There are two things we love deeply in life: plants and pets. So that’s why we’re on the lookout for pet-friendly plants that won't threaten your fur babies if they take a nibble. For the uninitiated, yep, certain plants can be toxic to pets when ingested, sometimes causing seizures, tremors, or worse. Even the most well-behaved animals are bound to take a bite of a houseplant at some point, so we reached out to New Jersey veterinarian Judy Morgan for her advice on how to select ones that won’t harm the four-legged friends in our lives. We also chatted with Paris Lalicata, head of plant education and community at The Sill, who offered useful insight about the advantages of the plants on this list.
Since we strongly endorse adding greenery to your home to clean your air and improve your mood while also making sure your furry friends are safe and sound, we’ve gathered 28 of our favorite pet-safe plants that are kosher for cats and dogs. We also included all of the tips you’ll need to keep your new pet-friendly plants happy in your home environment.
PS: If you’re ever curious as to whether a certain indoor plant is a safe investment for your home, the ASPCA also has an extensive list of plants to avoid (including both indoor and outdoor plants). And if you already have an idea of which plants you want in your space, look for their names in the guide below for some helpful hints on how to tend to them.
1. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Pros:
- Fun, unique foliage
- Rewarding to grow
Cons:
- Tend to grow asymmetrically unless you’re diligent about rotating them
The Chinese money plant is nontoxic, quirky, and it sprouts babies like nobody’s business. And guess what? Those babies are called “pups.” How charming. The coin-like leaves are waxy and shiny and are perfectly satisfied in medium to bright light. And when you see the pups starting to pop up, propagate them and give them to your friends.
Care instructions:
Water your pilea every week or two, and rotate it 180 degrees every time you water so it grows more symmetrically.
2. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Pros:
- Hardy, resilient plants
- Fast growers
Cons:
- Can outgrow your space
Legend has it, money tree plants bring good luck and good fortune to anyone whose space they inhabit, which makes them excellent housewarming gifts for all of your friends. “The money tree is prized for its vibrant green leaves and braided trunk that is believed to bring good luck to its owner,” Lalicata confirms. “It’s also a low-maintenance companion, thriving in indirect light and the occasional watering.”
Care instructions:
Money trees are quite resilient, so if your cat swats at it or your dog’s tail knocks it off its perch, it’ll be just fine. Place yours in medium to bright indirect light and water it every one or two weeks.
3. Hoya varieties
Pros:
- Many varieties of all different shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from
- Resilient
Cons:
- Slow growers
Hoyas, with their thick leaves and woody stems, make lovely additions to any higher-light rooms in your home. There are dozens of varieties to choose from, and all of them should be treated more like succulents than your traditional leafy houseplants. We’re partial to the hoya carnosa for its splashes of pink, white, and red in the developing leaves. You can also find heart-shaped hoyas, varieties with skinny, tubular leaves (called Hoya linearis), and even hoyas with curly leaves that look almost like ribbons.
Care instructions:
If your hoya is in a bright corner, it will need more frequent watering. Hoyas can tolerate low light, but they will grow much faster (and variegated varieties will have more vibrant color) in higher light situations. That said, if your hoya is in a low light area, it only needs watering about once per month. If the leaves begin to feel thin, look wrinkly, and have lost their slight sheen, it's time to water.
4. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
Pros:
- Beautiful, wavy leaves
- Easy to tell when they need care
Cons:
- On the finicky side when it comes to light and watering schedule
With wavy, polka-dotted leaves, bold colors, and an easy watering schedule, the rattlesnake plant (a.k.a. Calathea lancifola) a great addition to a low-light living room. “Much like other prayer plants, their dramatic, patterned leaves ‘dance’ as they move up and down in response to light, a phenomenon known as nyctinasty,” explains Lalicata. Can you imagine that funky purple on the undersides of the leaves against your midcentury chair? We can.
Care instructions:
Rattlesnake plants grow best in a loose, fast-draining soil that you can fertilize monthly (though hold off in the fall and winter). These guys thrive when placed away from direct light, in an ideal temperature range of 70–80 degrees. They’ll need watering when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch; they also enjoy a spritz if their leaves are looking dry.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Pros:
- Air purifying characteristics
- Very hard to kill
Cons:
- Grow like weeds
A favorite among veterinarians, this plant is easy to grow indoors and incredibly resilient (yes, even to your black thumb!). Spider plants are also great air purifiers, so they can help get rid of your home’s toxins.
Care instructions:
Spider plants don’t like direct sunlight (it scorches their leaves). Though they’ll tolerate lower light conditions, indirect bright light in temperatures of 60–80 degrees is where they flourish best.
6. Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
Pros:
- Several different varieties to pick from
- Good for beginners
Cons:
- Requires lots of light if you want it to grow quickly
Don't get the baby rubber plant confused with a rubber tree (ficus elastica). The peperomia obtusifolia has thick, waxy leaves with big personality. You can find bright green versions or variegated ones that have splashes of light and dark green.
Care instructions:
Though the baby rubber plant prefers medium to high light situations, it will tolerate low light (it will just grow a bit more slowly). Water it weekly, or whenever you notice the soil is very dry.
7. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Pros:
- Big, fluffy foliage
- Statement plant for larger rooms
Cons:
- Prone to pests like spider mites
“The parlor palm is loved not only for its charm, but also for its resilience” Lalicata says. While some palms can be tricky to care for indoors, the parlor palm is low-maintenance, thriving in low light while still maintaining a lush appearance.” Stick one on a credenza or nightstand that’s not too close to a window, as this palm needs only a few hours of indirect light a day.
Care instructions:
Parlor palms are naturally slow growers that take several years to reach three to four feet tall. As we said, keep this guy out of direct sunlight and keep his soil evenly moist for the best results.
8. Calathea orbifolia
Pros:
- Can thrive in lower-light conditions
- Beautiful leaves that look hand-painted
Cons:
- Ideal for plant pros, as it’s finicky about water and light
The leaf pattern on this particular Calathea is exquisite, if you ask us. This houseplant needs partial shade, which makes it perfect for a plant stand or a shelf in a bedroom that doesn’t get much natural light.
Care instructions:
We mentioned that Calatheas don’t love the sun (it burns their leaves), but a regular watering schedule will also make sure your plant stays healthy and hydrated, as will keeping it in a room with temperatures of 60–80 degrees (nothing below 55 degrees). It also enjoys ample humidity, so consider regular misting or keeping it near a humidifier.
9. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Pros:
- Set it and forget it kind of plant
- Funky shape
Cons:
- Not for overly-attentive plant parents
The ponytail palm, a.k.a. Beaucarnea recurvata, has so much character your pet might want to befriend it. Or swat at its draping fronds.
Care instructions:
Ponytail palms are ideal for the notoriously plant-phobic: They only need to be fertilized two to three times a year. They require dry soil, so be sure not to give them too much water.
10. (Certain) Succulents
Pros:
- Fast growers in bright light
- Need very little water (except air plants—bathe them weekly)
Cons:
- Will die quickly if overwatered
Add some pet-friendly succulents—like Haworthia, Echeveria, or a group of air plants—to your countertop, and you’re golden. “Pet-friendly succulents are easy-to-care-for additions to any space, as long as you have enough sunlight,” Lalicata says. “They come in a variety of shapes and colors, so you’re bound to find one that’s perfect for you. Air plants, for example, have the ability to thrive without soil and are great for creative displays like hanging or mounting.”
Care instructions:
Though you won’t have to do too much to care for these popular houseplants, you’ll want to make sure they get plenty of direct sunlight and light watering every two or so weeks. Make sure the soil is dry before you whip out the watering can.
11. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Pros:
- Satisfied with low light
- Hardy and resilient
Cons:
- Leaves get crispy easily (yes, even when they're happy)
This squiggly green fern thrives on the low light and varying humidity conditions that characterize bathrooms. Your tooth-brushing routine just got so much prettier.
Care instructions:
Keep your bird’s nest fern in loose, fast-draining soil and fertilize monthly in the spring and summer. These plants can survive comfortably in temperatures of 60–80 degrees. Give yours a thorough watering when the soil on top feels dry to the touch.
12. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
Pros:
- Eats your annoying pests
- It’s very cool to tell your friends you have carnivorous plants
Cons:
- Require pure water and high humidity
Not only is this plant pet-friendly, it’s also super low-maintenance. Keep your Venus flytrap happy by placing it somewhere that gets at least four hours of direct sunlight and watering it with distilled water. For soil, opt for peat moss or sphagnum moss. Placing the plant on a porch is ideal, as it can feed itself with passerby flies. It needs only one to two insects per month to sustain itself.
Care instructions:
Venus flytraps require some form of pure water, so in addition to distilled, reverse osmosis or rainwater should also work great. It’s also best not to let your plant dry out—the soil around its base should be damp to the touch. You can place it in a terrarium if you're worried that you'll forget to keep up with the watering schedule.
13. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Pros:
- Can be placed outdoors in warmer climates or seasons
- Make an excellent hanging statement plant
Cons:
- Requires damp soil
The beautiful Boston fern is also on the lower end of the maintenance spectrum, since it requires food only every two months. Your kitty can bat at the ferns all he wants and your puppy can even take a bite—this plant is safe for cats and dogs.
Care instructions:
Keep these in a cool place with indirect light and high humidity. For extra humidity, you might want to set the fern’s pot in a tray of pebbles filled with water as well as misting its green leaves twice a week. Just make sure that soil stays plenty damp!
14. Polka Dot Plant
Pros:
- Beautiful, colorful leaves
- Great for intermediate plant parents
Cons:
- Doesn’t grow very large
This striking plant grows up to three feet tall outdoors in its native Madagascar. In a pot inside your home, however, the spotted beauty grows to only about 10 inches tall.
Care instructions:
According to The Spruce, these exotic plants like bright, indirect light and a moderate amount of moisture in the soil at all times. Keep temperatures at 70–80 degrees and feed once a month during the growing season.
15. Watermelon Peperomia
Pros:
- Easy to please
- Cute, waxy leaves
Cons:
- Sunburn when placed in prolonged, direct sunlight
The Peperomia family includes many varieties, but we’re partial to the Watermelon (a quick look at its leaves makes it clear how it got its name). They prefer to be kept out of direct sunlight and don’t need a ton of watering to stay happy.
Care instructions:
Though it won’t need too much hydration, you’ll want to water your peperomia when the top inch or two of the soil is dry to the touch. Keep it in temperatures of 65–80 degrees.
16. Orchid (Orchidaceae)
Pros:
- Stunning varieties
- Long-lasting flowers
Cons:
- Finicky with water and sunlight
Few plants lend elegance to a room like an orchid. Luckily, you can add one to your home without posing a threat to your pooch. “It is a great flowering option to keep in the home around pets,” Lalicata notes. “Orchids showcase stunning flowers that last for months at a time, making them a truly rewarding plant to care for.” They do best in partial light. Water once a week during the winter, and twice a week in hotter months.
Care instructions:
This breed of orchid native to Asia naturally does best in indirectly bright, warm, humid spots. It will typically bloom about once a year for up to three months, after which the flowers will die off, but the blooms will return next season. If you notice the leaves yellowing, you might be overwatering or over-sunning.
17. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)
Pros:
- Striking, firm leaves
- Many ways to display and pot them
Cons:
- Has higher light requirements
This fern, which grows wild in Australia, has two different kinds of fronds. The pet-friendly plant can be potted, mounted on a wall, or hung in a basket. The staghorn fern will do well in any room with bright or indirect light, but never in a dark room. Depending on the weather and humidity, you can water it every one to three weeks (the more humidity, the less you need to water it). If you place it in a bathroom, you’ll need to water and mist it only every three weeks.
Care instructions:
Keep your staghorn ferns in a loose, fast-draining soil in temperatures of 60–80 degrees.
18. Bromeliad
Pros:
- Create a tropical vibe in any space
- Blooms can last for months
Cons:
- Needs plenty of humidity to truly thrive
If you want bring a tropical vibe to your space, look no further than a bright bromeliad. Bromeliads, which have blooms that can last up to a few months, will liven up any room you put them in. They need plenty of air flow, so we suggest an open area with windows and indirect sunlight, such as a living room, kitchen, or bedroom.
Care instructions:
Bright, indirect light will ensure your bromeliads will flower to their best ability, as will a thorough watering every one to two months. If your home is really dry, make sure you’re misting your plant often, or keep it near a humidifier.
19. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Pros:
- Full-bodied trailing foliage
- Will tell you with wilting leaves when it needs water
Cons:
- More detailed light and watering requirements
This plant’s dripping tendrils were practically designed to attract cats. Even if you place this high up in an indoor hanging basket, your clever kitty just may find a way to get to it. But don’t worry—it can’t hurt her.
Care instructions:
In addition to being safe for pet owners, this is also a good choice for beginner green thumbs. Choose a location where temperatures are 70–80 degrees with filtered light and keep the soil moist. If this plant gets thirsty, it will start wilting immediately, so water regularly!
20. Other Calathea Varieties
Pros:
- Many beautiful varieties
- Don’t require much light
Cons:
- Finicky
All calathea plants are safe for pets, and that's great news—because there’s a wide array to be found. The peacock plant has a combination of thick, paintbrush-like strokes and pinstripes of different colors, while the calathea medallion has rounder leaves and details that look like watercolor.
Care instructions:
Calatheas have quite the reputation. And it’s true, they can be finicky, but once you sweet spot with light and watering, you’re in the clear. When you notice the leaves start to curl up, it’s time to water. If you can, use distilled water, and if the leaves look brown and crispy, move it farther away from direct light.
21. Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
Pros:
- Fun and funky cactus variety
- You can find ones with rounded or pointy leaves
Cons:
- Needs more water than traditional cacti
We love this funky little succulent—and your pets will too. The fishbone cactus is one of the best pet-safe houseplants for beginners not only because it won't send your babies to the vet, but because it’s so easy to care for. It pushes out plenty of curvy leaves that look great hanging in any window.
Care instructions:
Yes, this is a cactus, but it needs a bit more water than other varieties that store water for weeks (if not months). When you notice the leaves of your fishbone cactus getting wrinkly, give it a thorough watering and watch it plump back up. Keep it in bright light and water it every week or two.
22. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Pros:
- Statement-making
- Will tell you with curling leaves when they need watering
Cons:
- Require frequent watering and higher light conditions
Rounding out our list of plants that are safe for cats and dogs is the prayer plant, or maranta. With its eye-catching leaves and elegant coloration, it’s bound to make your pet curious about its beauty.
Care instructions:
Care will vary depending on what type of prayer plant you have, but they generally prefer bright, indirect sunlight and temperatures of 65–85 degrees. You’ll want to feed your plant once a month in spring and summer with fertilizer; water when the top 25% of the soil is dry.
23. Rhipsalis
Pros:
- Acts as a natural air purifier
- Tolerant of drought
Cons:
- Can cause mild irritation to sensitive skin
Also known as the mistletoe cacti, the Rhipsalis is “an exotic, pet-friendly option that plant parents often forget about,” says Lalicata. “The Rhipsalis has delicate, trailing stems and an otherworldly appearance. Unlike most cacti, they thrive better in indirect light and high humidity.” They also grow slowly, which means they don’t require frequent repotting or pruning.
Care instructions:
Bright, indirect light is ideal for the Rhipsalis, so it belongs a few feet away from a window. You should water it once a week, if possible, but it can survive a drought if one comes along (or if you forget to hydrate). If its tendrils wrinkle and pucker, you’ll know your Rhipsalis is thirsty. Just be careful not to overwater it.
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24. Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
Pros:
- Silver-green leaves
Cons:
- Needs lots of bright, direct sunlight
If you have a south- or west-facing window in need of a plant companion, consider a light-loving, pet-friendly olive tree. “Olive trees are great for adding Mediterranean charm to any indoor space,” notes Lalicata. “They are adored for their silver-green leaves—which also make great additions to bouquets!”
Care instructions:
The olive tree requires six to eight hours of bright, direct sunlight per day. In the fall and winter, you may want to invest in a full-spectrum grow light to keep your olive tree thriving. Water weekly, allowing the top couple inches of soil to fully dry before re-hydrating.
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25. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Pros:
- Enchanting heart-shaped leaves
- Easy to propagate
Cons:
- Prone to pests like mealybugs and aphids
Busy pet owners love the string of hearts, which can withstand a bit of neglect (unlike kittens and pups!). It’s a romantic plant with “cascading, heart-shaped leaves on trailing vines that can grow up to several feet long under the right conditions,” says Lalicata. It’s perfect for a high-up shelf, mantel, or hanging basket so that its draping vines can really show off.
Care instructions:
Place it in bright, indirect light and water weekly or fortnightly and your string of hearts will be set for success. Look out for droopy leaves, which could be a sign it needs more light or less water. You can propagate your string of hearts by cutting off a trailing vine and placing it in a cup of water.
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26. Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Pros:
- Thrives in low light
- Well-suited for hallways and bathrooms
Cons:
- Sunlight can scorch the leaves
“As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is incredibly resilient and can withstand a variety of conditions, making it perfect for beginners or those with a busy lifestyle,” says Lalicata. The cast iron plant prefers low light, so it can enliven darker areas like hallways, bathrooms, and offices. If you’re lucky, you’ll find one with striking variegated leaves.
Care instructions:
Cast-iron plants are tough to kill, as they can withstand a variety of light conditions, temperatures, and watering schedules. Just avoid strong, direct sunlight and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
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27. Jasmine (Jasminum)
Pros:
- Sweet aroma
- Long-lasting blooms
Cons:
- Attracts bees
Between its little white flowers and unmistakably relaxing scent, it’s hard to resist a jasmine plant. “Who doesn’t love the smell of jasmine flowers?” asks Lalicata. “This climbing vine has delicate, fragrant blooms that flower year-round in the right conditions, filling any space with a sweet, captivating fragrance.”
Care instructions:
For the best results, place your jasmine plant in bright, indirect sunlight for at least six hours a day and keep it moist by watering weekly. Prune it by a half-inch right after flowering to encourage future branches and blooms to form. Fertilize it every six weeks or so.
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Which plants are safe around pets?
- Chinese Money Plant
- Money Tree
- Hoya Varieties
- Rattlesnake Plant
- Spider Plant
- Peperomia Obtusifolia
- Parlor Palm
- Calathea Orbifolia
- Ponytail Palm
- Succulents
- Bird's Nest Fern
- Venus Flytrap
- Boston Fern
- Polka Dot Plant
- Watermelon Peperomia
- Orchid
- Staghorn Fern
- Bromeliad
- Baby Tears
- Calathea Varieties
- Fishbone Cactus
- Prayer Plant Varieties
- Rhipsalis
- Olive Tree
- String of Hearts
- Cast-Iron Plant
- Jasmine
Which plants are toxic for pets?
According to Lalicata, there’s a long list of plants that are unsafe for both cats and dogs. “Some common ones include Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron, Dracaena, ZZ plants, and Aglaonema,” she says. “And lilies are fatal to cats.” As we mentioned above, the ASPCA website is a reputable source for pet owners to see which plants are toxic before bringing them into the home.
It’s important to take plant toxicity seriously. Plants that are considered unsafe for pets feature “chemical processes or toxins within them that help to defend themselves from predators, including your nibbling pet,” Lalicata explains. “Some plants may create spines or thorns to protect themselves, while others create these poisons so nothing feeds on them.”
What are the best ways for pet owners to maintain their plants?
Though your fur baby can take a bite of a nontoxic plant without serious harm, it’s best to avoid such snacking if possible. “Keep the areas around your plants clean and remove any fallen plant material from the ground or around the soil so pets can’t get to them,” recommends Lalicata. “Just like grass, you still don’t want your pets munching on plants, even if they are nontoxic, as they can still cause nausea or indigestion.”
