Some plants that are toxic to cats are also harmful to humans if ingested, such as sago palm, aloe vera, peace lily, and dieffenbachia, to name a few. These plants are also not safe around babies, especially infants and toddlers that like to put everything within hand’s reach in their mouths. Many of the same plants that are toxic to cats are also not safe around dogs. Here are some popular houseplants that you should avoid if you have cats.

Toxic Properties: Unknown what the toxin is in the plant Safe Alternative: Orchids

Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates Safe Alternative: Cast iron plants

Toxic Properties: Saponins, anthraquinone Safe Alternative: Haworthia

Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates Safe Alternative: Prayer plant

Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates Safe Alternative: Spider plant

Toxic Properties: Unknown cause of toxicity but all parts of the plant can cause reactions in cats Safe Alternative: Peperomia

Toxic Properties: Saponins Safe Alternative: Rattlesnake plant

Toxic Properties: Cycasin Safe Alternative: Areca palm

Toxic Properties: Triterpenoid saponins Safe Alternative: Swedish ivy

Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme Safe Alternative: Staghorn fern

Toxic Properties: Bufodienolides Safe Alternative: Sedum

Toxic Properties: Cardenolides Safe Alternative: Spiderwort

Toxic Properties: Possibly narcissus-like alkaloids like lycorine and calcium oxalate raphides Safe Alternative: Common lilac

Toxic properties: Cardiac glycosides Safe Alternative: St. John’s wort

Toxic properties: Taxine Safe Alternative: Common juniper

Toxic properties: Tulipalin A and B Safe Alternative: Roses

Toxic properties: Lycorine, other phenanthridine alkaloids, and calcium oxalate crystals Safe Alternative: Nasturtium

Toxic properties: Possibly hydrocyanic acid Safe Alternative: Bromeliads

Toxic properties: Sesquiterpene, lactones, pyrethrins, and other potential irritants Safe Alternative: Marigold

Toxic properties: Diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents Safe Alternative: Polka dot plant