The Cat-Safe Houseplant Table
New cat, new plants, and a little bit of panic? Totally normal. A lot of the most popular houseplants are not great for cats, and the internet does not always agree on which ones. So we put 61 common houseplants in one table and checked every plant against at least two independent sources: university extension services, veterinary references and peer-reviewed research.
Safe 25 plants. Not known to be toxic to cats.
Toxic 34 plants. Can make cats sick. A few are emergencies.
Caution 2 plants. Sources disagree or data is thin.
Two plants are emergencies, not just tummy aches. True lilies (including daylilies) can cause kidney failure in cats from a tiny amount, even pollen or vase water. Sago palm can cause liver failure. If your cat gets into either one, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.
Get the printable fridge sheet (PDF)Browse pet-safe plants
How to use this table
- Check the botanical name, not just the common name. "Lily" and "palm" cover very different plants. A peace lily is not a true lily, and a sago palm is not a palm. The plant tag or your receipt usually lists the botanical name.
- Tap a column header to sort, or use the buttons to show only safe, caution or toxic plants.
- Safe does not mean snack. Any plant can upset a cat's stomach if they eat a lot. Rinse new plants and keep fertilizer out of reach.
- Toxic plants can still live with you if they are truly out of reach, like a high shelf your cat cannot jump to or a room the cat does not use. Lilies and sago palms are the exception. Skip them in a cat home.
- Print the fridge sheet so anyone shopping or bringing flowers over can check fast.
The Cat-Safe Houseplant Table
| Plant | Safe for cats? | If eaten | Light | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
African violet Streptocarpus ionanthus (Saintpaulia) |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | Keep lightly moist, water the soil not the leaves | Moderate |
|
Bird's nest fern Asplenium nidus |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium to bright indirect | Keep lightly moist, water around the center not into it | Easy |
|
Boston fern Nephrolepis exaltata |
Safe | Non-toxic. Expect no more than a mild tummy upset. | Medium to bright indirect | Keep evenly moist | Moderate |
|
Bromeliad Guzmania spp. and other Bromeliaceae |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | Keep the soil barely moist | Easy |
|
Calathea (Medallion, Orbifolia, Dottie) Goeppertia spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium indirect | Keep lightly moist, use filtered water | Fussy |
|
Cast iron plant Aspidistra elatior |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Low to medium indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Chinese money plant Pilea peperomioides |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Christmas cactus Schlumbergera spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. No sharp spines. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Echeveria Echeveria spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright, direct sun | Sparingly, let it dry fully | Moderate |
|
Goldfish plant Nematanthus gregarius |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Moderate |
|
Hoya (wax plant) Hoya carnosa |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | Let the soil dry between waterings | Easy |
|
Maidenhair fern Adiantum spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium to bright indirect | Never let it dry out | Fussy |
|
Moth orchid Phalaenopsis spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | When the bark mix is nearly dry | Moderate |
|
Nerve plant Fittonia albivenis |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium indirect | Keep evenly moist | Moderate |
|
Parlor palm Chamaedorea elegans |
Safe | Non-toxic. Fronds can tempt cats, so a nibble is likely and harmless. | Low to bright indirect | When the top 1 to 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Peperomia (baby rubber plant, ripple, watermelon) Peperomia spp. |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top half of the soil is dry | Easy |
|
Polka dot plant Hypoestes phyllostachya |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | Keep evenly moist | Easy |
|
Ponytail palm Beaucarnea recurvata |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright, some direct sun | Soak, then let it dry out fully | Easy |
|
Prayer plant Maranta leuconeura |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium indirect | Keep lightly moist | Moderate |
|
Rabbit's foot fern Davallia fejeensis |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium to bright indirect | Keep lightly moist | Moderate |
|
Rattlesnake plant Goeppertia insignis (Calathea lancifolia) |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium indirect | Keep lightly moist | Moderate |
|
Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum |
Safe | Non-toxic. Cats love chewing the leaves, and a big snack can cause a bit of vomiting. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Staghorn fern Platycerium bifurcatum |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect | Soak the mount when it feels light | Moderate |
|
Swedish ivy Plectranthus verticillatus (P. australis) |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Zebra haworthia Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haworthia) |
Safe | Non-toxic. | Bright indirect to some direct | Every 2 to 3 weeks, let it dry fully | Easy |
|
Coffee plant Coffea arabica |
Toxic | Leaves and berries contain caffeine, which is toxic to cats. Vomiting, restlessness, fast heartbeat. | Bright indirect | Keep lightly moist | Moderate |
|
Money tree Pachira aquatica |
Caution | Low risk. Eating it may cause mild stomach upset, vomiting or drooling. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Tradescantia (inch plant, wandering dude) Tradescantia zebrina |
Caution | Sap can irritate skin and mouth; may cause mild stomach upset. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Alocasia (elephant ear, African mask) Alocasia spp. |
Toxic | Painful mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. | Bright indirect | Keep lightly moist, never soggy | Fussy |
|
Aloe vera Aloe vera |
Toxic | Vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy; urine may turn reddish. | Bright, some direct sun | Every 2 to 3 weeks, let it dry fully | Easy |
|
Amaryllis Hippeastrum spp. |
Toxic | Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling; the bulb is the most toxic part. | Bright, some direct sun | Sparingly until new growth, then when the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Anthurium (flamingo flower) Anthurium spp. |
Toxic | Mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting. | Bright indirect | When the top 1 to 2 inches are dry | Moderate |
|
Arrowhead plant Syngonium podophyllum |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Asparagus fern Asparagus setaceus / A. densiflorus |
Toxic | Vomiting and diarrhea, mostly from the berries; sap can irritate skin. Not a true fern. | Bright indirect | Keep lightly moist | Easy |
|
Begonia (including polka dot begonia) Begonia spp. |
Toxic | Drooling and vomiting; the roots are the most toxic part. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Moderate |
|
Bird of paradise Strelitzia spp. |
Toxic | Mild vomiting and drowsiness, mostly from seeds and fruit. | Bright, some direct sun | When the top 2 inches are dry | Moderate |
|
Calla lily Zantedeschia spp. |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. Not a true lily. | Bright indirect | Keep evenly moist while growing | Moderate |
|
Chinese evergreen Aglaonema spp. |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, swelling, vomiting. | Low to medium indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Corn plant (Janet Craig, Lemon Lime) Dracaena fragrans |
Toxic | Vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite; cats may show dilated pupils. | Low to medium indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Croton Codiaeum variegatum |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, vomiting, diarrhea; sap can irritate skin. | Bright, some direct sun | Keep lightly moist | Moderate |
|
Cyclamen Cyclamen persicum |
Toxic | Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea; the tuber is the most toxic part. | Bright indirect, cool room | Water from below when the top inch is dry | Moderate |
|
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) Dieffenbachia spp. |
Toxic | Intense mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting; swelling can affect breathing. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Dragon tree Dracaena marginata |
Toxic | Vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite; cats may show dilated pupils. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
English ivy Hedera helix |
Toxic | Vomiting, belly pain, drooling, diarrhea. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Fiddle leaf fig Ficus lyrata |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting; sap can irritate skin. | Bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Fussy |
|
Golden pothos (and Neon, Marble Queen, N'Joy) Epipremnum aureum |
Toxic | Mouth pain, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting. | Low to bright indirect | When the top 1 to 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Heartleaf philodendron Philodendron hederaceum |
Toxic | Mouth pain, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. | Low to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Jade plant Crassula ovata |
Toxic | Vomiting, lethargy, wobbly walking. | Bright, some direct sun | When the soil is fully dry | Easy |
|
Kalanchoe Kalanchoe spp. |
Toxic | Vomiting and diarrhea; large amounts can affect heart rhythm. | Bright, some direct sun | When the soil is fully dry | Easy |
|
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant, Thai Constellation) Monstera deliciosa |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Peace lily Spathiphyllum spp. |
Toxic | Mouth pain, drooling, vomiting. Not a true lily, so not linked to kidney failure. | Low to medium indirect | When the leaves start to droop slightly | Easy |
|
Philodendron (Birkin, Congo Rojo, Pink Princess) Philodendron spp. |
Toxic | Mouth pain, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Easy |
|
Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima |
Toxic | Mild: drooling and vomiting from the milky sap. Rarely serious. | Bright indirect | When the top inch is dry | Moderate |
|
Rubber plant Ficus elastica |
Toxic | Mouth and stomach irritation, vomiting; sap can irritate skin. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
Sago palm Cycas revoluta |
Toxic | EMERGENCY: vomiting, then liver failure. Seeds are the worst part. See a vet right away. | Bright, some direct sun | When the top 2 inches are dry | Moderate |
|
Snake plant Dracaena trifasciata (Sansevieria) |
Toxic | Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea. | Low to bright indirect | Every 2 to 4 weeks, let it dry fully | Easy |
|
Song of India Dracaena reflexa |
Toxic | Vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite. | Bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Moderate |
|
String of pearls Curio rowleyanus (Senecio) |
Toxic | Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling; sap can irritate skin. | Bright indirect | When the soil is mostly dry | Moderate |
|
True lilies and daylilies (Easter, tiger, stargazer, Asiatic) Lilium spp. and Hemerocallis spp. |
Toxic | EMERGENCY: kidney failure. Even pollen, one leaf or vase water can kill a cat. See a vet right away. | Bright, some direct sun | Keep evenly moist | Moderate |
|
Umbrella tree (schefflera) Heptapleurum arboricola (Schefflera) |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. | Medium to bright indirect | When the top 2 inches are dry | Easy |
|
ZZ plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
Toxic | Mouth irritation, vomiting, diarrhea. | Low to bright indirect | Every 2 to 3 weeks, let it dry fully | Easy |
Last reviewed 2026-11-09. This table is general information, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat ate something toxic, call your vet.
Why these plants are marked Caution
- Money tree (Pachira aquatica): UT and UGA list it as non-toxic. NC State rates it Low severity and notes mild to moderate stomach upset in cats, mainly linked to the seeds, which indoor plants almost never make. Treat it as low risk, not risk free.
- Tradescantia (inch plant, wandering dude) (Tradescantia zebrina): UT lists Tradescantia as a plant to avoid (dermatitis) and NC State flags it as a low severity problem for cats. Some general houseplant lists (UConn, UNL) call it non-toxic for people. Sources disagree on how much it matters, so treat it as an irritant.
Cat-safe plants to start with
New to plants and to cats? These are forgiving, cat-safe and easy to find: spider plant, parlor palm, peperomia, hoya and zebra haworthia. Want more ideas? Read our guide to pet-safe houseplants for cats, or find a match for your light with the plant quiz.
Cat and houseplant FAQs
What is the most dangerous houseplant for cats?
True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis). A small bite of a leaf, a lick of pollen off their fur or a drink of vase water can cause kidney failure in cats. Sago palm is a close second because it can cause liver failure. If your cat touches either one, call your vet right away, even if your cat seems fine.
Is a peace lily a real lily?
No. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) and calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are not true lilies. They still hurt: they contain crystals that make the mouth burn and swell, so cats drool and vomit. They are not linked to the kidney failure that true lilies cause, but they are not cat-safe either.
Are snake plants safe for cats?
No. Snake plants contain saponins that can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhea. It is usually mild, but it is not a cat-safe pick. A parlor palm or a cast iron plant gives a similar low-light, low-effort vibe without the risk.
Are spider plants safe for cats?
Yes. Spider plants are listed as non-toxic by every source we checked. Cats often love chewing the leaves, though, and eating a lot of any plant can lead to a little vomiting. Hang it up if your cat treats it like a salad bar.
What should I do if my cat eats a toxic plant?
Call your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital right away. Have the plant's name ready (a photo or the plant tag helps) and a rough idea of how much your cat ate and when. Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Does 'safe' mean my cat can eat as much as it wants?
Not quite. 'Safe' means the plant is not known to be poisonous to cats. Any plant can still upset a cat's stomach if they eat a lot, and plants can carry fertilizer or pesticide residue. Rinse new plants and keep fertilizer away from curious paws.
Why are some plants marked Caution?
We mark a plant Caution when reputable sources disagree or when good data is missing. Right now that is 2 plants: money tree and tradescantia. The notes below the table explain each one.
Can I share or embed this table on my site?
Yes, please do. Use the embed code at the bottom of this page. It includes a credit link back to this page, which keeps the version your readers see linked to the latest review.
How we checked
Every plant was checked against at least two independent sources from the list below. When reputable sources disagreed, or when a plant only had one solid source, we marked it Caution or left it off the table until better data exists. We wrote every description in our own words. Source codes for each plant are listed in the downloadable data file.
- University of Tennessee Extension. Growing Indoor Plants with Pets (W1128C), Campbell and Bumgarner, 2025. uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2025/10/W1128C.pdf
- NC State Extension. Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, individual plant records (cat toxicity tags and poison fields). plants.ces.ncsu.edu/
- MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck Veterinary Manual in the US). Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals, professional version, reviewed 2023, updated 2024. www.msdvetmanual.com/veterinary/toxicology/poisonous-plants/houseplants-and-ornamentals
- Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (peer reviewed). Milewski LM, Khan SA. An overview of potentially life-threatening poisonous plants in dogs and cats. 2006;16(1):25-33. doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2005.00151.x
- University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Poisonous Plant Garden community pamphlet. vetmed.illinois.edu/poisonplants/wp-content/uploads/sites/186/2024/10/Updated-Community-Booklet.pdf
- University of Georgia Extension. Keep Your Pets Safe Around Plants (Circular 1245), Jackson and Bauske, 2022. fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1245/keep-your-pets-safe-around-plants/
- University of Georgia Extension, DeKalb County. Pet Safe Plants to Grow Indoors this Fall and Winter, Mehalek, 2025. site.extension.uga.edu/dekalb/2025/11/growing-pet-safe-plants-this-fall-and-winter/
- UF/IFAS Extension, St. Johns County. Hort 14: Houseplants, Pets, and Poison. sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/st-johns/horticulture/pdf/Hort-14--Houseplants,-Pets,-and-Poison.pdf
- Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Center. Pet-Safe Indoor Houseplants: What's Safe for Cats and Dogs; How to Grow and Care for Bird's Nest Fern (2026). hgic.clemson.edu/pet-safe-indoor-houseplants-whats-safe-for-cats-and-dogs/
- Cats Protection (UK feline welfare charity). Dangerous plants and flowers for cats, with safe alternatives. www.cats.org.uk/dangerous-plants
- Agriculture Victoria, Animal Welfare Victoria (Australian state government). Toxic plants for cats, updated 2025. agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/cats/health/toxic-plants-for-cats
- UConn Home and Garden Education Center. Houseplants: Safe and Toxic Varieties (general list for people and pets; used for ZZ plant and for comparison). homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/houseplants-safe-and-toxic-varieties/
- Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira (peer reviewed). Pierre Vitoria A, Mazzafera P. Caffeine degradation in leaves and fruits of Coffea arabica and Coffea dewevrei. 1998;33(12):1957-1961. doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab1998.v33.5022