Houseplants that are safe for cats
Spider plant, Boston fern, parlour palm, calathea, peperomia and ten more houseplants are non-toxic to cats. Pothos, monstera and snake plant are toxic, and lilies can kill a cat.
Updated 12 October 2026. How we write these pages
Fine even in low light
They cope with a corner away from the window or a north-facing room.
Spider plant
Deep shade or partial shade
Moderate
Cast iron plant
Deep shade or partial shade
Easy
Parlour palm
Deep shade or partial shade
Easy
Boston fern
Deep shade or partial shade
Easy
Bright light, no direct sun
Near a window, out of the midday sun.
Kentia palm
Bright, no direct sun
Easy
Calathea
Partial shade
Moderate
Peperomia
Bright, no direct sun
Easy
Hoya
Bright, no direct sun
Moderate
Nerve plant
Bright, no direct sun
Easy
Money tree
Partial shade
Moderate
Christmas cactus
Partial shade
Easy
Sunny spots
On the sill of a window that gets a few hours of sun.
Haworthia
Partial shade or full sun
Easy
Echeveria
Partial shade or full sun
Easy
Burro’s tail
Partial shade or full sun
Easy
Ponytail palm
Full sun
Easy
Questions about plants and cats
Are lilies dangerous to cats?
Yes, very. Every part of a lily is toxic to a cat, including the pollen it licks off its fur and the water in the vase, and a small amount is enough to damage its kidneys. That goes for true lilies and for daylilies. If you think your cat has touched one, call your vet straight away, without waiting for it to look unwell.
My cat chews the leaves. What can I do?
Keep toxic plants in a room your cat can’t get into, and leave only the ones on this page within its reach. Even a non-toxic plant can make a cat sick if it eats a lot of it, so if that happens often, talk to your vet.
Are pothos, monstera and snake plant toxic to cats?
Yes. Pothos and monstera irritate the mouth and tongue, so the cat drools and may vomit. Snake plant causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. A peace lily irritates the mouth in the same way as a monstera, even though it isn’t a true lily.
Which succulents are safe for cats?
Haworthia, echeveria and burro’s tail are non-toxic. Aloe, jade plant and kalanchoe are toxic.
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