The old saying "cats have nine lives" comes to a screeching halt when they meet the house plants toxic to cats. A cat's curiosity and urge to nibble can lead to an untimely death for our feline friends. They don't say curiosity killed the cat for nothing.

However, we’re naturally surrounded by plants, even if we don't bring them inside our homes. So are cats—even if we don't bring them inside our homes. But owning a cat doesn't mean you can't also own house plants. Consider this article your crash course for cats and houseplants.

Keep reading to learn more.

Are House Plants Toxic to Cats?

Cats are, by nature, curious about everything. They tend to be picky eaters, but they also enjoy tearing up anything within proximity to their little dagger teeth - cardboard boxes, important documents, and that means your house plants are fair game.

Of course, it's the less experienced kittens and young cats that do the most damage—and are most at risk. This also holds true for the bored house cat that's left confined to the indoor world and has run out of things to play with. Outdoor cats have better things to do than gnaw on your living room fern. 

Fortunately, not all plants are toxic to cats. For example, you may notice that when your cat is outside, it likes to eat grass. When cats eat grass, it's usually to quell an upset stomach. Grass also helps them to digest or purge something inedible, like the bones of their prey.

You most likely don't grow grass indoors, which means your cat may turn to an unsuspecting houseplant for those same reasons. Toxic house plants can have various bad side effects, from drooling to diarrhea and severe illness.

If you want your indoor cat to coexist safely with your plants, the best thing you can do is avoid keeping toxic houseplants in your home.

The Most Toxic Houseplants to Cats

The bad news is that many plants can make your cat ill if ingested. The good news is that the most extremely toxic plants, like Oleanders, Hydrangeas, most types of Lillies, and Skunk Cabbage are predominately outdoor plants. These toxic plants don’t often find their way inside. 

However, just because something is a house plant doesn’t necessarily mean it’s entirely safe for cats. In almost all cases, the danger to your cat lies in eating certain parts of the plant. Overall toxicity depends on how much your cat eats.

Toxic Houseplants A-Z

Here are some common LEAFY plants that make wonderful houseplants, but can be toxic if eaten by your cat:

• Aloe. Aloe is one of the best plants to have in your home. Unfortunately, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, staggering, and lack of appetite for cats.
• Bird of Paradise. This epic plant is named after its flowers, which are also it’s most toxic parts. If ingested, the flower and fruit can cause nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. 
• Dieffenbachias. This plant also goes by the name dumbcane, for one very good reason: ingesting it can cause a human to lose the ability to speak, due to swelling and numbness. It has a similar effect on cats, causing swelling, irritation, and a painful burning sensation if ingested. 
• Dracaena. This diverse plant comes in some beautiful and unique varieties, but they share one thing in common: they’re toxic to both cats and dogs. Diarrhea, weakness, depression, and even bloody vomiting can result if Kitty chows down on a Dracena. 
• Ficus. The ficus plant itself is pretty benign, but its sap is toxic to cats, as well as dogs. Skin irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, and a decreased appetite are signs that Luna’s been into the Ficus again.
• Ivy. Ivy leaves are beautiful but can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, drooling, difficulty breathing, and muscle weakness if ingested.

• Peace Lillies. Most true Lillies are incredibly poisonous; only a few nibbles can lead to kidney failure and death. Peace Lilies, however, are a popular houseplant and are not “true” Lillies. While they’re not poisonous, they can be mildly toxic to animals and humans if large amounts are ingested.

• Monstera. This big, easy to care for beauty is unfortunately quite toxic to humans, and very toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested, it can cause painful swelling around the victim’s lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. 
• Norfolk Pine. Norfolk pine toxicity can cause lower body temperature, pale gums, vomiting, and depression.
• Pothos. Whether your cat chews or swallows your Pothos, these plants tend to cause throat and mouth irritation, vomiting, and drooling.
• Sansevieria. Also known as the Snake Plant, this low maintenance, low light plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in ingested. 
• ZZ Plant. This tough plant is known for being very hard to kill. One of its survivor characteristics: every single part of it is toxic. In fact, they’re so well known for being toxic that there was a rumor a decade ago that the plant caused cancer and needed to be handled with gloves. This is completely untrue of course, but it can cause skin and eye irritation on direct contact, and diarrhea and vomiting if ingested. 

Any of the above houseplants are toxic to cats. However, cats will react differently depending on their size, age, and any underlying health conditions. If your cat displays any of these side effects, you'll want to take them to the vet immediately. 

You can view the ASPCA’s full list of toxic houseplants here.

Keeping Mr. Jingles Out of Your Plants

Sure, there are plenty of indoor plants safe for cats. But being non-toxic doesn't mean you want your cat terrorizing them.

Here are a few ways to keep your cat from eating your houseplants:

• Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of the plant. Its smell will deter curious cats from nosing around your LEAFY friend too much. 

• Leave orange or lemon peels in the soil. Or, spray your plants with diluted lemon juice or a citrus essential oil. (NOTE: avoid using citrus oil extracts or synthetic versions found in insecticides, fragrances, shampoos, etc. Those are toxic to pets!)

• Keep your plants completely out of reach by hanging them, and using stakes and moss poles to direct trailing plants like Ivy away from the floor, tables, or other places where your cat may reach them. 

You can also try planting indoor wheatgrass for your feline, so she has something nutritious to munch on instead of your succulents.

The Purrfect Plants For Your Home

House plants toxic to cats aren't something you want to test out. If your cat is into eating your plants, a few mild symptoms like vomiting aren't going to stop them from chowing down—especially if they want your attention. 

Need help finding great plants that won’t hurt your cats? Stop by in person or shop online today! We ship plants all over the country.