern is one of the safest, no-asterisk houseplants you can bring home.

3. Calathea

Non-toxic. Calathea and the rest of the prayer-plant family are considered pet-safe across the board.

4. Parlor Palm

Non-toxic, and one of the recommended pet-safe palms if you want something taller. See the parlor palm page for details.

5. Areca Palm

Non-toxic. Areca palm (also sold as golden cane palm) is another safe, full-sized option.

6. Haworthia

Non-toxic. If your cats like knocking succulents off windowsills, haworthia is a safe one to lose to gravity.

7. Echeveria

Non-toxic. Most rosette-forming echeveria succulents are pet-safe.

8. Money Tree

Non-toxic. Money tree (Malabar chestnut) is a popular, safe choice for a taller indoor plant.

9. Cast Iron Plant

Non-toxic, and true to its name it's nearly impossible to kill. Cast iron plant tolerates low light and neglect, and it's safe if your cat takes a bite.

10. Chinese Money Plant

Non-toxic. Chinese money plant (the round-leafed "UFO plant") is safe around cats.

11. Hoya

Non-toxic, which surprises some people given how much cats like to chew on trailing vines. Hoya (wax plant) is safe either way.

12. Orchid

Non-toxic. The common Phalaenopsis orchid sold at most grocery stores is safe for cats to be around.

5 houseplants to avoid completely if you have a cat

1. Is Easter Lily Toxic to Cats?

Yes, and this is the one that matters most. Every part of an Easter lily, including the pollen and even the vase water, can cause acute kidney failure in cats within 24 to 72 hours. This applies to true lilies broadly, including tiger, stargazer, Asiatic, and Oriental lilies. Any suspected exposure in a cat is a same-day emergency vet visit, even before symptoms show up. Dogs are typically fine with only mild stomach upset from the same plant, this danger is specific to cats.

2. Is Daylily Toxic to Cats?

Yes. Despite being a different genus from true lilies, daylily carries the same acute-kidney-failure risk in cats. Treat it exactly like an Easter lily: emergency vet visit for any exposure, don't wait for symptoms.

3. Is Sago Palm Toxic to Cats?

Yes, severely. Sago palm is toxic in every part, with the seeds most concentrated, and can cause vomiting and liver failure. It's one of the most dangerous common houseplants for any pet, cat or dog.

4. Is Pothos Toxic to Cats?

Yes. Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Rarely life-threatening, but unpleasant enough to keep out of reach.

5. Is Dumb Cane Toxic to Cats?

Yes. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) has the same calcium oxalate crystals as pothos, causing oral burning, drooling, and vomiting, with swelling possible if a cat chews a larger amount.

If you think your cat ate something toxic

Not sure what's on your windowsill?

Lily look-alikes and calla lilies and peace lilies all get confused with each other, and the difference matters here. Plant Doctor lets you snap a photo of any houseplant and get a straight answer on whether it's safe around cats and dogs. It's free, no account needed.

If your cat has a stressful vet visit or a scare like this, a covered, secure spot to decompress in helps a lot of cats settle back down, like a CalmCave hooded cat bed. It won't replace the vet, but it gives them somewhere to hide while they recover.

Frequently asked questions

Are true lilies really that dangerous to cats?

Yes, more than almost any other common houseplant. Every part of a true lily, including pollen and vase water, can cause acute kidney failure in a cat within 24 to 72 hours. Any suspected exposure needs a same-day emergency vet visit, even with no symptoms yet.

What houseplants are completely safe for cats?

Spider plant, Boston fern, calathea, parlor palm, areca palm, haworthia, echeveria, money tree, cast iron plant, Chinese money plant, hoya, and orchid are all considered non-toxic by the ASPCA.

My cat chewed on a lily, but seems fine. Do I still need a vet?

Yes. Kidney damage from lily exposure can be underway before any symptoms show up. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 the same day, don't wait for signs of illness.

Is pothos as dangerous to cats as it is to dogs?

About the same. Pothos causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting in both cats and dogs from insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. It's rarely life-threatening, but it's still worth keeping out of reach.

Keep your corner calm, and keep the lilies out of the house entirely.