A greener and safer cat life

Plants with room for paws

Flowers, houseplants, gardens and grass can all be part of life with a Sacred Birman. The key is to choose the species carefully – and know the difference between non-toxic, toxic and acutely dangerous plants.

Look up a plant In case of suspected poisoning

Illustreret Hellig Birma med blå øjne, mørk maske og hage og hvide poter blandt blomster og kattegræs

A good place to start

Choose the safe option – without sacrificing the green option

A plant that is registered as non-toxic is not intended to be eaten in large quantities. Sprays, fertilizers, flower preserves, thorns, sharp grass blades, and mold in the soil can still cause problems.

Bouquets & colors

Roses, sunflowers, gerberas and snapdragons

Four good tips when you want color on the table or in the bed. Choose unsprayed flowers and keep decorations and vase water under supervision.

AI-illustration af ægte liljer – meget farlige for katte

Never in the cat shelter

Lilies are not a risk you should take

It's not enough to place them high up. Pollen can end up on the fur or under the paws, and the cat can drink from the vase.

AI-illustration af grønt hvedegræs til katte

Something to sip on

Make your own pot of catnip

Young sprouts of wheat, oats, barley or rye are typical choices. Use untreated seeds and keep the tray fresh.

Plant encyclopedia

Is my plant safe for the cat?

Søg på Danish name or botanical name, and select type or risk level. The overview includes 70 selected examples and is not a complete list of all plantsUnknown species should never be automatically considered safe.

Search for plant

Plant type

Showing 70 plants

The images are AI-generated, photorealistic illustrations and should not be used solely for plant identification. Always check the botanical name of the plant. If poisoning is suspected: contact a veterinarian immediately.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Rose

Rosa spp.

Non-toxic as a plant; remove thorns and avoid sprayed bouquets.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Sunflower

Helianthus spp.

Good in the garden or bouquet if it has not been treated with harmful agents.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Gerberas

Gerbera jamesonii

A good alternative to lilies in bouquets.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Snapdragon

Antirrhinum spp.

Cat-friendly color in pots, beds and bouquets.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

A colorful summer flower that is registered as non-toxic.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Freesia

Freesia spp.

Fragrant cut flowers; avoid additives in vase water.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Marigold

Calendula officinalis

Applies to common marigold – not automatically all plants called marigold.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

Petunia

Petunia spp.

Suitable for balcony boxes when cats can move around safely.

Registered as non-toxic Garden

Plate smasher

Tropaeolum majus

Cat-friendly flowering plant for boxes and beds.

Registered as non-toxic Garden

Butterfly bush

Buddleja spp.

One of Cats Protection's examples of cat-friendly outdoor plants.

Registered as non-toxic Garden

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Cat-friendly choice for a flowering garden.

Registered as non-toxic Flowers

One-year-old bridal veil

Gypsophila elegans

Only this species is registered as non-toxic by the ASPCA; other bridal veil species need to be identified. Larger ingestions may cause stomach upset.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Phalaenopsis orchid

Phalaenopsis spp.

Good choice as a flowering houseplant.

AI-illustration af Grønrenner / væddeløber

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Green runner / racehorse

Chlorophytum comosum

Non-toxic; many cats love to chew on the leaves.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Calathea

Calathea spp.

Cat-friendly foliage plants with patterns.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Maranta / prayer flower

Maranta leuconeura

Cat-friendly foliage plant; always check the botanical name.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Peperomia

Peperomia obtusifolia

Example of non-toxic Peperomia. Check species when purchasing.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Boston fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

A real fern, registered as non-toxic – not all so-called ferns are safe.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Parlor palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Non-toxic; do not confuse with sago palm.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Areca palm

Dypsis lutescens

Non-toxic palm; do not confuse with sago palm.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

African violet

Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia

A small flowering plant for the windowsill.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera spp.

Non-toxic. Larger amounts of plant material may still cause stomach upset.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Haworthia

Haworthiopsis attenuata

Cat-friendly succulent alternative to aloe vera.

Registered as non-toxic · Houseplants

Hoya / wax flower

Hoya carnosa

Cat-friendly climbing plant; be careful with hanging ropes and cords.

Registered as non-toxic · Herbs

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Non-toxic as a plant; concentrated essential oils are something else.

Registered as non-toxic · Herbs

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Non-toxic herb; no reason to use it as cat food.

Registered as non-toxic · Herbs

Timian

Thyme vulgaris

Mentioned as a cat-friendly herb by Cats Protection.

Registered as non-toxic · Herbs

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Cat-friendly enrichment for some cats; provide access in moderate amounts.

Registered as non-toxic Grass

Wheatgrass

Triticum aestivum

Young sprouts grown as catnip from untreated seeds.

Registered as non-toxic Grass

Oatgrass

Oatmeal

Young sprouts; a typical content in catnip.

Registered as non-toxic Grass

Barley grass

Hordeum vulgare

Young sprouts are catnip; avoid mature, sharp ears and seed pods.

Registered as non-toxic Grass

Ryegrass

Secale cereale

Young sprouts can be included in cat grass. Not the same as unknown lawn grass species.

Acutely dangerous Flowers

Lilies – real lilies

Lilium spp.

ACUTE: leaves, flowers, pollen and vase water can cause serious kidney damage. Even small exposures.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

ACUTE: same risk of life-threatening kidney damage in cats as Lilium.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Lily of the valley

Convallaria majalis

ACUTE: can affect the heart. Not the same kidney poison as true lilies.

Acutely dangerous · Houseplants

Sago palm / cycad

Cycas revoluta

ACUTE: can cause serious liver damage; seeds particularly dangerous.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Nerie

Nerium oleander

ACUTE: can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Harvest Timeless

Colchicum autumnale

ACUTE: can cause severe multi-organ toxicity. Not the same as common spring crocus.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Taks

Taxus baccata

ACUTE: can cause serious, rapidly occurring poisoning, especially cardiac effects.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Rhododendron / azalea

Rhododendron spp.

ACUTE: can affect the heart, circulatory system and nervous system.

Acutely dangerous Garden

Thimble

Digitalis purpurea

ACUTE: contains substances that affect the heart.

Should be avoided Flowers

Tulip

Tulipa spp.

Toxic, especially the bulb; keep away from home or cat area.

Should be avoided Flowers

Easter and Pentecost lilies

Narcissus spp.

Toxic, especially the onion; can cause serious stomach upset.

Should be avoided Flowers

Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis

Toxic, especially the onion; can cause salivation, vomiting and irritation.

AI-illustration af Amaryllis / ridderstjerne

Should be avoided Flowers

Amaryllis / star of the night

Hippeastrum spp.

Poisonous bulbous plant. Do not confuse with the kidney-damaging Lilium species.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Peace lily

Spathiphyllum spp.

Causes burning and irritation in the mouth and throat in particular; not the same kidney poison as Lilium.

AI-illustration af Monstera / fingerfilodendron

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Monstera / finger philodendron

Monstera deliciosa

Calcium oxalate crystals can cause severe irritation in the mouth.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Goldenrod

Epipremnum aureum

Irritates mucous membranes and may cause salivation/vomiting.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Irritating to mouth, tongue and throat.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia spp.

May cause painful irritation and swelling in the mouth.

AI-illustration af Alocasia / elefantøre

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Alocasia / elephant ear

Alocasia spp.

Contains irritating calcium oxalate crystals.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Aloe vera

Aloe vera

May cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Dracaena

Dracaena spp.

Toxic to cats; some are sold as bamboo or dragon bloodwood.

AI-illustration af Svigermors skarpe tunge

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Mother-in-law's sharp tongue

Dracaena trifasciata (syn. Sansevieria trifasciata)

May cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

AI-illustration af ZZ-plante / lykkebregne

Should be avoided · Houseplants

ZZ plant / lucky fern

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Irritating plant sap; should be avoided in cat homes.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Cyclamen / Cyclamen

Cyclamen persicum

Toxic; the tuber can be particularly dangerous.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Coral top

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Toxic; can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and, if ingested in large quantities, affect the heart.

Should be avoided · Garden

Hydrangea

Hydrangea spp.

Toxic and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Should be avoided · Garden

Ivy

Hedera helix

Toxic; leaves and berries can cause irritation and gastrointestinal symptoms.

AI-illustration af Benjaminfigen / ficus

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Benjamin fig / ficus

Ficus benjamina

May cause skin and gastrointestinal irritation.

Should be avoided Flowers

Pelargonium

Pelargonium spp.

Toxic to cats – should not be confused with some other plants called geranium.

Should be avoided Flowers

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum spp.

May cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.

AI-illustration af Purløg og andre løgplanter

Should be avoided · Herbs

Chives and other onion plants

Allium spp.

Onions, garlic, and chives are toxic and can damage red blood cells.

Should be avoided · Herbs

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Essential oils require extra caution.

Should be avoided · Garden

Spring crocus

Crocus spp.

Can cause stomach upset; do not confuse with highly toxic autumn primrose.

Should be avoided · Garden

Mistletoe

Viscum album

Toxic; especially berries and plant parts should be kept away.

Should be avoided · Garden

Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Berries and leaves can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Should be avoided · Garden

Christmas rose

Helleborus niger

Poisonous Christmas and winter flower. Not a true rose.

Should be avoided · Garden

Golden rain

Laburnum anagyroides

Poisonous shrub/tree; avoid in cat-proof gardens.

Should be avoided · Houseplants

Asparagus fern

Asparagus densiflorus

Not a true fern; may cause irritation and stomach upset.

Grass and cat-proof garden

What types of grass can cats nibble on?

Catnip from seeds

The most obvious choice is young sprouts grown indoors or in a cat-proof garden:

Hvede – Triticum aestivum
Havre – Oatmeal
Byg – Hordeum vulgare
Rug – Secale cereale

Sow in a clean tray with well-drained soil, use untreated seeds, and remove the grass if there is any sign of mold or rot. Catnip is an option for activation – not a necessary supplement to a complete food.

Lawns and ornamental grasses require care

Do not use unknown or recently treated lawn grass as "cat grass".
Keep your cat away from pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and snail poison according to the product's instructions.
Remove dry, prickly ears and seed pods. They can get stuck in skin, paws, ears and nose.
Never choose an unfamiliar ornamental grass species just because it looks like regular grass.
Avoid moldy cat litter trays and wash water/soil additives.

Names that can be deceiving

Five confusions worth knowing

Lilies are not just lilies

Lilium and Hemerocallis: serious risk of kidney failure. Lily of the valley: cardiotoxic. Peace lily: mucous membrane irritant. None of them are among the safe choices.

Palm trees, bamboo and ferns

Chamaedorea: non-toxic palm tree. Cycas: extremely poisonous "sago palm". Dracaena sanderiana: sold as "lucky bamboo" and is poisonous. Nephrolepis: non-toxic fern; Asparagus fern: should be avoided.

Always check the scientific name on the plant label. Trade names are used differently, and a common name can cover both safe and poisonous species.

If the cat has chewed on a suspected plant

Contact a veterinarian or veterinary emergency service immediately. In case of possible lily contact, do not wait for symptoms.
Remove the plant and prevent further contact, but avoid delaying help.
Take a picture of the plant and the label – or bring a safe sample – so the species can be identified.
Do not try to induce vomiting., and do not give salt, oil, medicine or household remedies without the vet's permission.
Indicate when the contact may have occurred and whether it involved pollen, leaves, bulbs, seeds or vase water.

Possible danger signals: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures. Absence of symptoms does not rule out poisoning.

This guide does not replace veterinary assessment, and the risk level is a practical classification – not a guarantee of the degree of poisoning in a specific case.

Knowledge and sources

Last updated October 20, 2026 · Birmakredsen

The list is compiled based on professional plant reference works and veterinary organizations. If in doubt about a specific species: look it up by botanical name in an updated plant encyclopedia, or ask your veterinarian.

The position of the Birmakredsen: A cat-proof garden, balcony or aviary can give your cat plenty of experiences without the risks of free-range play. Also read about a safe home and outdoor life.

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