18 cat-friendly house plants

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Haworthia fasciata, Zebra plant. Getty Images.

If you're looking for large cat-friendly house plants, why not try a kentia palm or parlour palm? Or perhaps a hanging plant like string of hearts to improve the look of a shelf? There are also lots of easy-to-grow house plants that are also cat friendly, from spider plant to Chinese money plant and even pineapple plant. Whatever type of house plant you're drawn to, we've plenty of options to suit you and your cat.

These plants are generally safe for your cat – but if you do see your pet nibbling, it's a good idea to keep the plant out of reach, as even 'cat-safe' plants can cause a stomach upset if ingested in too great a quantity.

Pineapple plant (Ananas comosus)

This one isn't toxic to cats, but don't eat the pineapple as it will be far too bitter when grown as a house plant. The fruit, which is held on a stem in the centre of the plant, is surrounded by attractive, sword-like leaves, making it a striking house plant to have in your home. It does best in a warm, bright spot as it's native to tropical South America.

H x S: 90cm x 90cm

Buy Pineapple plant from Crocus

Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' — *Aspidistra elatior* 'Variegata'

The cast iron plant is an easy-care plant that’s perfect for beginners. Keep it out of direct sun and it won't need much watering. This attractive plant, with big oval leaves, can cope with some shade and will brighten a dull spot indoors.

H x S: 60cm x 60cm

Buy Aspidistra elatior from Crocus

Boston fern

Boston fern is in Nasa's list of top 10 air-purifying plants, so this is a great house plant to add to your home. It’s native to tropical areas of South America, so needs a warm spot out of direct sun. Keep the compost moist and mist regularly to keep humidity levels high.

H x S: 90cm x 90cm

Calathea orbifolia

Calathea orbifolia is known as the prayer plant, because its leaves fold up at night, like someone putting their hands together in prayer. It has beautiful round leaves with silvery green stripes. Place it somewhere with bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist. Mist regularly.

H x S: 75cm x 40cm

String of hearts

Place string of hearts on a shelf or in a hanging basket where its long stems can trail over the side. Named for its heart shaped leaves, it’s a great choice for a bright spot out of direct sun. Bear in mind, though, that those trailing stems will be irresistible to your cat, who may climb up to get at them.

H x S: 1m x 10cm

Buy String of Hearts from Thompson & Morgan

Chinese money plant

Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is a low-maintenance house plant that will do well in a place that gets bright light. It’s also known as pancake plant due to its round leaves, which can reach 12cm across. Water when the soil dries out.

H x S: 30cm x 30cm

Buy Chinese money plant from Thompson & Morgan

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)

This attractive cactus is known as the Christmas cactus because it flowers over the festive season. It's generally safe for cats, but can cause stomach upsets, so move it out of the way if you spot any nibbling. In its native habitat it grows in shady, humid forests, so it will thrive if its compost is kept moist, but not soggy. The flowers are usually red, white or pink, but can also be purple or yellow. Stand on a saucer of wet gravel to increase humidity around your plant.

Flowers: November to January
H x S: 45cm x 45cm

Spider plant

Spider plants are popular for being low-maintenance and they're perfect for beginners. If you’re looking for something a bit different, why not try the variety 'Bonnie', which has been bred for its extra curly leaves? It will cope with a bit of neglect and it is easy to make new plants from. It's generally safe, but move this plant out of the way if your cat tries to nibble it, as stomach upsets may ensue.

H x S: 40cm x 60cm

Buy Chlorophytum comosum 'Bonnie' plant from Crocus

Kentia palm

Kentia palm was a popular plant in Victorian times and is still a classic today, perfect for adding height to the corner of a room. It needs bright, indirect light and will thrive as long as it isn’t placed in direct sunlight or in a draughty spot. Keep the compost moist but don’t overwater, and mist every so often.

H x S: 3m x 1m

Buy Kentia palm from Crocus

Maidenhair fern

Perfect for a steamy bathroom, the maidenhair fern has graceful leaves on delicate arching stems. If you don’t have a humid spot, mist it regularly. Keep its compost moist and place in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.

H x S: 50cm x 40cm

Buy maidenhair fern from Patch Plants

Pachira aquatica

Money tree stores water in its trunk so be wary of overwatering. The plant is said to bring good fortune, hence the name, and it’s not too tricky to look after – water once the top couple of inches of compost has dried out and mist every few days. It needs a bright spot out of direct sun.

H x S: 1.2m x 50cm

Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish'

Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' has large leaves, which add an exotic feel to indoor displays. This compact variety shouldn’t reach any higher than 2-3m. Give this plant plenty of light and keep the compost moist.

H x S: 3m x 1.2m

Buy Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' from Crocus

Moth orchids

Enjoy the exotic blooms of moth orchids, which can bloom at any time of year. To keep your orchids content and healthy, put them in a humid room such as a bathroom or kitchen. Moth orchids are popular because they are easy to grow. Choose a room where the temperature won't drop below 15ºC.

Flowers: at any time of year
H x S: 70cm x 40cm

Calathea sanderiana

Calathea sanderiana, also known as the pin-stripe plant, for its large, striking leaves, which have a purple underside. This plant likes a warm room, in a spot that gets bright, indirect light. Mist every few days and water regularly, around once a week or once the top two inches of compost has dried out.

H x S: 60cm x 60cm

Buy Calathea sanderiana from Thompson & Morgan

Watermelon peporomia (Peperomia argyreia)

Watermelon peperomia, Peperomia argyreia — Watermelon peperomia, *Peperomia argyreia*

This attractive foliage plant is ideal for brightening up a table or shelf in a warm room. Make sure it has bright, indirect light rather than strong sunlight and mist every few days, especially during the summer. It is named for its leaf markings, which resemble the pattern of a watermelon's rind.

H x S: 30cm x 30cm

Buy Watermelon peporomia from Crocus

Zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata)

This succulent looks a bit like Aloe vera, which is toxic to cats, but this attractive striped plant is not toxic and is safe for pets. It's often sold as 'Alba'. Make sure that you are buying this particular plant and not something that looks similar. Don't overwater, and keep in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.

H x S: 20cm x 20cm

Buy Haworthia fasciata from Hortology

Parlour palm

If you want an easy cat-friendly house plant, try the parlour palm. It will add height and impact to any room with its exotic leaves. The parlour palm can tolerate some neglect, but to keep your plant looking at its best water around once a week in the summer, once the top inch of compost is dry.

H x S: 1m x 80cm

Buy Parlour palm from Crocus

Golden polypody

This tender fern makes a good house plant with its evergreen, blue-green leaves that look good year round. A humid, steamy bathroom is the ideal place for golden polypody, but if that's not possible, mist regularly and keep the compost moist. Avoid overwatering, though.

H x S: 90cm x 40cm