Houseplants That Are Actually Toxic to Cats (and What to Get Instead)

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I love plants and we live with two cats, which is exactly why I keep a list like this one. Before a new plant comes home, I check whether it’s actually pet-friendly, because some of the prettiest, most common houseplants can send an otherwise healthy cat to the emergency vet.

If you’re a cat owner, you know how this goes: You bring a plant home because it looked good in the store, and your cat walks straight over, sniffs it, and takes one investigative bite before you’ve even decided where to put it.

This is NOT the moment to learn the plant isn’t cat-safe.

None of this means you’re stuck in a plant-free apartment. It does mean you have to shop a little differently than someone whose roommates don’t climb the furniture, chew anything that dangles, drink out of the saucer, and investigate fresh potting soil like it’s hiding evidence.

Some plants are just mildly irritating to cats. A few are dangerous in very small amounts, and lilies are the one I’d put at the top of the list, because true lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure and even a tiny exposure is serious.

So the list matters, and it’s worth knowing before you’re standing in a plant shop guessing.

The one rule to start with

If you live with a cat who chews plants, treat “I’ll just keep it out of reach” as a temporary suggestion, not a safety plan. Cats jump, climb, find shelves, and reach places that make you wonder if your apartment came with secret architecture nobody told you about.

A plant that’s truly dangerous shouldn’t be in the house at all, high shelf or not. A plant that only causes mouth irritation or an upset stomach is more of a judgment call, especially if your cat is the persistent type.

The easiest version of all this is to start with non-toxic plants, then still be thoughtful about where they go, because your cat will investigate them no matter what. Even a safe plant can come back up if your cat eats enough of it.

The plants I wouldn’t keep in a cat home

This isn’t every plant that can cause a problem. It’s the common houseplants and gift plants worth knowing before one lands on your coffee table, usually as a present from someone who doesn’t have cats.

1. Lilies

Lilies are the one I’m strictest about, by a mile.

True lilies, including Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental, and daylilies, are extremely toxic to cats and are deadly. Cornell’s Feline Health Center warns that they can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in tiny amounts, and the ASPCA notes that every part of the plant is dangerous, including the pollen and the water in the vase. A cat can be poisoned just by getting pollen on their coat and grooming it off.

Because a lily really can be lethal (thousands of cats are poisoned by lilies each year, and vets estimate around 20% will die), I’m a fanatic about this one. I won’t let them anywhere near our home or our cats, and I’m the person speed-walking past the lily display at the grocery store. This isn’t a “keep it up high” plant. If you have cats, don’t bring a true lily into the house at all. End of story.

What to get instead

For something that flowers, a moth orchid, a bromeliad, or a Christmas cactus gives you color without the panic. You still don’t want any of them turned into a salad bar, but they’re a completely different risk category than lilies.

2. Pothos

Pothos is everywhere for good reason. It’s pretty, it trails, and it’s almost impossible to kill. It’s also not a great roommate for a cat.

Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which can irritate a cat’s mouth and digestive tract if they chew it. The ASPCA lists it, also sold as devil’s ivy, among the plants that reliably generate poison-control calls.

The frustrating part is that pothos is exactly the kind of plant a cat wants to mess with. It trails, it moves, it dangles, and it looks like a toy that also happens to photosynthesize.

What to get instead

A spider plant gives you the same leafy, trailing look and is on the ASPCA’s non-toxic list, though a cat who eats a lot of anything can still get a sour stomach. A hoya is another good swap, with thicker leaves that a lot of cats find less interesting to bat around.

3. Philodendron

Philodendrons are popular for the same reasons pothos is: attractive, leafy, hard to kill. They’ve got the same problem, too.

They also contain insoluble calcium oxalates, so a cat who chews one can end up with mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing. VCA lists philodendron among the common toxic household plants for pets. This covers a lot of varieties, so “it’s just some leafy tropical thing” isn’t enough to go on. You want the actual plant name.

What to get instead

Peperomia is my go-to swap here. Lots of varieties, glossy little leaves, the same small-space houseplant feeling, without the toxicity worry. A prayer plant works too if you like patterned foliage.

4. Monstera

Monsteras photograph beautifully. Those big split leaves make a room look instantly more put-together, which is why they show up in every apartment tour and influencer corner.

Your cat could not care less about your design plan.

Monsteras, including the Swiss cheese plant, contain insoluble calcium oxalates, and the ASPCA includes them on the list of plants that cause trouble for pets. A cat who chews one may drool, paw at their mouth, vomit, or have a hard time swallowing.

What to get instead

For height and a soft tropical look, a parlor palm gives you that “something green in the corner” effect without the toxicity. A calathea brings the drama too, though I’ll warn you it can be more high-maintenance than your cat, which is saying something.

5. Peace lily

Peace lilies show up as sympathy plants and as the go-to “it tolerates low light” recommendation. They’re easy to mix up with true lilies, but they’re a different kind of trouble.

A peace lily won’t cause the kidney failure that a true lily does, but it’s still toxic, again thanks to insoluble calcium oxalates. The ASPCA lists it among the usual poison-control offenders. A cat who chews one may drool, vomit, paw at their mouth, or just act miserable from the mouth irritation.

What to get instead

If you need something for lower light, a cast iron plant or a parlor palm both handle it. For a flower, a moth orchid is the safer pick.

6. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia goes by “dumb cane,” an old name that comes from exactly what you’d guess: it can irritate the mouth and throat badly enough to affect speech.

It’s loaded with insoluble calcium oxalates and can cause intense mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing. The ASPCA includes dumb cane on its list of problem plants for pets.

This is one I’d skip in a cat home, especially if your cat has ever looked at a leaf and thought, I should bite that.

What to get instead

A calathea or prayer plant gives you bold, patterned leaves that still look decorative and won’t punish a curious cat the same way.

7. Snake plant

Snake plants get marketed as the easiest, most indestructible plant you can own. That’s all great until your cat decides the tall upright leaves look extremely bite-able.

Snake plants, which you’ll also see sold as Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata, are toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists them as causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They’re not in the lily category, but they’re still not something I’d pick for a cat who chews.

What to get instead

For that upright, architectural shape, a cast iron plant is tough and low-maintenance. A ponytail palm also works, since it’s not a true palm and is considered non-toxic, though the long leaves are tempting, so placement still matters.

8. ZZ plant

ZZ plants survive low light, missed waterings, and general neglect, which makes them great for people and slightly risky for homes with a cat who nibbles.

Like pothos and philodendron, they contain calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and gut. The ASPCA includes ZZ plant on its problem list. A chewing cat may drool, vomit, or show signs of mouth discomfort.

What to get instead

A cast iron plant, parlor palm, or peperomia all give you the same low-effort plant without landing on the problem list.

9. Aloe vera

Aloe is sneaky because we file it under “soothing.” The clear gel goes on human sunburns, so it feels like it should be gentle all around.

For cats, it isn’t a great snack. VCA notes that the gel itself isn’t the main concern, but the white latex just under the skin of the leaf contains compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, with bigger ingestions causing more serious signs. Aloe also likes a sunny windowsill, which is already prime cat real estate. You can see where the conflict starts.

What to get instead

For the same succulent look, a haworthia or an echeveria works, but always confirm the exact plant before you buy, because some succulents are safe and some really aren’t, and the labels aren’t written for people trying to keep a cat alive. A Christmas cactus is another easy, sculptural option.

10. Sago palm

Sago palm is a hard no in my house, no exceptions.

Every part of it is poisonous to pets, and VCA notes the seeds are the worst of it. We’re talking severe liver damage, and it can be fatal. It sometimes gets sold as a tidy little indoor ornamental, which is part of the danger, because it doesn’t look as serious as it is.

What to get instead

If you want a palm, a parlor palm or areca palm gives you the look safely. Always check the exact name, because “palm” gets slapped on a lot of plants, and not all of them are actually safe.

11. Jade plant

Jade plants are those thick, glossy-leaved succulents that seem to live on every windowsill. They’re toxic to cats, too.

The ASPCA lists jade as toxic, and while the exact compound isn’t fully understood, ingestion can cause vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. The leaves are plump and very bat-able, so this is one I’d avoid if your cat likes to chew.

What to get instead

A haworthia, echeveria, or Christmas cactus covers the same succulent itch. Check the specific variety before it comes home.

12. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is the flowering succulent you see at the grocery store, the plant shop, and tucked into gift baskets. It’s compact, cheerful, and easy to set on a table.

It’s also toxic to cats. The ASPCA notes it contains compounds that can affect the heart in more serious cases, though most exposures show up as vomiting and diarrhea. It’s a good reminder that “small plant from the grocery store” and “safe for cats” aren’t the same sentence.

What to get instead

For a safer flowering plant, a moth orchid, an African violet, or a Christmas cactus all work.

A few safer plants to actually shop for

No plant is something you want your cat treating as a buffet. But these are the ones I reach for when I want something green and pretty and don’t want to think about it too hard.

Cat-friendlier houseplants to consider

• Spider plant.
• Parlor palm.
• Areca palm.
• Calathea.
• Prayer plant.
• Peperomia.
• Haworthia.
• Echeveria.
• Christmas cactus.
• Moth orchid.
• African violet.
• Cast iron plant.
• Ponytail palm.
• Boston fern.

What to do if your cat chews a toxic plant

If you know or even suspect your cat ate a toxic plant, call someone right away: your vet, an emergency clinic, or a pet poison hotline. Don’t wait for symptoms if it’s a lily, a sago palm, or anything else high-risk. With lilies especially, getting ahead of it early makes a real difference.

Have this ready when you call

• The plant name, if you know it.
• A photo of the plant.
• How much your cat may have eaten.
• What part of the plant they chewed.
• When it happened.
• Any symptoms you’re seeing.
• Your cat’s weight, age, and any medical history.

If you’re not sure what the plant is, bring a sample or take clear photos of the leaves, flowers, stems, and the pot label.

Symptoms worth a phone call

What you see depends on the plant, the amount, and your cat’s size and health. Call a vet if you notice:

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Drooling.
• Pawing at the mouth.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Loss of appetite.
• Lethargy.
• Weakness.
• Tremors.
• Seizures.
• Increased thirst or urination after possible lily exposure.
• Collapse.

Some of these are mild and pass with a little supportive care. Some are emergencies. The hard part is that you usually can’t tell which one you’re dealing with from the first symptom alone.

Living with plants and cats without losing it

Start by getting the truly dangerous plants out. Lilies and sago palms aren’t worth it in a cat home, and that’s the one place I won’t hedge.

Then think about your specific cat. If yours ignores plants entirely, you’ve got more room to keep low-risk ones placed carefully. If yours is Thelma-level curious and treats every new object as part of an ongoing personal research project, you need a stricter policy, and you probably already know it.

Placement helps, but it isn’t a force field. Hanging planters, high shelves, closed doors, and plant cabinets all cut down on access. None of them turn a dangerous plant into a safe one.

You can also give a determined chewer something better to do, like cat grass, cat-safe herbs, a puzzle feeder, or simply more play. Some cats chew because they like the texture, some are bored, and some are just doing cat things with no notes provided. That last category is large.

A plant setup that actually works

This is a reasonable way to build a collection in a cat home.

1. Remove true lilies, sago palms, and anything you know is highly toxic.
2. Look up every plant before you buy it.
3. Use the scientific name when you can.
4. Choose safer plants like spider plant, parlor palm, calathea, peperomia, and moth orchid.
5. Keep even non-toxic plants away from cats who chew heavily.
6. Use heavy pots that won’t tip easily.
7. Skip decorative moss, fertilizer spikes, and loose soil toppers that cats may dig in or eat.
8. Save your vet’s number and a pet poison hotline in your phone.

It’s less fun than impulse-buying a dramatic plant because it looked good under the store lights. It’s also a lot less stressful than standing in your kitchen at midnight trying to identify a half-chewed leaf.

A spider plant on a shelf. A parlor palm in the corner. A moth orchid on a table your cat hasn’t claimed as a launchpad. A little pot of cat grass that’s actually there to be chewed.

You can absolutely have a pretty home with plants and cats.

You just have to shop like someone’s going to bite the decor.