Best Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

You want a lush, plant-filled home. But your cat nibbles everything, and your dog has been known to taste-test the greenery.

Good news: plenty of beautiful houseplants are completely safe for pets. Here are the best options—and which ones to avoid.

Top 15 Pet-Safe Houseplants

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Extremely easy to grow
• Thrives in low to bright indirect light
• Air-purifying
• Produces baby plants (spiderettes)

Caution: While non-toxic, cats are attracted to spider plants and may vomit from overeating.

2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Lush, feathery fronds
• Air-purifying
• Great for hanging baskets (out of reach)
• Non-toxic to dogs and cats

Care: Likes humidity and indirect light.

3. African Violet (Saintpaulia)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Compact and colorful
• Blooms frequently
• Safe for all pets
• Doesn't need direct sun

Perfect for: Small spaces, windowsills

4. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Tropical look
• Air-purifying
• Safe for dogs and cats
• Can grow quite large

Also called: Butterfly palm, golden cane palm

5. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Tolerates low light
• Compact size
• Pet-safe
• Classic, elegant look

Perfect for: Offices, rooms without much natural light

6. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Huge variety of colors and patterns
• Compact
• Non-toxic
• Easy care

Varieties: Watermelon peperomia, ripple peperomia, baby rubber plant

7. Calathea (Calathea spp.)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Stunning leaf patterns
• Pet-safe
• Prayer plant family (leaves move!)
• Thrives in low to medium light

Note: Can be finicky about humidity.

8. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Colorful spotted leaves
• Non-toxic
• Compact and fun
• Works in medium light

9. Haworthia

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Succulent (easy care)
• Non-toxic (unlike many succulents)
• Compact
• Tolerates low light better than most succulents

Unlike aloe, haworthia is pet-safe.

10. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Nearly indestructible
• Thrives on neglect
• Low light tolerant
• Pet-safe

Perfect for: Forgetful plant owners

11. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Tropical vibes
• Air-purifying
• Pet-safe
• Can grow tall

Not to be confused with: Lucky bamboo (which is also pet-safe)

12. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Beautiful blooms
• Non-toxic
• Long-lived
• Blooms in winter when you need color

13. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Trailing vine (great for hanging)
• Pet-safe
• Easy care
• Fast growing

14. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)

Pet-safe? ✅ Yes

Why it's great:

• Textured, interesting leaves
• Non-toxic
• Compact
• Easy to propagate

15. Herbs (Some)

Pet-safe herbs ✅:

• Basil
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Thyme
• Rosemary (low toxicity, safe in small amounts)

Bonus: You can use them in cooking!

Plants That Are TOXIC to Pets

Highly Dangerous (Often Fatal)

Lilies (Lilium spp.): ALL parts are fatal to cats. Even pollen can cause kidney failure.

Sago Palm: Extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Fatal in small amounts.

Oleander: Highly toxic to all animals.

Autumn Crocus: Can cause multi-organ failure.

Common Toxic Houseplants

Pothos: Popular but toxic if ingested. Causes mouth irritation and drooling.

Philodendrons: Contain calcium oxalate crystals. Painful for pets.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane): Severe mouth swelling.

Snake Plant (Mother-in-law's Tongue): Mild toxicity but can cause vomiting.

Jade Plant: Toxic to dogs and cats.

Aloe Vera: Toxic to pets (ironically, great for humans).

Peace Lily: Contains calcium oxalates. Causes oral irritation.

Rubber Plant: Mildly toxic.

ZZ Plant: Toxic to pets.

Seasonal Dangers

Poinsettias: Mildly toxic (overblown reputation, but still avoid)

Holly and mistletoe: Toxic

Amaryllis: Toxic (especially bulbs)

Creating a Pet-Safe Plant Space

Hanging Plants

Put plants in hanging baskets out of reach. Good options:

• Spider plant
• Boston fern
• Swedish ivy

High Shelves

Cats climb, but strategic placement helps:

• Secure shelves cats can't reach
• Plant stands with no climbing access

Dedicated Plant Room

If you have the space, a plant room with a door cats/dogs can't open is ideal.

Deterrents

• Citrus peels around plants (cats hate citrus)
• Bitter apple spray on leaves
• Double-sided tape around pots
• Large rocks covering soil (prevents digging)

What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Plant

Identify the Plant

Know what your pet ate. Take a photo, bring a sample, or find the label.

Call for Guidance

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 (fee applies) Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 (fee applies)

They'll advise if veterinary care is needed.

Watch for Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Breathing problems

Seek veterinary care if symptoms appear.

At the Vet

Bring:

• Sample of plant (or photo)
• Information about amount eaten
• Timeline

The Bottom Line

You can have beautiful plants AND safe pets:

1. Choose from the pet-safe list
2. Remove or relocate toxic plants
3. Use hanging baskets and high shelves
4. Know the ASPCA poison control number
5. Act quickly if ingestion occurs

A green home and happy pets aren't mutually exclusive—you just need to choose wisely.

Related: How to Pet-Proof Your Home Related: Emergency Vet vs Regular Vet

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my pet eats a toxic plant?

Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth, identify the plant if possible, and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or your emergency vet immediately. Don't induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to by a professional, as some toxins cause more damage coming back up. Time is critical with plant poisoning, so don't wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help.

Are succulents safe for cats and dogs?

Many common succulents like Haworthia and Echeveria are non-toxic to pets, but some popular varieties are harmful. Aloe vera can cause vomiting and diarrhea, jade plants are toxic to both cats and dogs, and kalanchoe contains cardiac glycosides that are dangerous if ingested. Always verify each specific succulent species on the ASPCA's toxic plant database before bringing it home.

Can I keep toxic plants if I put them on high shelves away from pets?

This strategy works better for dogs than cats, since cats can climb to virtually any surface in your home. Even on high shelves, falling leaves or knocked-over pots can bring toxic plant material within reach. If you're determined to keep a toxic plant, consider hanging planters with no nearby jumping surfaces for cats, or keeping the plant in a room your pet never enters.