Having pets makes choosing the right indoor plants more complicated. You want something that will not harm your furry friends but also one that can thrive in your home’s environment.
Low light indoor plants safe for cats are an excellent option for pet owners looking for greenery that won’t harm people or animals.
Why are Non-Toxic Plants Essential For Cats?
Selecting non-toxic plants for your home is essential when you share your space with a curious cat. Cats have a natural inclination to explore their environment, and that includes nibbling on plants. While it’s cute to watch them investigate, it’s crucial to ensure their safety.
Some plants contain substances called oxalates, which can be harmful when ingested by cats. These oxalates may cause discomfort, digestive issues, or even more severe health problems. To protect your feline friend, it’s wise to opt for plants that are known to be safe for cats.
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) provides a valuable resource by listing plants that are non-toxic to cats. These plants are a great choice for cat owners, as they offer the beauty of indoor greenery without posing a risk to your furry companion.
So, if you’re thinking of adding some greenery to your home, consider these ASPCA-approved, non-toxic plants to keep your cat safe and your space beautifully adorned.
Here are 31 Low Light Indoor Plants Safe for Cats:
Low-light indoor plants are easy to care for and can make great additions to any home with cats.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)-
It can thrive even in low light conditions, so it’s a perfect pick if you don’t have much natural sunlight coming through your windows.
Its long tendrils make it look like a lovely living sculpture – aesthetically pleasing and safe for your cats to explore! Cats love spider plants and tend to chew on them due to the fact they are mildly hallucinogenic.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)-
Another great low-light plant for cats is the Boston fern. This plant loves indirect sunlight and prefers to be kept moist.
Be sure to keep an eye on your kitty if you have a Boston fern in the house, as they love to munch on its soft fronds!
These beautiful fronds offer a great pop of green to any room. These ferns are easy to care for and another great option if you’re looking for a pet-friendly houseplant.
3. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)-
The parlor palm is an excellent plant for pet owners. It can thrive in low light conditions and won’t harm cats if they decide to take a bite.
This plant loves warm temperatures and should be kept moist but not overly wet. The leaves of this beautiful palm are thin and wispy, adding a nice touch of style to any room.
4. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)-
The friendship plant is great for cat owners looking to add a bit of greenery to their home. This plant loves indirect sunlight and thrives in warm temperatures.
It’s a lovely little non-toxic plant with fuzzy, crinkly leaves that cats avoid.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)-
The Cast Iron Plant is an incredibly hardy and robust houseplant resistant to low light conditions. Pet owners often seek it out because it contains no toxins and is safe for cats.
This low-maintenance plant requires minimal care, so it’s a great choice for busy households. Its deep green foliage and ability to thrive in any environment make it an ideal addition to your living space!
6. Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia)-
Its thick waxy leaves are unappetizing to most cats, making it a great choice for pet owners looking for greenery in the home.
7. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.)-
It has thick, fleshy leaves that cats don’t usually find tasty, making it a great indoor plant if you have pets. It’s a flowering succulent that adds a nice touch of color to any room.
8. African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)-
The African violet is an excellent low-light plant for pet owners. This plant loves indirect sunlight and should be kept moist but not overly wet.
Its soft fuzzy leaves are unappetizing to most cats, making it an ideal choice for pet owners looking for a lovely flowery plant in their homes.
9. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)-
The lipstick plant is a beautiful low-light option for cat owners. This plant must be kept in indirect sunlight and watered every two weeks or so.
The vibrant red color of its flowers often repels cats, making it an ideal choice for pet owners looking for some greenery in their homes.
10. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The prayer plant enjoys indirect sunlight and needs to be kept moist but not overly wet. Its broad, bold leaves are lively and dance each night – hence the name, prayer plant.
It’s an ideal choice for those looking for an attractive indoor plant that won’t harm their furry friends.
11. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)
The moth orchid enjoys indirect sunlight and should be kept moist but not overly wet. Its large blooms offer a beautiful pop of color in any room, and the plant is usually unappealing to cats.
So if you’re looking for a low-light plant that is pet friendly, the moth orchid might be perfect for you.
12. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
The polka dot plant is a fun, small, non, toxic option for cat owners. This plant loves indirect sunlight and should be kept moist but not wet.
Its round leaves with fun polka dot patterns are usually unappetizing to cats, making it an excellent choice for pet owners looking for a bit of greenery in the home.
13. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
It’s also considered one of the safest cat options, containing no toxins or irritants. Its high water content also makes it a great humidifier, which can help keep the air in your home fresh and healthy.
And let’s not forget about its adorable shape – it’s long, thin leaves that resemble a ponytail make this plant an irresistible addition to any living space!
14. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The Bamboo palm is a perfect low light houseplants safe for cats and easy to care for. This hardy plant will thrive in even the darkest corners of your home, and its air-purifying properties make it an ideal choice if you’re looking to improve the air quality in your living space.
Its slender, graceful fronds look great when tucked away in a corner. Your cats may find it irresistible to play with, but fortunately, it’s toxin-free, so you can rest assured that they’re safe from harm!
15. Painted Lady (Echeveria multicaulis)-
The Painted Lady is a charming succulent plant admired for its rosette-shaped leaves and vibrant colors. The good news for cat owners is that this beautiful succulent is non-toxic to feline companions.
You can confidently enjoy its presence in your home, knowing that it won’t pose a threat to your curious kitty. Its unique colorful leaves and ability to brighten up any room make it an obvious choice for a pet-friendly home!
16. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)-
It’s also one of the longest-lasting houseplants you can find – with proper care, including good zz plant soil, it can last for years! So if you’re looking for a pet-safe plant that won’t take up too much of your time, then the ZZ plant is a great choice.
17. Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)-
It also grows quickly, meaning you can show off your new addition to the family in no time! This hardy plant is sure to put a smile on your (and your cat’s) face.
18. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)-
It’s also one of the toughest houseplants around – it can easily tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. So if you’re looking for a pet-friendly plant that requires minimal attention, then the Snake plant is a great choice!
19. Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei)
The Aluminum plant is an attractive, low-light houseplant safe for cats. Its glossy leaves make it a great addition to any living space, while its easy care requirements make it perfect for busy pet owners.
Plus, its air-purifying properties mean you can feel good knowing that your cat is breathing in clean, healthy air. So if you’re looking for a pet-safe plant that’s easy to care for, the Aluminum plant is worth considering!
20. Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Plus, its easy care requirements mean you don’t have to worry about spending too much time tending to your new plant!
21. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Plus, its air-purifying properties make it an ideal choice if you want to improve your home’s air quality. So if you’re on the hunt for a pet-safe plant that requires minimal care, then the Bird’s Nest Fern is worth considering!
22. Purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata)-
Plus, its easy care requirements mean you can enjoy having this attractive plant in your home without spending hours tending to it!
So if you’re looking for a pet-safe plant that will bring some life to your living space, the Purple Waffle plant is a great choice.
23. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
The Baby’s Tear houseplant is a low-light, easy-care indoor plant that’s safe for cats. Its delicate foliage and its ability to soften any room make it an obvious choice for pet owners.
Plus, its air-purifying properties mean you can feel good knowing that your cat is breathing in clean, healthy air. If you’re on the hunt for a pet-safe plant that requires minimal care, then the Baby’s Tears is definitely worth considering!
24. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.)
Low light cat safe plants are only as challenging as this. The Staghorn Fern is so easy to care for that you could leave it in the corner of your house and still have a happy cat-friendly plant!
Low light, humidity, and a few waterings per week will keep this low-light indoor plant thriving. Its unique shape adds character to any room and it’s sure to be a conversation starter at your next dinner party.
Plus, its fronds are safe for cats even if they get curious about munching on them!
25. Variegated Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa ‘Variegata’)
Low-light plants get a little more beautiful than this. The Variegated Wax Plant has stunning variegated foliage with pink and white hues, adding a touch of elegance to any room.
Low light, temperatures between 65-75F, and moderate watering will keep this plant happy. This low-light indoor plant is safe for cats, so it’s a great choice for any pet-friendly home.
26. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Low light is often associated with dull and boring, but Croton’s vibrant coloration will ensure no one ever makes that mistake when it comes to your indoor plants.
Low maintenance and safe for cats, there are plenty of reasons to add this decorative plant to your home. Avoid direct sunlight as the leaves tend to burn if exposed too long.
It’s not just a pretty face either; Croton is also very efficient in filtering indoor air toxins and can help you breathe easier at home. Low light? Low maintenance? Low risk? What more could you ask for?
27. Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis)
also known as nerve plant, this is a great low-light option for cats. The beautiful leaves have bright veins in shades of pink, white, or red and can be used to bring some color into your home without bringing danger to your furry friends!
Fittonias are very easy to care for and need little water – so if you’re thinking of bringing some greenery into your home but want to commit to a little maintenance, Fittonias are the way to go.
Plus, they look great in any décor – modern or traditional! Low-light indoor plants and cats can get along, after all!
28. Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
This showstopper of a plant will add some pizzazz to your home. It is bound to turn heads with its striped leaves in shades of green and yellow.
While Zebra Plants require more light than Fittonias, they still grow well in low-light environments, so there is no need to worry about harming your cat (or your plant).
In addition to its beautiful foliage, Zebra Plants also produce yellow blooms in the summertime, adding another layer of color to an already vibrant piece of greenery. Low-light indoor plants and cats can live peacefully together!
29. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)-
While Swiss Cheese Plants may require more light than the other two plants mentioned above, they still make a great addition to any low-light indoor plants safe for cats.
Plus, the Swiss Cheese Plant is known to produce an edible fruit – a bonus for any adventurous home chef! Low-light indoor plants and cats can coexist peacefully.
30. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
This is a big favorite among low-light indoor plants and cat owners alike. Dracaena is a diverse genus with many varieties, so you’ll surely find one that fits your needs.
Whether you’re looking for colorful foliage or an exciting shape, Dracaenas are bound to fit the bill. They’re super easy to care for and require very little water.
Low-light indoor plants and cats can live together without issue!
31. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The Areca Palm is a neat plant that can add height to your home. Its tall fronds and bright yellow flowers create an interesting focal point in any room.
Plus, it requires very little light and water, making it ideal for low-light environments and cats. Low-light indoor plants and cats can coexist – the Areca Palm is proof!
Final Thoughts
For plant lovers who share their homes with curious cats, the challenge of ensuring pet safety while maintaining a thriving indoor garden is a common concern. The good news is that with some research and thoughtful choices, you can build a lush indoor oasis that’s entirely safe for your furry companions and little ones.
Low light plants safe for cats come in a delightful variety of shapes, colors, and growth patterns, ranging from charming succulents and hardy cacti to lush tropical species. There’s no need to restrict your plant collection on account of your pets.
By following this guide and making informed selections, you can cultivate a beautiful and secure indoor garden that both you and your pets will enjoy.
