15 Of The Safest Plants For Cats—And Which Ones To Avoid

Hailing from the same family as prayer plants, the stromanthe “trio star” (stromanthe sanguinea) thrives in very humid climates. Known for its distinctive long leaves that are colored various pink, white and green hues, this tropical houseplant thrives in medium-to-bright indirect light but can tolerate low light, as well. Water every one to two weeks, or when the soil is halfway dry.

“Just because a plant is nontoxic doesn’t mean your cats should be able to have access to it if they’re interested in chewing on plants in general,” says Favilla. She adds that she has one cat who loves to nibble on greenery and another with “zero interest” in it. Her advice is to act based on your individual pet—and if they do take a liking to plant-chewing, get them cat grass, such as this growing kit from Frisco. Once the edible grass has grown (in about four to six days), no further maintenance is needed, and your cat will have the benefit of adding fiber to their diet.

This assortment of small, cat-safe indoor plants features three of our favorites on this list: a money tree, a hoya tri-color plant and a small parlor palm. You can choose from eight ceramic color palettes, including the Evening Sky trio pictured above. The plants are relatively compact, making them suitable for apartment dwellers who crave greenery in their space but want to protect their curious cats.

The spider plant (Chlorophytum) is nontoxic to cats and grows beautifully as a hanging plant, far out of reach. It’s also a pretty easy plant to care for, able to tolerate a range of moisture, soil and light conditions. (In fact, the spider plant made our list of the best low-light indoor plants.) For best results, place in indirect light and water sparingly (you can water it more frequently when it matures).

What our experts say: Favilla tells us, “In my experience, these plants are exceptionally low maintenance. I’ve had them thrive all over my apartment. Just be prepared for lots of spider plant babies if you’ve got a healthy plant. While it’s fine to keep them on the main plant, you might need to water it a bit more so it’s not competing with the babies. They also make cute gifts when placed in mini glass vases.”

If you’re looking for a plant that makes a statement, check out the famous money tree (Pachira aquatica), known in East Asia as a symbol of luck and prosperity. Characterized by its bright green palmate leaves and chunky trunk, this cat-safe plant requires bright direct or indirect natural light. Money trees typically require watering when the soil is 50% to 75% dry, but Easyplant offers a unique self-watering system so you only have to do it once a month.

What our experts say: According to Favilla, “Its watering needs, in my experience, are pretty precise, so using a moisture meter for this one might be a good idea.”

The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) adds tropical flair to even the dreariest of spaces with its cheerful nontoxic fronds. (Those fronds have air-purifying qualities, too.) This easy-growing indoor plant is happiest in indirect sunlight and can tolerate low light; note, however, that it will get crispy in direct sun. With careful repotting, this little guy can grow well over 6 feet tall.

What our experts say: Favilla explains, “These are beautiful plants that are relatively low maintenance and a cute choice for dressing up your desk. Parlor palms do thrive in warm, humid environments, so consider misting your plant between waterings three or four times a week if humidity levels indoors are low.”

The dainty sweetheart hoya plant (Hoya kerrii “Variegata”) is so named for its variegated cream-and-white leaves that are shaped like little hearts. The heart-leaf hoya is relatively low maintenance, requiring moderate humidity and bright but filtered light. It’s a versatile houseplant that’ll appeal to most green thumbs due to its easy-care nature, charming aesthetic and small footprint.

Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) like this red variant are considered safe for cats, Cairns says. Their common name comes from how their broad oval leaves lift in the evening and lower in the morning. While prayer plants require a little extra care when it comes to watering, as well as a space with high humidity, this indoor variety thrives in a wide range of indirect light levels, from low to high.

Not to be confused for the money tree, the distinctive Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is also called the UFO plant due to its luminous, saucer-shaped leaves. It’s also a very easy plant to care for, requiring water once a week (or when the soil is dry) and bright, indirect sunlight. It also thrives in warm temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Our favorite part: This cat-safe option is also called the Friendship Plant because it produces a lot of “pups,” or baby plants—simply cut the pups at the base of the stem and plant them in fresh soil for easy sharing.