Can Cats Eat Spider Plants?

Spider plants and cats: what the ASPCA actually says

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are non-toxic to cats according to the ASPCA, but they contain compounds chemically similar to opium alkaloids that can cause mild hallucinogenic effects and stomach upset when eaten. Non-toxic means it won’t cause organ damage — it does not mean no symptoms.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which maintains the most comprehensive database of plant toxicity for US pet owners, lists spider plants as non-toxic to cats and dogs. This is the correct classification. Spider plants will not cause liver damage, kidney failure, or cardiac symptoms the way actually toxic houseplants can.

However, “non-toxic” is a specific medical term that many pet owners misread as “completely harmless.” Spider plants are not completely harmless to cats that eat them in quantity.

The practical distinction for US pet owners: a cat that chews on a spider plant occasionally and then vomits once does not need emergency veterinary care. A cat that eats large amounts repeatedly or develops symptoms lasting more than 12 hours should be seen by a vet.

For a broader list of common houseplants that are genuinely toxic to cats — including pothos, peace lily, and oleander — see our plants toxic to cats guide.

Why cats eat spider plants

Cats target spider plants more consistently than they target most other houseplants. The reason is chemical, not coincidental.

Spider plants contain compounds that are structurally related to opium alkaloids, according to research cited by the ASPCA. These compounds are not opiates — they are present at very low concentrations — but they produce mild psychoactive effects in cats that are similar to catnip.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) works on about 50–70% of cats via a response to the compound nepetalactone. Spider plant compounds work through a slightly different mechanism, but the behavioral response is comparable: rubbing against the plant, chewing, rolling, and returning to the plant repeatedly.

This is why a cat may ignore other houseplants entirely and go straight for the spider plant. It’s seeking the effect, not the flavor.

What happens when a cat eats a spider plant

The response varies by how much the cat eats and by individual cat sensitivity. Most cats fall into one of three patterns:

Pattern 1: Sniffs, rubs, chews briefly, walks away No symptoms. The cat got a mild sensory experience and moved on. This is the most common outcome for cats that sample spider plants without eating significant leaf material.

Pattern 2: Eats several leaves or a runner, then vomits once Mild stomach upset, single vomiting episode, cat returns to normal within 1–2 hours. This is common in cats that eat a meaningful amount. The vomiting clears the plant material and the cat feels fine. No treatment needed unless symptoms recur or persist.

Pattern 3: Eats large amounts repeatedly over time More pronounced GI upset, possible continued vomiting, lethargy. This is uncommon but happens with cats that have unrestricted access and strong interest. These cats benefit from having the plant removed or permanently placed out of reach.

Symptoms that require a vet call:

• Vomiting lasting more than 12 hours
• Lethargy beyond 12 hours after eating
• Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
• Visible distress or abnormal behavior beyond the mild euphoric phase

If you’re unsure whether your cat has eaten something more toxic than a spider plant, you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center directly at 888-426-4435. The hotline charges a consultation fee but provides specific guidance on your situation.

Are spider plant babies (plantlets) also a risk?

The small plantlets that hang on long runners from a mature spider plant contain the same compounds as the parent. From a toxicity standpoint, they present the same mild risk.

In practical terms, the plantlets may actually increase a cat’s attraction to the plant — they dangle at the end of arching runners, moving with air currents, and functioning almost like cat toys. Cats often target the runners specifically, which is how they reach and consume the plantlets.

The plantlets are where spider plant propagation happens — see our spider plant babies guide for how to root and grow them. If you’re propagating spider plants, keep the plantlets out of cat reach during the rooting process.

How to keep cats away from spider plants

Method 1: Hang from the ceiling (most effective)

Install a ceiling hook screw in a stud or with a toggle bolt, and hang the spider plant in a macramé hanger or wire basket from the ceiling. Cats almost never reach ceiling-hung plants. Even cats that can jump 5–6 feet vertically rarely target plants that require them to jump to a precise point on a moving hook.

This is the most reliable method by a significant margin. It also works aesthetically — spider plants are visually appealing as hanging plants and the trailing runners have room to cascade without touching shelving or countertops.

The one limitation: ceiling hooks require a ceiling light fixture or a stud to anchor to safely. A toggle bolt in drywall will hold a small spider plant (under 5 lbs total with pot and soil) but you need to verify your ceiling construction first.

Method 2: Place on a wall-mounted shelf with no cat access

A shelf mounted high on a wall — 6 feet or higher — with no nearby furniture, counters, or other shelves that cats can jump from to reach it. Spider plants placed on high shelves without adjacent launch points are usually out of reach.

The failure mode: any furniture within 4–5 feet of the shelf. Cats will find the path.

Method 3: Use a room the cat doesn’t access

The simplest approach if the plant doesn’t need to be in a specific location. A home office with a door that stays closed, a bathroom the cat doesn’t use, or a bedroom the cat is excluded from all work as cat-free plant zones.

The failure mode: plants need light. If the cat-free room doesn’t have adequate light for the plant, you’re trading one problem for another.

Method 4: Spray deterrents

Commercial cat repellent sprays (citrus-based or bitter-apple-based) can deter cats from specific surfaces. Apply to the pot, shelf, or surrounding area rather than directly to the plant.

Effectiveness is inconsistent. Many cats are deterred by citrus scent initially, then acclimate within 1–2 weeks. Cats that are strongly attracted to the euphoric compounds in spider plants often push through scent deterrents.

Reapplication is required every few days for sprays to remain effective.

Comparison: spider plants vs. actually toxic houseplants

Spider plants cause mild upset. Several other common US houseplants cause serious harm. Knowing the difference matters:

True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are the most dangerous houseplant for cats in the US. Even small exposures — a cat chewing on a leaf or drinking water from a lily vase — can cause acute kidney failure. If you have cats, do not keep true lilies in your home.

The plants toxic to cats guide covers the full list of houseplants that veterinary toxicologists classify as toxic for cats, with severity ratings and symptom descriptions.

For pet-safe houseplants that cats can chew on without concern, the snake plant care guide covers a plant that is mildly toxic to cats but rarely causes serious problems. A better choice for cat households is a true non-toxic option — the spider plant babies guide mentions several safe alternatives.

What to do if your cat eats a spider plant today

1. Remove the cat from the plant and note the time.
2. Estimate how much was eaten. A few chewed leaf tips is different from half the plant eaten.
3. Watch for 12 hours. Mild vomiting within the first 2 hours is the most common response. Most cats recover without treatment.
4. Do not induce vomiting at home. Hydrogen peroxide, the traditional at-home emetic, can cause hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in cats. Only a vet should induce vomiting.
5. Call your vet if vomiting continues past 12 hours, the cat is lethargic, or symptoms seem disproportionate to the amount eaten.
6. For emergencies, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number is 888-426-4435 (available 24/7; fee applies).

Spider plants rarely cause outcomes requiring emergency care. But the call log and symptom record you maintain in those first 12 hours is exactly what a vet will ask for if you do need to go in.