Beyond catnip: 7 safe, cat-friendly plants to have at home

The quick-growing, fragrant, and nontoxic alyssum provides ground cover that cats love exploring and nestling in. Cats respond well to olfactory experiences, so your pet might like this flowering plant around the house or garden.

While cats are strict carnivores—meat provides all the nutrients they need—there are certain plants they enjoy munching, and cat grass is one of them.

Cat grass is a mixture of wheat, barley, oats, or rye seeds that are nontoxic to cats and can be grown indoors. It's easy to find it potted at plant and pet stores. In addition to finding pleasure in nibbling on the plant, cat grass can also serve as a diversion to prevent your pet from chewing on plants that might not be safe—or, more likely, from demolishing your houseplants.

If you have a cat that doesn't enjoy catnip, an alternative that can elicit the same kind of reaction is valerian root.

Humans have used valerian root throughout history for helping with anxiety and insomnia; however, it does not have the same calming effect on felines. The herb contains a compound called actinidine, a feline stimulant similar to nepetalactone—the active ingredient in catnip—and can be found in cat toys or sprinkled on top of food.

Like catnip, valerian root affects cats differently—some may not respond at all. It's important to note that it can make cats more aggressive, so keep an eye on your four-legged friend the first few times you offer it to them.

Consider a spider plant if your cat likes chewing on greenery. Cats seem to be attracted to the long leaves of these plants, possibly because they resemble grass, making them pleasant to bat and gnaw. But be aware that spider plants have a mild hallucinogenic effect on felines, so make sure to observe their behavior when you first introduce the plant into your home.

Silver vine's scent gets an even stronger response from cats than catnip: In a 2017 study, 80% of cats responded to silver vine compared with 68% to catnip.

A study published in 2021 found that silver vine's active ingredient nepetalactol releases dopamine by stimulating the reward and pleasure systems of the feline brain. The effect is comparable to opioids in humans, but don't worry—cats can't get addicted to nepetalactol. The plant also has an added benefit: It acts as a natural insect repellent when cats rub against it.

Like spider plants and alyssum, hoyas are a great nontoxic option for sprucing up your decor. These waxy-leaved plants can creep up a trellis if planted outdoors, and their vines may snake outside their pots indoors, which gives them a lovely aesthetic in the house.

Hoyas are safe for cats to bat and chew, but be mindful of how much they consume. Since cats are obligate carnivores, overeating any plant can cause them to vomit. Don't be alarmed if this happens—even if it upsets their stomach a little, this plant is not harmful to your kitty.

In a 2017 study, the woody shrub Tatarian honeysuckle invoked the same effects as catnip in felines that didn't respond to the popular plant. Like catnip, Tatarian honeysuckle may make cats more playful and hyperactive or have the opposite effect and make them more relaxed and sleepy. You can find toys and sprays derived from the wood of Tatarian honeysuckle, but it's important to note that the plant's berries, flowers, and leaves are toxic to cats.

If you'd like to try Tatarian honeysuckle for your cat, buy products made from the plant rather than growing your own.