cat peeking through a houseplant — Image from July 2023’s Featured Plant Person Photographed, owned and copyrighted by Lindsey, Lucid Linds Photography & Nashville Plant People

Let’s chat about our beloved cats and our houseplants, shall we?

Cats are the coolest creatures, if you ask me. With their playful antics and affectionate purrs, they bring so much joy to our lives. If you're a plant lover and a proud cat owner, finding the perfect balance between houseplants and your feline friend's safety can be a bit tricky. But fear not! In this blog, we'll explore the wonderful world of houseplants and cats, sharing which houseplants are safe and which ones you may want to avoid. And while we're at it, let's take a moment to support one of my favorite local cat adoption organizations, Nashville Cat Rescue. We’ve adopted all of our cats from this rescue. I love going to The Catio too. Here you can see which kitty you bond with.

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Now, before we dive into the details, as an avid plant collector and long-time cat owner I’d like to make this totally clear: just because a plant is labeled as "toxic" doesn't always mean it's going to be deadly your beloved kitty. It simply means that if your curious cat decides to nibble on the leaves, it may experience some tummy troubles like an upset stomach or a bout of vomiting. Thankfully, most cats learn from their houseplant encounters and won't be inclined to make it a recurring munch-fest. However, there are plants that can kill.

So First Up, Three Deadly Plants:

Here's a serious warning, dear cat owners. Keep these three plants far, far away from your feline companions. They are notorious for being highly toxic and can pose a significant threat to their well-being or cause death.

Oleander: Beautiful, but deadly, this plant should be avoided at all costs. Most people keep them outside, but some bring them in for the winter. Don’t do it if you have pets and young children, as they are harmful to humans too.
Lilies: They can cause kidney failure in 3 short days if even just a small amount of pollen is ingested.
Sago palm: These plants contain a toxin called Cycasin, which can lead to severe liver failure within a few days of ingestion. It's important to note that all parts of this plant are toxic, and if not promptly treated, ingestion can have fatal consequences. Stay away!

Toxic Plants That Many Plant People Own, but Rarely Require Medical Treatment:

Again, while toxic can mean if your pet eats a large amount that they may need medical attention, or worse it could be deadly, it is super rare that a bite or two means more than drooling, puking and feeling sick for a little bit with most cats and these popular houseplants. The most important thing you can do is pay attention to your cat. Some cats are more curious than others, some may not get enough exercise or have enough things to keep them entertained, so they may be more inclined to get into your houseplants. I’ve learned that cats do better in pairs. They keep each other entertained, and are less likely to get into your houseplants. We adopted sister kittens 3 years ago, they keep each other entertained, they have a fur-ever companion, and also keep each other’s ears clean! Adopting two cats is seriously the way to go, believe it or not. Now, here are some very popular houseplants that plenty of people have in their homes, who also have cats.

Poinsettias: Popular plants during the holidays, and widely known as “poisonous”, but one small bite won’t send your cat to the ER.
Philodendron: Yes, this includes many different types, including our beloved Monsteras. Philodendrons possess a significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals. In the event of ingestion, these plants can cause mouth burns, excessive drooling, and vomiting. Most cats won’t ever do that again.
Dieffenbachia: A tongue-twister to pronounce, also known as dumb-cane, this plant can that can twist your cat's tummy if chewed upon. You too, you don’t want to get this sap in your eyes, it can cause temporary sight loss.
Snake Plants: Not slithery, but still a potential cat calamity. I will say this though, in the 18+ years that I have had at least one snake plant and at least one cat, I’ve never had any chomp a leaf on a snake plant. That’s not to say your cat won’t, so be smart and pay attention to how curious your own cat is.
Jade: A very common succulent. Cats chewing on these succulents can lead to vomiting, depression and loss of balance. Again, I have 3 cats, and a large Jade plant and they’ve never touched it, but they have each other for entertainment, plus lots of toys.
Aloe: A houseplant many people have and its known for useful for medicinal qualities. While the inner gel of aloe is generally considered non-toxic and has been utilized for treating scrapes and burns in humans, it's important to refrain from using it on pets. Chewing on the plant can result in unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, so it's best to keep it out of your pet's reach.
Asparagus Fern: Also referred to as the foxtail fern or emerald fern, these plants are popular choices for plant people. However, it's important to note that contact with these plants can lead to skin irritation for pets. Additionally, if consumed, the berries can induce symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. You may want to keep this one hanging or on a shelf up high.
Syngonium: One of my favorite plants. Signs and symptoms include irritation, discomfort, and inflammation in the mouth, lips, and tongue, as well as excessive drooling, swallowing difficulties, and vomiting in your cat. In rare cases, there may be breathing difficulties caused by swelling.
Birds of Paradise: This popular and exotic plant is moderately toxic. The seeds of its flowers contain toxic tannins, and its leaves contain hydrocyanic acid. Just keep that in mind if you have a cat that can resist.
Schefflera: Also known as the umbrella tree, this plant too, can be toxic if enough is chewed causing irritation to any tissues the toxic compounds inside come in contact with.

Photographed, owned and copyrighted by Lindsey, Lucid Linds Photography & Nashville Plant People

Now for Some Totally Cat-Friendly, No-Need-to-Worry Houseplants:

One of the many reasons shopping at our local plant shop is your best bet is because many of them label their pet safe houseplants. Also, you’re more likely to be able to ask a question and learn from the people who work in plant shops too. In contrast, shopping at a big box store, if you actually find an allusive worker, many can’t offer you any guidance, have you seen how they overwater all of their houseplants? It’s a tragic place to be if you’re a houseplant or a newbie plant parent. Many times people think they just don’t have what it takes to keep a plant alive, when in reality you may have just started with an unhealthy plant to begin with. Ok, back to cats and plants, this topic is for another blog.

Spider Plants: Your cat might get a little high off them, and they might be enticed to play with their dangling leaves and pups that hang off of them, but they can chomp away and be totally fine.
Christmas Cacti: Festive and feline-friendly, these plants can brighten up your holiday season sans worry.
Calathea: This plant adds a touch of tropical beauty to any cat-friendly home. It’s not really a beginner plant though, these plants can be tough to keep happy.
Peperomia: These are pretty easy to care for and common to find in local plant shops in many varieties as well.
Fittonia: Every part of this plant is safe and non-toxic, so if your cat nibbles on a leaf, it won't cause any harm. Though, it may cause you stress, they are known for being very dramatic when the need a drink.
Hoyas: Also known as wax plants, are non-toxic to cats, making them a safe choice for pet owners.
Burro’s Tail: A fun plant that looks great to trailing over the edge of its pot, its a kitty-safe succulent.
African Violets: While cats can technically munch on these without getting sick, it's worth noting that most feline friends don't have a strong preference for them to begin with. However, these are delicate plants to keep.
Parlor Palm: Non-toxic to cats, but could be toxic to your sanity. Not many plant people are successful when trying to keep these plants thriving indoors.
Pilea: The most popular of these is the pilea peperomioides, or Chinese Money Plant, easy to grow, easy to propagate and not harmful to your cat. I love this plant too.

So, there you have it, plant lovers and cat aficionados! Remember, with a little knowledge and a dash of caution, you can create a harmonious space for both your leafy friends and your curious kitties. And while you're embracing this delightful mix, don't forget to lend a helping paw to our local cat adoption organizations. They work tirelessly to find loving homes for our furry companions. Happy planting and cat cuddling! We even have a plant shop in Nashville, TN who always has kitties up for adoption from the Nashville Cat Rescue. Let me know in the comments if you wanna know what plant shop it is. I’m off to water my many “toxic” houseplants that my 3 cats couldn’t care less about.

Peace, Plants, and Cats,

Lindsey

Nashville Plant People 🪴

Cats and Houseplants: The truth about living with both.

Let’s chat about our beloved cats and our houseplants, shall we?

So First Up, Three Deadly Plants:

Toxic Plants That Many Plant People Own, but Rarely Require Medical Treatment:

Now for Some Totally Cat-Friendly, No-Need-to-Worry Houseplants:

When to Repot Your Houseplant: A Nashville Plant People Green Thumb Guide