Cats can safely share their home with a wide range of green plants, as long as you choose species that are not toxic to them. Among the most cat-friendly houseplants are green palms such as the areca palm and pygmy date palm, the classic green plant Norfolk Island pine and the undemanding spider plant, which with its long, arching leaves often tempts the cat without posing a problem. If you want to give the cat something it is allowed to nibble on, cat grass is the safest and most obvious choice. Below you'll find a concrete overview of plants that cats can tolerate, and of the types you should keep away.
Which houseplants are safe for cats indoors?
Fortunately, several of the most popular houseplants are harmless to cats, even if the cat should happen to chew on a leaf. The spider plant (Chlorophytum) is a good example: it is hardy, easy to care for and often attracts the cat with its thin, hanging leaves, without giving cause for concern. The green houseplant Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria) and various true palms such as the areca palm and date palm are also known to be cat-friendly and give the home a lush look.
Among the soft, green plants, ferns such as hard fern and sword fern are a safe choice, just as the thick-leaved and undemanding plant should be distinguished from toxic namesakes - always keep in mind that it is the Latin species that determines whether a plant is safe, and not the common trade name alone. If you are in doubt about a specific plant, it is always wisest to look up the exact species or ask at the plant shop before it gets a spot on the windowsill.
Cat grass as a safe alternative to houseplants
If the cat has an urge to nibble on something green, cat grass is the best answer. Cat grass is typically sprouted grains such as wheat, barley or oats, and it is grown specifically to be harmless to cats. By putting out a pot, you give the cat a safe place to chew, and it often draws attention away from your other plants. Many cats seek out greenery quite naturally, and you can read more about that behaviour in the guide why cats eat grass, which explains what lies behind a cat's urge to grab a tuft of grass.
Cat grass is easy to grow indoors year-round and a good supplement if your cat otherwise doesn't go outside. It gives it a natural activity and a safe version of the green chewing experience it seeks out on its own.
Herbs and edible plants that cats can tolerate
A few culinary herbs are also harmless and may even suit the cat's taste. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the most famous: it is safe and triggers a brief, playful reaction in many cats. Catmint is also among the plants that cats can safely be around. Among common kitchen herbs, basil, thyme and parsley are normally considered harmless in the small amounts a cat might taste, but they should not make up a real part of the cat's diet.
It is worth remembering that even a harmless plant is not a meal. A cat is an obligate carnivore and gets its nutrition from animal ingredients, not from greenery. Green plants and herbs are, for the cat, a source of activity and a natural urge, while the actual nutrition must come from well-prepared cat nutrition. If you are in doubt about how best to compose the cat's diet around its natural needs, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutritional advisors are ready to guide you on feeding and nutrition by phone, chat and email.
Plants you should keep away from the cat
Just as important as choosing the right plants is knowing the ones you need to avoid. Lilies are among the most dangerous for cats, and this applies to both potted plants and cut bouquets - even pollen and water from a vase can be a problem. Popular houseplants such as peace lily (Spathiphyllum, which despite its name is not a true lily), dieffenbachia, philodendron, monstera and poinsettia are also among the plants that cats cannot tolerate. Among bulb and garden plants, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are well-known examples of plants that are toxic to cats.
If you suspect that your cat has eaten from a toxic plant, you should always contact your vet immediately. You can get a broader overview of what the cat should not come near in the articles what cats can't tolerate and what cats must not eat, which gather the most important things to watch out for in a home with a cat.
How to set up a green home with a cat
You don't have to choose between plants and a cat. Start by replacing the toxic plants with safe alternatives such as spider plant, palms, ferns or Norfolk Island pine, and put out a cup of cat grass so the cat has something it is allowed to nibble on. Place the plants you most want to protect out of reach, and be aware that curious kittens are often more inclined to taste everything than adult cats.
A good check before a new plant comes through the door is to look up its Latin species name, since the common name can cover both safe and toxic species. With the right choices you can have a lush, green home where both plants and cat thrive side by side, and where the cat has its own safe green plant to turn to when the urge arises.