Cats can safely eat several types of grasses, a handful of common herbs, and nibble on a surprisingly long list of non-toxic houseplants without harm. The most popular option is cat grass, which is a blanket term for young shoots of wheat, oat, barley, or orchard grass grown specifically for cats. Beyond that, many common houseplants and garden flowers are safe if your cat decides to chew on them.
That said, cats are obligate carnivores. Plants aren’t a dietary necessity, and too much greenery can cause vomiting. The goal is knowing which plants are fine to keep around and which ones to avoid entirely.
Cat Grass: The Best Plant To Offer
Cat grass is the safest, most intentional way to let your cat eat plants. It’s sold as seeds or pre-grown trays at most pet stores and comes in four main varieties: wheatgrass, oat grass, barley grass, and orchard grass. All four provide fiber, trace minerals, and vitamins A, B, and D. Wheatgrass is the most common and tends to grow thick, sturdy blades. Oat grass is similar in texture and adds fiber. Barley grass shares most of the same nutrients. Orchard grass is thinner and more fibrous than the others, and many cats seem to prefer it.
Grass also contains folic acid, which supports hemoglobin production and healthy blood oxygenation. Some researchers believe cats instinctively eat grass to help expel indigestible material like fur and bone fragments. Cats that eat grass regularly tend to have more regular digestion, fewer hairballs, and less constipation, according to veterinary sources at VCA Animal Hospitals.
You can grow cat grass indoors in a shallow pot on a windowsill. It sprouts within a week and lasts about two to three weeks before it starts to yellow. Rotating a fresh tray every couple of weeks keeps a steady supply available.
Safe Herbs From Your Kitchen
Basil is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA, and it’s one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors. Most cats won’t eat much of it, but a nibble here and there is harmless. Rosemary, thyme, and cilantro are also generally recognized as safe for cats. These herbs have strong scents that some cats find interesting and others ignore completely.
Catnip and valerian are two herb-family plants that cats actively seek out. Catnip triggers a euphoric response in roughly 70% of cats (the other 30% lack the genetic receptor for it). Valerian root has a similar stimulating effect on many cats, though the plant itself smells unpleasant to most people. Both are safe for cats to eat in small amounts.
Non-Toxic Houseplants
If your cat likes to chew on leaves, these common houseplants are classified as non-toxic by the ASPCA:
- Spider plant: One of the most popular houseplants and safe for cats, though some cats are intensely attracted to the dangling leaves. There’s a persistent claim online that spider plants are mildly hallucinogenic to cats, but this appears to be an internet myth with no solid evidence behind it.
- Boston fern: A lush, leafy fern that’s completely non-toxic. Cats often enjoy batting at the fronds.
- Areca palm: Also called the butterfly palm or golden cane palm. Safe for cats and a popular choice for larger indoor spaces.
- Parlor palm: A smaller palm variety, sometimes sold as a bamboo palm. Non-toxic and low-maintenance.
- African violet: Safe for cats and compact enough for windowsills and shelves.
- Prayer plant (Calathea): The entire Calathea family, including the striking zebra plant varieties, is non-toxic.
- Cast iron plant: An extremely hardy, low-light plant that’s safe around cats.
- Christmas cactus: Unlike many other holiday plants, the Christmas cactus (and Easter cactus) is non-toxic to cats.
- Peperomia: Sometimes called baby rubber plant or pepper face. Non-toxic and available in dozens of varieties.
- Polka dot plant: Also listed as baby’s tears. Safe for cats and often grown as a colorful accent plant.
Safe Succulents
Many succulents are toxic to cats, so it’s important to choose carefully. Haworthia is one of the best options. Despite being closely related to aloe (which is toxic to cats), haworthia is confirmed non-toxic to both pets and humans. These small, rosette-shaped succulents look similar to aloe but are completely safe. They’re low-maintenance, tolerate low light, and stay compact.
Echeveria is another commonly recommended cat-safe succulent. The key plants to avoid in this category are aloe vera, jade plants, and kalanchoe, all of which can cause vomiting, lethargy, or worse in cats.
Cat-Safe Outdoor Plants
If your cat has access to a garden or patio, petunias (including calibrachoa, sometimes called million bells) are safe choices. Calendula, a type of marigold in the asteraceae family, is also listed as non-toxic. However, there’s a distinction worth noting: calendula marigolds are safe, while tagetes marigolds (the common garden variety often sold simply as “marigolds”) carry a caution advisory. Check the label before planting.
Sunflowers, zinnias, and snapdragons are additional outdoor flowers that are non-toxic to cats. For ground cover and greenery, most true grasses and common lawn grass are safe, though you should avoid any areas treated with pesticides or herbicides.
Why Cats Eat Plants (and When It’s Too Much)
Cats don’t need plants to survive, but plant-eating behavior is remarkably common. In two large surveys covering nearly 3,000 cats, published in a study indexed by the National Institutes of Health, over 90% of cats appeared completely normal before eating plants. It’s a routine behavior, not a sign of illness.
The fiber in grass and leafy plants adds roughage that helps move hair and other indigestible material through the gut. Some cats seem to use it as a natural digestive aid. Others may simply enjoy the texture.
Vomiting after eating plants is common but not universal, and it increases with age. In the same surveys, only about 3% of cats under one year old vomited frequently after eating plants, compared to 20% of cats aged one to two, 37% of cats aged three to nine, and 57% of cats over nine. If your older cat consistently throws up after eating greens, it may be worth limiting access or switching to a softer grass variety like orchard grass.
There’s no established “safe amount” of plant matter for cats. As a general guideline, a few bites of cat grass or a nibble on a safe houseplant leaf is normal. If your cat is consuming large quantities of any plant material and vomiting regularly, the plant-eating itself may not be the problem, but something in their diet or digestion may need attention.
Common Toxic Plants To Keep Away
Knowing what’s safe matters most when you also know what’s dangerous. The plants most commonly responsible for serious poisoning in cats include lilies (all species in the Lilium and Hemerocallis families, which can cause kidney failure from even small exposures), sago palms, tulips, azaleas, oleander, and dieffenbachia. Pothos, philodendron, and peace lilies cause mouth irritation and drooling but are less likely to be life-threatening.
Aloe vera, jade plants, and English ivy are popular houseplants that many people assume are safe but are toxic to cats. If you’re unsure about any plant in your home, the ASPCA maintains a searchable database of over 1,000 plants categorized by toxicity for cats, dogs, and horses.