The list
Cat-safe plants — the complete ASPCA list.
22 houseplants and herbs that are non-toxic to cats per the ASPCA. Every entry is sourced and reviewed.
Yes — there are plenty of cat-safe plants. The ASPCA maintains a list of plants that are non-toxic to cats, and the 22 plants below are the most popular and most search-tested entries on that list. Each one has its own page with ASPCA citation, care instructions, and notes on what happens if your cat does decide to chew.
If you are setting up a household with a cat, the safest approach is to assume every plant is toxic until you have checked the specific Latin name on the ASPCA list. Common names are unreliable (see Bird of Paradise vs. Mexican Bird of Paradise for one example). The list below is the start — for the full database including toxic plants you must avoid, see the library.
How we verify. Every plant on this list has been checked against the ASPCA Animal Poison Control plant database. If an entry is ambiguous, missing, or uses a common name shared with a toxic species, we say so on the species page rather than guess.
SafeAfrican Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Compact rosettes with year-round colour — without poinsettia sap or lily renal toxin. The ASPCA lists African violet as non-toxic to cats.
SafeAreca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
Yes — the areca palm is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists Dypsis lutescens as non-toxic. It is one of the best large statement plants for a cat home, with only mild upset if a cat eats a lot of frond.
SafeBamboo
Phyllostachys aurea
Yes — true bamboo is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) as non-toxic. The catch is the name: "lucky bamboo" and "heavenly bamboo" are different, toxic plants.
SafeBasil
Ocimum basilicum
Yes — basil is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists Ocimum basilicum as non-toxic. A cat that nibbles a leaf is fine; the only caveat is the usual mild upset from eating a lot of any plant.
SafeBoston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
A classic bathroom fern with arching fronds and no toxic compounds. Cats may chew it; the plant may suffer — but the cat will not.
SafeBromeliad
Bromeliaceae
Yes — bromeliads are safe for cats. The ASPCA lists bromeliads as non-toxic. The whole family — Guzmania, Neoregelia, Aechmea, Tillandsia — is cat-safe, with only mild upset if a cat eats a lot.
SafeCalathea
Calathea orbifolia
Painted leaves and nyctinastic movement without a toxic compound. The ASPCA lists calathea as non-toxic to cats — a rare tropical that matches philodendron's look safely.
SafeCast-Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Dark glossy leaves that survive neglect and dim rooms — without a toxic compound in the leaf. The ASPCA lists cast-iron plant as non-toxic to cats.
SafeCatnip
Nepeta cataria
Yes — catnip is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists Nepeta cataria as non-toxic. The famous "high" is harmless and short-lived; overindulgence at most causes mild, temporary tummy upset.
SafeChristmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii
Segmented stems and winter blooms without euphorbia sap or lily toxins. The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to cats — the holiday plant worth keeping.
SafeHaworthia
Haworthia attenuata
Rosette succulents with striped leaves — the ASPCA lists haworthia as non-toxic to cats. The closest safe substitute for aloe on a sunny sill.
SafeOrchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Phalaenopsis orchids bring long-lasting blooms without lily toxicity. The ASPCA lists orchid as non-toxic to cats — a safe centrepiece for cat households that still want flowers indoors.
Cat-safe plants — common questions
What plant is 100% safe for cats?
No plant is “100% safe” in the sense that a cat eating a kilogram of it would feel nothing — fibre alone causes vomiting in any animal. But the ASPCA non-toxic list contains plants with no recognised toxic principle, meaning a normal sample-bite produces no poisoning. Spider plant, Boston fern, African violet, and orchids are among the most widely owned cat-safe houseplants.
What plants do cats love that are safe?
Catnip is the headline cat attractant — non-toxic and actively enjoyed by most cats. Spider plants have a mild attractant effect too (similar to a catnip-lite high). Cat grass (oat, barley, or wheatgrass) is non-toxic and often used as a redirection plant for cats that chew houseplants.
What is the most popular cat-safe houseplant?
By search volume, spider plant tops the list, followed by Boston fern and areca palm. All three are ASPCA non-toxic and easy to grow indoors.
Are succulents safe for cats?
Some are, many are not. Haworthia is ASPCA non-toxic. Jade plant, aloe vera, and kalanchoe are popular succulents that are toxic to cats. Always check the Latin name before assuming a succulent is safe.