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House Plants 101 for Cat Owners

If you live with a curious cat, you might feel that your indoor gardening has to be limited to silk plants to keep your furry friend from accidentally ingesting something toxic. However, many plants are safe to grow around cats! Once you learn which plants are toxic and which are not, you can confidently go plant shopping again and fill your house with beautiful greenery.

Cute cat licks its mouth after eating grass.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Best Indoor Plants for Cat Owners

a ginger cat next to a clump of cat grass.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

From African violets to zebra plants, numerous indoor plants can be safely grown in a home with cats. In addition to reading up on safe house plants for cats, you will also want to learn how to keep the most curious of cats from harming the plants too!

Bookmark this list of best indoor plants for cats so you can easily reference it when plant shopping.

What Plants Are Poisonous to Cats?

Bright red kalanchoe flowers.
Image credit: Backyard Garden Lover.

Next, it’s helpful to know which plants are poisonous to cats, so you can avoid introducing them to your home. It can also be beneficial to understand why cats dig in and nibble on house plants in the first place. Having a list of toxic plants handy as well as a few tricks to keep cats from bothering plants will help keep your feline friends safe.

This guide to poisonous plants for cats is a great place to start.

Are African Violets Poisonous to Cats?

Striking purple African violets with a white edge.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

African violets are mesmerizing house plants with their velvety leaves and violet blooms. But are they feline-friendly flowers? Yes! African violets are generally considered safe house plants to have around cats. However, keep in mind that there may be toxins in the potting soil, and ingesting too much of any non-foods can upset a cat’s stomach.

Learn more about African violets and cats to keep both plant and feline healthy and happy.

Are Snake Plants Poisonous to Cats?

Potted snake plants.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Ranging from small potted plants suitable for a shelf or table to tall floor plants, snake plants are often placed in locations easily accessible to cats. Unfortunately, these common plants can cause some significant digestive problems for cats if ingested.

Take a look at symptoms of snake plant poisoning in cats and what to do if your cat takes a bite out of a snake plant.

Are Spider Plants Poisonous to Cats?

spider plant flower.
Image Credit: Depositphotos

Spider plants are popular among even the most beginner house plant enthusiasts, with their full, strappy foliage and dangling, giftable pups. Cats also find them irresistible, partially due to the grassy texture and partially because the plants are mildly hallucinogenic. For the sake of both the cats and the plants, you might want to avoid spider plants, or at least keep them out of reach.

Learn more about the effects of spider plants on cats.

Are Pothos Poisonous to Cats?

Heart shaped yellow and green variegated pothos leaves.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos

Another very common house plant, pothos have long, trailing vines that can easily dangle within reach of a curious kitty. Although the leaves have an unpleasant taste that usually prevents cats from taking more than one little nibble, ingesting too much can cause significant problems.

Read more about phothos and cats so you can identify symptoms and know what to do in case of poisoning.

Are Succulents Poisonous to Cats?

potted succulents.
Image credit: Depositphotos.

Succulents are popular indoor plants because they require little care and come in many fun shapes and textures. However, some of them are toxic to cats. One of the most common, aloe, can cause digestive problems and skin irritation. Hens and chicks, on the other hand, are on the safe list.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the most popular safe and toxic succulents for cats.

Houseplants for cat owners.

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