20 SAFE PLANTS for CATS 🌿 For the Home and Garden

A cat’s nature makes them curious animals, often investigating new plants by sniffing and even biting them. To avoid health problems, this Animal Wise article provides a list of 20 safe plants to have together with cats.

Catnip or Catswort

If you’re looking for a plant which is not only non-toxic, but can help benefit your cat’s health, catnip is what you need. The Nepeta cataria, popularly known as catnip or cat’s wart, has an effect on cats we could classify as narcotic.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is another one of those plants which is safe for cats, but only to have in the home or garden for display. They are toxic to cats if ingested

and can cause diarrhea, lethargy, and depression, but it’s very uncommon they will be tempted to eat it. They are toxic to cats if ingested and can cause diarrhea, lethargy, and depression, but it is very uncommon they will be tempted to eat it. If so, you should remove it from the home.

Chamomile

Chamomile infusion can be used to help clean a cat’s eyes if applied topically and shouldn’t cause them distress. There is some evidence to suggest they might help against ticks, but results are inconclusive and they are unlikely to stop a tick biting. The plant is fine to have in the home.

Valerian

Catnip is used as a sort of tranquilizer for cats, but not all will respond to it. Valerian appears to have a similar effect for nervous or distressed cats. However, this does not negate the importance of finding the cause of anxiety and addressing it.

Parsley

If a little parsley is eaten by a cat, it should have no effect on them, but it cannot be kept in large amounts due to a link to light sensitivity.

Rosemary

Rosemary is non-toxic to cats and a lovely smell for humans, but most cats will ignore it.

Thyme

Thyme is another non-toxic plant for cats. There is some evidence to support antimicrobial effects, but how these work and in what way are inconclusive.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another plant which is toxic to cats when ingested in large doses.

The strong smell means they will usually reject it, so it is safe to have in small amounts.

Yellow palm

Yellow palm is one of the most common indoor plants to decorate homes for its beauty and simple care. In addition, it’s a non-toxic plant for cats. You can have it without worrying about whether your cat will suffer damage biting its leaves or rubbing against them.

Orchid

There are many types of orchid that exist and they are in high demand as decorative plants due to their extraordinary beauty. They are not toxic to cats, but many flowers can cause an upset stomach if eaten by them. If you have a cat which likes to nibble on flowers, keep orchids out of the way where they won’t be poisoned, but it might be best to keep them out of the way completely.

Do you fancy something else not on our list so far? Here are 10 others which are not toxic to cats either. They include dandelion, cat’s claw, calathea, basil, sage, bamboo, bottle palm, spider plant, maranta, fragaria, and the button fern.