Searching for pet friendly houseplants safe for cats and dogs? Here are 25 beautiful, ASPCA approved pet safe houseplants.
Finding houseplants safe for both cats and dogs can be a challenge, that’s why I’ve put together this ASPCA approved guide so you can keep your home and pets happy.
Having a cute (and nosy!) Collie to care for as well as a few cats over the years, I am always worried about bringing new plants and flowers into the home.
I used to love lilies, until my vet told me they are highly toxic to pets and often fatal if eaten.
With so much misinformation out there too i.e. just today I found a post that says Baby’s Breath are toxic to cats and dogs, yet the official ASPCA website says they are safe for cats and dogs, it’s even harder to know which houseplants are truly safe for our four legged friends to be around.
Rest assured, all of these houseplants are safe for both cats and dogs and come straight from the ASPCA approved list.
Although, I can’t promise your plants will ever be *safe* from your pets! My dog loves to munch on wild plants.
Luckily, there are no highly poisonous plants/flowers where I live.
QUICK NOTE – WHAT NON-TOXIC REALLY MEANS
Just because a houseplant is non-toxic to your pet, it doesn’t mean it won’t cause digestive upset if eaten frequently.
Whilst these houseplants are not fatal to pets if eaten, they can still cause stomach cramps, diarrhea and other intestinal problems, so it’s always best to try and keep any plant away from your pets.
Most smaller plants can be kept in a hanging basket which is a great option if you have a particularly curious cat or dog (like mine!) who loves munching on anything they can find.
WHAT HOUSEPLANTS ARE SAFE FOR CATS AND DOGS?
These are the best houseplants to have in your home or living space if you have pets. They are non-toxic, approved by ASPCA and look gorgeous.
1. ARECA PALM
On the hunt for a large houseplant that’s safe for both cats and dogs? Swap out your Sago Palms and Japanese Yew (both highly toxic and poisonous) for this pet-friendly alternative.
If you’re looking for a large houseplant that’s safe for your pets, I highly recommend checking out Areca Palms, and these stunning varieties; Golden Butterfly Palm, Cane Palm, Golden Feather Palm, Yellow Palm.
Areca Palms can grow up to 6-12 feet tall – so will need regular pruning- and thrive in evenly moist soil, with lots of bright, direct light.
They are also great indoor air purifiers, removing pollutants such as acetone, xylene and toluene from the air.
2. AFRICAN VIOLET
African violets are a perfectly safe houseplant for cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.
Not only are they pet-friendly, but they are beautiful too.
Known for their dazzling purple bloom and striking yellow center, African Violets add a touch of color to any indoor living space.
African Violets prefer high humidity, warm temperatures and moist, but well-drained soil.
3. CAPE MARIGOLD
Cape Marigolds, Garden Marigolds or even Golden Marigolds are all considered non-toxic houseplants for cats, dogs and even horses (not that you would have a horse indoors…).
According to the ASPCA, even if ingested, these plants will do little harm to your pets and are least likely to cause digestive upset, which is always nice to know.
Marigolds are easy to spot with their sun-burnt orange and yellow hues, and can bring any room to life with a splash of vibrant color.
4. MONEY TREE
On the lookout for another large houseplant? Money trees are probably your best bet when you have pets.
Whilst the ASPCA says money trees are non toxic houseplants to cats and dogs, they do recommend keeping them out of their reach, as their leaves have been known to cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten frequently.
If your pet loves to nibble at your plants, it’s probably best to stick to an Areca Palm instead.
Money trees love evenly moist soil and thrive when placed in an area that receives lots of bright, indirect sunlight with 2-4 hours of cool direct sun.
5. BOSTON FERN
Boston Ferns always remind me of Jurassic Park, with their primitive look and Jurassic feel.
Boston ferns may just be the all-round safe houseplant for cats and dogs. You can add the Maidenhair Fern, Staghorn Fern and Plumosa Fern to this list too.
Not only are they non-toxic and look amazing in hanging baskets, but they are one of the few houseplants least likely to cause gastrointestinal upset or stomach cramps if ingested by your four legged friend.
Bonus – ferns are one of the easiest houseplants to look after, and are fairly low maintenance.
They thrive in environments similar to their natural habitat; the jungle floor. Think humid and wet. Make sure to keep a humidifier nearby.
6. CAST IRON PLANT
If you’re on the hunt for a traditional, medium sized houseplant that is safe for cats and dogs, the Cast Iron Plant may be an option for you. This plant makes a fantastic alternative to the toxic Dieffenbachia.
It sprouts beautiful and wide moss green leaves, and is an extremely hardy plant, withstanding extreme temperature changes, dust, smoke and other conditions.
Cast Iron Plants are also favoured amongst those who have little time to care for plants, as they need very little maintenance.
Keep them in a place that receives lots of bright, but indirect light as too much direct sunlight can burn their leaves.
7. SPIDER PLANT
Sturdy, safe and stylish, spider plants are aptly named for their eight legged look, and are sure to add a decorative flair to any room.
Considered one of the easiest plants for beginners to maintain, spider plants are easy to clip and prune.
This pet-safe houseplant is best kept in indirect sunlight.
If you love hanging basket plants, the spider plant is perfect for you, and safer for your furry friend too! Those long, dangly stems can be real enticing to cats, so keep them up high.
8. BABY TEARS
Baby Tears will make you do anything but cry.
This cute, delicate and luscious green creeping perennial has tiny rounded leaves, perfect for small pots or hanging baskets.
Baby tears is a popular houseplant that is completely safe for pets, and according to the ASPCA won’t cause any digestive issues if eaten.
9. BAMBOO PALM
Bamboo Palms, also known as Good Luck Palms, are considered non-toxic houseplants to pets, and add a much needed touch of greenery to any home.
A word of warning, these houseplants can grow up to 8 feet tall, so if you’re not looking for a tall houseplant that needs some tending and pruning, this isn’t the one for you.
They grow best in moderate indirect light but can tolerate slightly shadier environments too, perfect if you live in a darker house or apartment.
10. BURRO’S TAIL OR DONKEY TAIL SUCCULENT
I’ll admit, Burro’s Tail freaked me out a little when I first saw it.
Each branch looks like a donkey’s tail (hence the name!). It’s a very dangly plant that originates from the succulent and cacti family, so it looks amazing when added to a hanging basket.
Burro’s Tail are completely safe houseplants for cats, dogs and horses for that matter.
11. ORCHID
You’ll be glad to know that orchids, a firm favourite among many plant owners, is a pet-friendly houseplant.
Pansy Orchids for example have no known toxic side effects to either cats or dogs, so you’re safe to place these stunning houseplants in your home.
Certain varieties of orchids can be notoriously difficult to care for, though as a general rule of thumb, most like humid, wet and warm environments.
12. BROMELIAD
These pet-safe houseplants are very easy to maintain, needing only bright light and a humid environment.
Bromeliads with their pretty pink and mars red leaves are surprisingly non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Many bromeliads will also grow in soil-free conditions, simply attached to a log instead, making them even more pet friendly for those pets who love to dig in potting soil.
13. HAWTHORIA
If you’re a lover of the Aloe Vera Plant but are looking for a pet-safe substitute, Hawthoria is perfect for you.
Similar in texture and size to a succulent, all plants in the Hawthoria genus are safe for cats and dogs.
Plus, they’re fairly easy to maintain, requiring just some bright to full light and weekly watering in warmer seasons.
14. PEPEROMIA GREEN
The diversity and colors of Peperomia make them a popular houseplant for many homeowners. These plants make a wonderful alternative to most philodendrons (all of which are highly toxic to pets).
Fortunately, they’re also cat safe and pet friendly.
15. PRAYER PLANT
Famous for its ziggy striped leaves and bright white and green combo, the Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) is one houseplant you’ll definitely want to add to your pet-safe shortlist.
This stunning houseplant is non-toxic to cats and dogs, thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight, but can survive in dimmer light, and could easily be a statement piece in the center of any room.
16. SWEDISH IVY OR CREEPING CHARLIE
I love the alternate name on this one. Swedish Ivy, neither Swedish nor Ivy and also known as Creeping Charlie, is a perfectly safe houseplant for pets to be around.
Non-toxic, and colorful, Swedish Ivy is a great choice if you’re looking for a pet friendly houseplant.
Bonus – Creeping Charlies are considered an easy to care for houseplant with attractive light green leaves, and can make your home smell heavenly thanks to their small lavender flowers.
17. PONY TAIL PALM
Pony Tail Palms will add a much needed touch of greenery to any home.
One of the best air purifying house plants according to a 1989 NASA study and an easy plant to care for, you’ll definitely want to add this plant to your pet-friendly shortlist.
18. POLKA DOT PLANT
If you love the color pink, you’re going to love Polka Dot Plants.
These houseplants are non toxic and provide a brilliant splash of color to any room in the home.
As Poinsettia are toxic to cats and dogs, I like to use Polka Dot Plants instead at Christmas, and sprinkle them with a bit of gold dust for a real festive feel.
If your cat or dog likes to chomp on your plants though, it’s best to keep this one out of reach as it can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea if ingested regularly.
MORE NON-TOXIC HOUSEPLANTS SAFE FOR CATS AND DOGS
19. BLUE ECHEVERIA
This gorgeous houseplant can literally grow out of cracks in rocks, so should be fine in your home, even if you are a serial plant killer!
It’s also completely cat friendly and dog friendly too.
20. XEROGRAPHICA AIR PLANT
All air plants are actually safe for cats and dogs, but this one in particular is stunning.
It has a light mossy green color and twisty leaves. Bonus, these plants don’t need soil to thrive.
21. STAGHORN FERN
Known for their ‘out-of-this-world’ appearance, Staghorn ferns look great mounted on a hanging fixture which is great for cats who love to jump to high places.
22. PARLOR PALM
You might hear the word ‘palm’ and immediately think these plants need warm, tropical climates to survive, but parlor palms have been prized on their ability to resilience to most indoor conditions.
23. CHRISTMAS CACTUS
When Christmas is right around the corner, consider swapping out the toxic Poinsettia for this stunning Christmas Cactus.
Non-toxic to cats and dogs, it blooms brilliant red flowers, perfect for celebrating the festive season.
24. PURPLE VELVET PLANT
This beautiful houseplant is non toxic to cats and dogs. It’s gorgeous and looks like someone has just sprinkled purple dust over all of the leaves.
Purple Velvet Plants like bright light and moist soil.
25. CALATHEA RATTLESNAKE
Rattlesnake plants are super cool, not just because they’re a super pet-friendly houseplant, but also because of their leaf movements.
Every night, due to a drop in water pressure at the base of the plant’s node, its leaves will droop. In the day, they will rise again!
Pet owners needn’t go without greenery in their home anymore.
There are many gorgeous houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs available on the market; large, small, hanging, trees, flowering – the options are endless.
I will make sure to get some of these