If you've got cats and plants in the same house, you've probably googled this at 11pm after watching your cat chew something they shouldn't. We've been there.

The good news: there are plenty of genuinely beautiful indoor plants that are non-toxic to cats. The better news: the list of genuinely risky indoor plants is shorter than most people think. Once you know which ones to watch out for, the rest is straightforward.

One thing worth saying upfront: some cats never touch plants. Others treat every leaf like a personal buffet. Species selection matters — but so does positioning. Even a non-toxic plant can cause mild stomach upset if your cat eats enough of it, and some cats will eat enough of anything given the chance. Keep that in mind as you read.

The plants to know about first — common toxic ones

Before the safe list, here are the plants that come up most often in cat toxicity cases. If you have any of these, consider where they're positioned:

• Monstera deliciosa — contains calcium oxalate crystals. Not typically fatal, but can cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed. Most cats learn quickly and leave it alone.
• Pothos / Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) — same calcium oxalate issue as Monstera. Very common indoor plant, worth keeping out of reach of persistent chewers.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) — calcium oxalates again. Despite its gentle reputation, it can cause significant oral irritation.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) — also contains calcium oxalates. Generally considered low toxicity but can cause GI upset.
• Dracaena — toxic to cats. Can cause vomiting, drooling and lethargy. Keep out of reach.
• Lilies — the most serious one. True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are severely toxic to cats and can cause acute kidney failure. If you have cats, avoid true lilies entirely.

If your cat eats any plant and shows signs of distress — vomiting, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite — contact your vet. This list is a guide, not a substitute for professional advice.

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

One of the most forgiving indoor plants going — tolerates low light, irregular watering and general neglect. The long arching leaves look great trailing from a shelf and are entirely safe for cats. Many cats seem unusually attracted to spider plants, though the exact reason isn't fully understood. Not harmful, just entertaining to watch.

Water when the top 2–3cm of mix is dry. Feed every two weeks during active growth. 

2. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Elegant, feathery fronds, tolerates lower light better than most palms, and completely non-toxic to cats. A genuinely underrated plant that suits Australian homes well — it doesn't need direct sun and handles the humidity of most indoor environments without complaint.

Water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry. Feed lightly through spring and summer.

3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Lush, dense fronds and entirely safe for cats. Boston Ferns like humidity and indirect light — a bathroom with a window is often ideal. They'll tell you when they're unhappy by dropping fronds, which makes them useful self-reporters.

Keep the mix slightly moist and avoid direct sun. In very dry rooms, increasing ambient humidity helps more than misting.

4. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

The circular leaves and quirky upright growth habit make this one of the more distinctive plants on the list. Non-toxic to cats, easy to propagate (it produces offshoots regularly) and happy in moderate indirect light.

Water when the top 2–3cm of mix is dry. Rotate regularly so it doesn't lean toward the light.

5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Named for good reason. The Aspidistra survives lower light, irregular watering and general neglect — it was the quintessential Victorian parlour plant precisely because it could handle gas-lamp fumes and dim rooms. Non-toxic to cats and robust enough to tolerate a bit of rough play from a curious one.

Water when the top half of the mix is dry. Feed lightly through the growing season. Check out our Aspidistra care guide here

6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Not actually a palm — it's a succulent with a bulbous water-storing base and long arching leaves. Extremely low maintenance, tolerates irregular watering well, and non-toxic to cats. A good choice if you want something architectural and unusual that won't cause problems if your cat investigates.

Bright light, infrequent watering, well-draining mix. Err on the dry side.

7. Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia lancifolia, formerly Calathea lancifolia)

Intricately patterned leaves with deep green markings and purple undersides — and the characteristic habit of raising and lowering leaves from day to night. Non-toxic to cats. Likes humidity, indirect light and consistently moist (not wet) mix.

Note the taxonomy update: most plants sold as Calathea have been reclassified as Goeppertia. Same plant, different name on the label.

8. Zebra Plant (Goeppertia zebrina, formerly Calathea zebrina)

Bold zebra-stripe leaf patterns and non-toxic to cats. Similar care to the Rattlesnake Plant — indirect light, humidity, consistent moisture. Grouping these together helps maintain the humidity they prefer.

9. Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

Glossy, ripple-edged fronds that radiate from a central rosette — big jungle vibes without any of the risks. Non-toxic to cats and well-suited to lower light and humid conditions. A good bathroom or kitchen plant.

Keep the mix slightly moist, avoid getting water in the central rosette, and keep out of direct sun.

10. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

Mounted on a piece of timber and hung on a wall, a Staghorn Fern is one of the most dramatic-looking indoor plants you can grow — and conveniently out of reach of most cats. Non-toxic, likes bright indirect light and prefers to be watered by soaking rather than from above.

A good option if you want something visually striking that's naturally elevated away from curious paws. Staghorn Fern care guide