Discover a variety of cat-friendly plants! From spider plants to orchids, find the purrfect addition to your home.
Cats and houseplants can be a tricky combination. While we love adding greenery to our homes, many common houseplants are toxic to our feline friends. But don’t worry – I got you!
There are plenty of beautiful and safe options for cat owners. Here’s a list of some popular cat-friendly plants, along with their care requirements, to help you create a beautiful, harmonious space for both you and your cat.
(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

My Top Cat-Friendly Plant Picks
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This easy-to-care-for plant boasts long, slender leaves and produces “spiderettes,” or baby spider plants, that dangle from the mother plant. To learn more about spider plant care, read this article that I wrote.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F
- Humidity: Moderate humidity
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season (spring and summer).

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
True to its name, this plant is incredibly tough and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, making it perfect for beginner plant parents.
- Light: Low to medium light; tolerates low light well
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 60-75°F
- Humidity: Tolerates average humidity
- Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-3 months during the growing season.

American Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
This charming plant has thick, glossy leaves that come in various colors, including green, variegated, and burgundy.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F
- Humidity: Moderate to high humidity
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

Easy Cat-Friendly Plant: Peperomia
This diverse genus offers a wide range of leaf shapes, colors, and textures, with something to suit every taste.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F
- Humidity: Moderate to high humidity
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
Isn’t this plant cool? To learn how to grow watermelon peperomia, check out this article.

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Known for their striking foliage and the way their leaves fold up at night like praying hands.
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix with added peat moss
- Temperature: 65-85°F
- Humidity: High humidity
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.

Haworthia
These succulents come in a variety of fascinating shapes and textures, adding a touch of the exotic to your home.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining cactus and succulent mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F
- Humidity: Low humidity
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize once or twice during the growing season with a diluted cactus fertilizer.

Cat-Friendly Plants: Calathea
These stunning plants are prized for their vibrant, patterned leaves that often resemble works of art.
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix with added peat moss
- Temperature: 65-85°F
- Humidity: High humidity
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer

Cat-Friendly Plants: Hoya (Wax Plant)
These vining plants produce clusters of fragrant, waxy flowers that are truly captivating.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 60-80°F
- Humidity: Moderate humidity
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
To learn more about how to grow hoya plants, read this article that I wrote.

Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
This unique plant has round, coin-shaped leaves that bring a touch of whimsy to any space. To learn more about how to care for pilea plant, read this post.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 60-75°F (15-24°C)
- Humidity: Moderate humidity
- Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
These charming plants produce clusters of velvety flowers in a variety of colors. Who can resist a cat-friendly plant with pretty blooms? For more information about african violet care, read this article I shared.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: African violet potting mix
- Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Humidity: Moderate humidity
- Watering: Water when the soil surface is dry to the touch, avoiding getting water on the leaves.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
These elegant plants are known for their exquisite flowers that bloom for weeks on end. Orchids are so fun to grow and one of the prettiest cat-friendly plants out there. If you are new to them, I wrote a post that provides orchid care for beginners.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Orchid bark mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C)
- Humidity: High humidity
- Watering: Water when the potting mix is almost dry, allowing excess water to drain completely.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced orchid fertilizer.

Bromeliad
These tropical plants come in a wide array of colors and shapes, with many producing striking flower bracts.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C)
- Humidity: Moderate to high humidity
- Watering: Water when the soil surface is dry to the touch, and fill the central cup of the plant with water.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Training Your Cat to Stay Away from Your Plants
Even with non-toxic plants, it’s still a good idea to discourage your cat from nibbling on them. Here are a few tips:
- Provide Alternatives: Offer your cat plenty of cat-friendly toys and scratching posts to keep them entertained. Consider growing cat grass for them to nibble on.
- Make Plants Less Appealing: Spray plants with a diluted citrus solution (cats dislike the smell of citrus), or place citrus peels in the pots. You can also use a commercial cat deterrent spray.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward your cat with treats and praise when they stay away from your plants.
- Strategic Placement: Place plants in hanging baskets or on high shelves out of your cat’s reach. You can also use barriers like chicken wire or decorative fencing to protect your plants.

Final Thoughts About Cat-Friendly Plants
It’s been amazing to welcome a feline friend back into our lives after so many years! But with that furry joy came a new challenge: ensuring our home was safe for our sweet kitty. I was surprised to learn just how many of my beloved houseplants were potentially toxic.
We’ve been diligently working with our cat to teach him to leave the plants alone, and it’s been quite the journey. We started him off with a single, non-toxic spider plant, and he hasn’t shown any interest in it at all! This success has encouraged us to slowly introduce other plants from my collection, one by one, carefully observing his behavior and ensuring his safety.
This experience highlighted the importance of doing your research before you grow to keep family pets safe. Knowing which plants are toxic can prevent potential harm and give you that peace of mind.

For more information about plants that are safe for cats, please see the ASPCA’s list here.
To drill down on houseplant care basics and growing an indoor garden that thrives, please read my articles:
- Easy Houseplants for Busy People: The Low-Maintenance Approach to Growing an Indoor Garden
- From Shop to Home: How to Acclimate Your Tropical Plants
- Stop Guessing and Master Watering Indoor Plants Like a Pro
- How to Revive Houseplants You Thought Were Goners
- Is Your Houseplant Getting Enough Light? Here’s How to Tell.
Thank you for visiting the blog today!
Enjoy your day! xo

