With many indoor plants coming with dire warnings for pet owners (hello lilies!), it can be tricky to find a balance between being responsible pet parents and wanting some greenery in your life. Cats can be mischievous, and some flowering plants are certainly not suitable to have in a home with pets who may take a nibble off them. Thankfully, there are cat-friendly flowers and plants out there.
Key Takeaways
Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats and other pets.
There are plenty of plants that are both safe and striking, including flowers, ferns, palms, succulents, and cacti.
Keep cats (and plants!) safe by making plants inaccessible or unappealing to them, even if they are non-toxic.
We’ve compiled a list of non-toxic plants that are pet-friendly and perfectly safe to have in a home with cats and dogs, so you can rest easy. From sunflowers to African violets, there’s a flower for everyone, and for every cat.
As a cat owner, you want to decorate your home with gorgeous flowers. But many popular blooms like lilies are toxic to cats. So what flowers can you display that are both beautiful and safe for your feline friend?
In this article I’ll share 20 cat-safe flower varieties to safely brighten up your home. For each flower I’ll include a picture so you can see the lovely blooms.
Why Cat-Safe Flowers Matter
Cats are curious creatures who may nibble on houseplants Certain flowers contain toxins that can cause illness in cats if eaten. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy can occur
That’s why it’s important to choose non-toxic flowers around cats. Some top pet-safe picks include:
- Roses
- Orchids
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
Let’s explore these and more cat-friendly flowers in detail!
20 Beautiful Pictures of Cat-Safe Flowers
1. Roses
Nothing says timeless beauty like roses. All colors of roses are non-toxic for cats. Give them full sun and well-drained soil.
![Red roses blooming on bush]
2. Orchids
Exotic orchid blooms are totally safe for cats. Provide bright, indirect light and humidity.
![White moth orchids blooming in pot]
3. Sunflowers
Big, cheerful sunflowers are ideal for cat-friendly gardens. Grow dwarf varieties in containers.
![Sunflowers blooming against blue sky]
4. Marigolds
Marigolds repel pests while attracting pollinators. Site them in full sun.
![Orange and yellow marigolds in garden bed]
5. Zinnias
Vibrant zinnias liven up any space. Attract butterflies with these rugged blooms.
![Mixed color zinnias in vase on table]
6. Snapdragons
Fun snapdragons reveal their “dragon faces” when squeezed. Provide full sun.
![Pink snapdragons blooming outdoors]
7. Lavender
Fragrant lavender blossoms and foliage naturally repel pests.
![Lavender flowers and green foliage]
8. Petunias
Petunias bloom freely in baskets and pots when given full sun.
![Pink petunias cascading from hanging basket]
9. Gerbera Daisies
Cheerful gerbera daisies come in many bright colors. Give them good drainage.
![Orange gerbera daisy in garden]
10. Pansies
Happy pansy “faces” provide cool weather color. Site in partial sun.
![Purple and yellow pansies blooming in pot]
11. Viola
Delicate violas resemble miniature pansies. Provide rich, moist soil.
![White and purple violas blooming]
12. Asters
Colorful, daisy-like asters bloom in late summer into fall. Give them full sun.
![Purple asters blooming in garden]
13. Freesia
Trumpet-shaped freesia blooms emit a light, sweet scent.
![White and pink freesias in small glass vase]
14. Canna Lily
Tropical canna lilies produce striking flowers in shades of red, yellow, orange and pink.
![Orange canna lilies blooming in garden]
15. Begonia
Vibrant begonia flowers brighten up containers and hanging baskets.
![Pink begonias in hanging basket]
16. Dianthus
Fragrant dianthus blooms in pink, red, white or purple. Give them full sun.
![White dianthus flowers blooming in garden]
17. Globe Amaranth
Globe amaranth’s clover-like blooms retain color when dried.
![Purple globe amaranth in garden bed]
18. Lisianthus
Elegant, rose-like lisianthus blooms resemble peeled back petals.
![Pink lisianthus stems in glass vase]
19. Dahlia
Showy dahlia flowers bloom in almost every color except blue. Provide full sun.
![Orange dahlias blooming against green foliage]
20. Chrysanthemum
Fluffy “mums” are synonymous with fall but bloom in spring and summer too.
![Yellow chrysanthemum blooms in garden]
Safely Decorating Your Home
As you can see, there are plenty of cat-safe flowers to choose from! Use this guide to select beautiful, pet-friendly blooms.
Remember to keep all plants out of reach and watch for chewing or ingestion. With planning, you can decorate with gorgeous flowers while keeping your cat safe and healthy.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)
Also known as the pancake plant due to its round leaves that can reach up to half a foot wide, this is another low-maintenance choice for beginners looking for a new plant.
Known for its attractive red, white, or pink flowers which appear over the November – January time, this bright cactus requires lots of moisture, so a humidifier or something similar will help for best flowering results.
Also known as the prickle plant, this is a hairy succulent. Place in a sunny spot and don’t overwater. It doesn’t often flower, but when it does it’s very pretty, with delicate, small yellow blooms.
These pretty and sweet-smelling blooms are non-toxic to cats and are considered very safe to have in homes with pets, whether grown or bought as part of a bouquet.
Also called the African daisy, these lovely cat-friendly flowers come in a range of vibrant colors and are often used in arrangements and bouquets. Non-toxic to pets, they are safe to display in feline homes.
With blue, red, and purple flowers, this is an extremely pretty plant. Growing well in light conditions, it may have to share a sunny windowsill with those other well-known sun lovers – cats!
1 Grape Ivy (Cissus Discolor)
This is a beautiful climbing vine, with stems up to six feet long. It can be grown in a raised pot or hanging planter so that its long stems and variegated leaves can trail down to be admired. The leaves are dark green with silver markings and purple undersides, and it requires bright but indirect light.
Pet-Safe Flowers
FAQ
Which flowers are not toxic to cats?
- Beautiful Flowers That Won’t Kill Your Cat!
- Roses
- Camelias
- Gerbera Daisies (ONLY)
- Succulents
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
What supermarket flowers are safe for cats?
11 Flowers Safe for Cats
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) Freesia. Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) Lisianthus.
What plants are safe for cats in a catio?
Plants Catnip makes a welcome addition to any cat-scape. Spider and rubber plants, lemon button ferns, and Areca and ponytail palms are also safe to include (if you’re not sure about a particular plant, check the ASPCA’s website). Obviously, the bigger the catio, the more room for exercise and fun.
Can I have flowers if I have a cat?
Florist here, most types of flowers and foliage can cause a cat to become ill if consumed, but the most dangerous is lilies. Even a small amount of foliage, pollen, or the flower itself can be deadly for cats. I’d also avoid Hyacinth and Tulips as they are in the Liliaceae family.
Are flowers safe for cats?
Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats. However, there are cat-friendly flowers and plants out there. Keep cats safe by making plants inaccessible or unappealing to them, even if they are non-toxic. There are plenty of plants that are both safe and striking, including flowers, ferns, palms, succulents, and cacti.
What makes a plant safe for cats?
Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats and other pets. There are plenty of plants that are both safe and striking, including flowers, ferns, palms, succulents, and cacti. Keep cats (and plants!) safe by making plants inaccessible or unappealing to them, even if they are non-toxic.
Are there any flowers that cats can eat?
While many plants and flowers are toxic to cats, there are cat-friendly flowers and plants out there. Cats can be mischievous and may take a nibble off them, so it’s important to choose pet-safe options. Here are 21 cat-friendly flowers you can buy or grow.
Are purple flowers safe for cats?
This bouquet is made of non-toxic plants for cats, and it contains some of the most beautiful flower color combinations on this list, all in purple tones. The main accents of this cat-safe bouquet come from orchids and the purple velvet plant, creating a unique mixture of purple, violet, and yellow flowers.
Are all cat-friendly plants toxic to cats?
From vibrant flowers to lush shrubs, all the cat-friendly plants in this blog are confirmed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). To see the full list, click HERE. Let’s get started.
Are roses toxic to cats?
Here are some common flowers that are toxic to cats: Toxin concentration levels vary depending on the type and part of the flower, PetMD reports. Its safe to assume any plant labeled as “toxic” is off-limits for decoration.