House plants that are safe (and not) around cats
A quick reference of common indoor plants — the harmless, the mildly irritating, and the truly toxic.
The absolute no-go list
True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are the biggest emergency. Even pollen brushed off onto fur and licked during grooming can cause acute kidney failure in cats. Sago palm, oleander, azalea, and dieffenbachia round out the most dangerous common houseplants.
If your cat has chewed any part of a true lily — leaf, petal, stem, or pollen — treat it as an emergency and go to a vet immediately.
Mildly irritating but not usually dangerous
Pothos, philodendron, and peace lily (which despite the name is not a true lily) contain insoluble calcium oxalates. They cause drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting, but rarely anything more serious. Still worth keeping out of reach.
Cat-safe options
Spider plant, Boston fern, areca palm, calathea, most orchids, African violet, and cat grass are all considered non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. They're a good place to start if you want greenery without worry.