Who doesn’t love a bouquet of fresh flowers brightening up their home? Or a garden in full bloom.
But not all flowers are safe for your cat. And when you have flowers in and around your house, your cats will likely smell them, rub against them, and even try and eat them! So here’s a list of cat-safe flowers that will look stunning in your favourite vase or garden.
20 Non-Toxic Flowers For Cats
A toxic plant can cause all sorts of health issues for your cats, from mild stomach upset to vomiting and kidney failure. Luckily, there are a lot of pet-safe flowers to pick from. Make a beautiful bouquet with the following non-toxic flowers, or add some colour to your garden.
Aster
With its delicate petals, Aster is a perennial flower that blooms in late summer or autumn. They look like daisies and come in stunning shades of lilac, blue, pink, purple, and red. Outdoor plants are sure to draw in butterflies, with cut flowers lasting anywhere between 5 to 10 days.
Orchid
With their unique and fascinating shape, orchids are a statement flower and completely cat-safe. Perfect for any bouquet, orchids come in every colour of the rainbow! Their sweet-smelling fragrance will remind you of vanilla. Hardy potted plants and orchids also flourish indoors. These beautiful flowers symbolise friendship and new beginnings, making them an ideal gift!
Rose
Roses are the most common flower choice and for a good reason. Stunning to look at, with over 150 species and a wide variety of beautiful shades, they’re the most popular selection for any bouquet. The sweet fragrance of roses will brighten up any room. They’re also not toxic to cats!
Zinnia
Zinnias are annuals that grow quickly and are easy to care for. Round with daisy-like petals, they come in bright colours like pink, purple, yellow, orange, and white. Great for adding a pop of colour to a bouquet! However, they have no scent.
African Violet
Beautiful ruffled petals set apart the African Violet from other flowers. They’re non-toxic to cats and some of the easiest houseplants to care for. You can expect white, blue, and purple flower clusters set on a leafy base. Lovely to look at, African Violets are entirely scentless.
Lilac
Unlike most cat-safe, scentless flowers, lilacs have a strong romantic fragrance. Their rich floral scent carries hints of vanilla and rose. Commonly white, purple, or magenta, lilacs make beautiful scented bouquets. Where white lilacs symbolise purity, the magenta variations represent love and passion.
Sunflower
No flower is as vibrant as the sunflower. With their bold yellow petals, sunflowers are known for being happy flowers. They have a light, earthy scent and symbolize adoration. This is not a toxic flower, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your cats safe with a potted sunflower in the house.
Jasmine
A bowl of jasmine flowers will fill your home with a rich, sweet fragrance that will calm your mind. These delicate flowers symbolise love and beauty in many cultures. Jasmine is the best flower for cat guardians who want an aromatic experience. The tiny white flowers stay fresh for up to a week with the proper care.
Hibiscus
Although a slightly unusual selection, hibiscus is a beautiful pet-friendly flower. They’re unsuitable as cut flowers, but you can place a pot near your sunniest window. Their ruffled petals come in shades of orange, yellow, red, and pink with a mild tropical fragrance.
Marigold
Marigolds are safe plants and won’t harm your cat. They have a stark, pungent smell that can be off-putting for your cat’s sensitive nose. These bright yellow flowers will bring life and joy to your home.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons or dragon flowers have a fascinating long-stemmed shape. They’re easy to grow and come in a range of bright colours. Easy to grow, especially in cold areas, these flowers bloom in early spring and late fall. Safe for pets, snapdragons have a mild fruity smell that may remind you of bubblegum. This delicate fragrance won’t overpower your room or your cat’s sensitive nose!
Peruvian Lily
Many lilies are highly toxic for dogs and cats, but the Peruvian Lily is an exception to this rule. With their fascinating shape, and colors ranging from yellows and oranges to pinks and purples, Peruvian Lilies are an excellent addition to any bouquet. They symbolise devotion and friendship, making them a lovely gift. Peruvian Lilies are also popular as cut flowers because they last longer.
Bachelor’s Button
Bachelor’s button, or cornflower, is a stunning blue flower with delicate petals. A lovely addition to any bouquet, they’re popular as cut flowers, although you can also plant them in your garden beds.
Forget Me Not
The tiny pink and blue clusters of forget-me-nots have a unique, delicate beauty that appeals to many flower lovers. They’re cat safe, so you can plant them in your garden or cut flowers in a vase. That said, forget-me-nots are almost entirely scentless, which can be a plus for many cat guardians.
Gerbera Daisies
Gerbera daisies are large stunning flowers often seen in shades of salmon or orange. They have no scent and are safe for cats to be around. Another popular cut flower, gerberas, will look stunning in any arrangement. They symbolise happiness, loyalty, and love, making them an ideal gift. Gerberas are also available in shades like yellow, white, pink, red, and lavender.
Last Thoughts on Cat Safe Flowers
When you have cats, you must be incredibly careful about the plants and flowers you bring into your home. You never know what your pet may be allergic to, and it’s safe to assume they will want to sniff and explore everything in their vicinity.
While this is not a complete list of all the safe flowers for cats, it’ll give you many options.
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