10 Cat-Friendly Indoor Plants to Brighten Your Home
Indoor plants add greenery, flowers, and vibrant life to your home. Whether you prefer bold blooms, tall silhouettes, or striking foliage, there are plenty of choices. However, if you have cats, plant selection becomes more important. Cats tend to chew on leaves, and many indoor plants can be harmful. Using the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant list as reference, we’ve curated a collection of cat-friendly houseplants. These plants are generally safe — but if your cat is actively chewing on them, it’s still best to place them out of reach, as even non-toxic plants may cause mild stomach upset when eaten in large amounts.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
This beautiful cactus is known as the Christmas cactus because it blooms around the holiday season. It’s generally non-toxic to cats, though it may still cause mild stomach upset if nibbled. In its native environment, it grows in shaded, humid forests. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Flowers appear in red, white, pink, sometimes purple or yellow. A pebble tray filled with moist stones underneath the pot can help raise humidity.
Bloom time: November–January
Size: 45 × 45 cm
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The money tree stores water in its trunk, so be careful not to overwater. It’s believed to bring good luck, which explains its popularity. It’s quite easy to care for — water when the top 2 inches of soil dry out, and mist every few days. Place it in bright, indirect light.
Size: 120 × 50 cm
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston fern ranks among NASA’s top 10 air-purifying plants and makes an excellent indoor choice. Native to tropical South America, it prefers warmth and high humidity without direct sun. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist it regularly.
Size: 90 × 90 cm
Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum)
This graceful fern has blue-green fronds and stays attractive year-round. It thrives in humid bathrooms, but if that’s not possible, mist regularly and keep the soil moist — though never waterlogged.
Size: 90 × 40 cm
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
This easy-care plant thrives in bright areas. Its round, coin-shaped leaves — up to 12 cm across — give it the nickname “pancake plant.” Water only when the soil dries out.
Size: 30 × 30 cm
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’)
The spider plant is beloved for being beginner-friendly. If you want something a bit different, try the ‘Bonnie’ variety, known for its curly leaves. It’s drought-tolerant and easy to propagate. It’s generally safe for cats, but if your cat starts chewing on it, place it higher up to avoid stomach discomfort.
Size: 40 × 60 cm
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
This delicate fern is perfect for steamy bathrooms. It has elegant foliage and fine arching stems. If your home isn’t humid, mist the plant regularly. Keep the soil moist and place it in bright, indirect light.
Size: 50 × 40 cm
Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
Enjoy the exotic beauty of moth orchids, which bloom year-round. They thrive in humid spaces like bathrooms or kitchens and are relatively easy to care for. Keep them in rooms above 15°C (59°F).
Bloom time: All year
Size: 70 × 40 cm
Haworthia Fasciata (Haworthiopsis fasciata)
This succulent resembles aloe (which is toxic to cats), but Haworthia is completely pet-safe. It’s often sold under names like “Alba.” Double-check labels to avoid confusing it with similar-looking species. Do not overwater, and place it in bright, indirect light.
Size: 20 × 20 cm
Calathea Sanderiana (Goeppertia sanderiana)
Also called the striped calathea, it has bold, eye-catching leaves with purple undersides. It prefers warm rooms and bright, indirect light. Mist every few days and water weekly, or wait until the top 2 inches of soil dry out.
Size: 60 × 60 cm
Final Tips for Cat-Friendly Indoor Plants
These pet-safe houseplants bring beauty all year and make excellent indoor companions. To keep them healthy, water weekly in summer once the topsoil dries, and reduce watering in winter as growth slows. Hold off on fertilizing during cold months.
There are many more pet-friendly plant options beyond this list. If the plant you're looking for isn’t included here, check the ASPCA website or other reliable platforms to confirm whether it's safe for cats.
