Plants Safe for Cats: Non-Toxic Picks Listed by the ASPCA

Cats chew plants far more than most owners expect — out of boredom, for fibre, or simply because a dangling leaf moves. Their liver is also poor at breaking down some plant compounds, so a plant that is harmless to a dog can be dangerous to a cat. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are the best-known example: the ASPCA lists them as toxic to cats, and even pollen licked off fur can cause kidney failure.

Every plant below is listed as non-toxic to cats in the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database, matched by scientific name against PlantoScan's curated catalogue. We only include plants with a direct ASPCA entry, so the list is shorter than a general "pet-friendly" list, but you can check the source for each one. Non-toxic is not the same as edible: eating a lot of any plant can cause vomiting, and spiky or fibrous leaves can irritate a cat's mouth. Keep plants treated with systemic pesticides or leaf shine away from cats, and if your cat shows drooling, vomiting or lethargy after chewing a plant, call your vet or an animal poison control line.