Succulents, celebrated for their resilience and adaptability in dry climates, offer the perfect solution for pet owners with curious cats underfoot.
As research confirms, these fascinating plants thrive in arid environments, making them hardy, low-maintenance houseplants1 that even the most inquisitive feline can’t deter.
Here are cat-friendly succulents you can add to your living space.
1. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
This Christmas Cactus brings festive cheer with its vibrant blooms during the winter holidays. It’s a safe and non-toxic option for cat owners, making it a perfect addition to your home décor.
This plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it easy to care for even for novice plant parents.
2. Hens & Chicks (Echeveria elegans)
This eye-catching succulent features rosette-shaped leaves with “chicks” or smaller plants sprouting around the “mother” plant. It’s non-toxic to cats and adds a unique touch to any indoor space.
The Hens and Chicks succulent thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for various lighting conditions.
3. Moonstones (Pachyphytum oviferum)
These fascinating succulents showcase plump, egg-shaped leaves covered in a powdery white coating, resembling moonstones. Rest assured, they are entirely safe for your furry friends.
Moonstones prefer bright light and well-draining soil.
4. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
This whimsical succulent has trailing stems adorned with plump, tear-shaped leaves, resembling a donkey’s tail. It’s non-toxic and perfectly safe for curious cats. Burro’s Tail is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, adding a touch of charm to your home.
Ensure it receives bright light and well-draining soil for optimal growth.
5. Zebra Plant (Haworthia attenuata)
This striking succulent boasts dark green leaves with distinctive white stripes, resembling a zebra’s pattern. It’s a low-maintenance, non-toxic option for cat owners.
The Zebra Plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires only occasional watering, making it a hassle-free addition to your plant collection.
6. Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)
This adorable succulent features cylindrical leaves with translucent tips, resembling tiny toes. It’s a non-toxic and charming addition to any succulent collection.
Baby Toes thrives in bright light and requires well-draining soil.
7. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
The Chinese Money plant features round, coin-like leaves that grow on slender stems. It’s non-toxic and easy to propagate, making it a great gift for friends and family. The Chinese Money plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers moderate watering.
Its unique appearance and easy care make it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
8. Blue Echeveria (Echeveria glauca)
This elegant succulent showcases a rosette of powdery blue-green leaves, adding a touch of serenity to your home. Its non-toxic nature makes it a safe and worry-free option for cat owners.
The Blue Echeveria thrives in bright light and requires well-draining soil.
9. Mexican Firecracker (Echeveria setosa)
This Mexican Firecracker succulent boasts fuzzy, red-tipped leaves that resemble a firecracker, adding a pop of color to your indoor garden. Rest assured, it’s entirely non-toxic to your feline companions.
It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
10. Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spp.)
This delightful cactus features clusters of small, cylindrical stems covered in soft spines, resembling a pincushion. Even though it’s spiny, it is non-toxic to cats and adds a unique texture to your plant collection.
The Pincushion Cactus prefers bright light and well-draining soil.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.