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If you’re a pet lover who enjoys indoor plants, you may be worried about your furry friends knocking over pots and nibbling on the leaves. Of course, we all want our pets to be healthy and happy, but we don’t want to give up our love for greenery. We’ve compiled a list of pet-safe plants to help ensure your home’s furry and green inhabitants coexist harmoniously.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner, we have options that are easy to care for and add beauty to your indoor space. From the ubiquitous Spider Plant to the stunning Calathea, you can create a visually appealing indoor garden that’s also safe for your pets.
Related: 5 Pinterest Creators to Follow if You Love Houseplants
10 Pet-Safe Plants for Homes With Cats and Dogs
Here are ten popular houseplants that are safe for your furry friends to be around:
Spider Plant
It’s a ubiquitous go-to for every person new to houseplants for how easy it is to grow, and you’ve undoubtedly seen this one in many homes. Also known as the ‘ribbon’ plant, its flowing, arching leaves are beautiful.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
- Humidity: Moderate to high humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Spider plants like to be slightly pot-bound and can produce plantlets that can be removed and potted to create new plants
Boston Fern
When you think of an indoor fern plant, the Boston Fern is probably what comes to mind. Also known as the sword fern, these are great for adding some bushy greenery to your home and are particularly common as they are generally easy to care for.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
- Humidity: High humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Boston Ferns are sensitive to dry air, so maintaining high humidity is important. They may also benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Bamboo Palm
Chamaedorea seifrizii is often called a ‘parlor’ or ‘reed’ palm as well. It’s a common houseplant with the potential to grow to 20 feet tall for those who can use subtropical vibes.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade
- Watering: Allow soil to dry out before watering
- Humidity: High humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Bamboo Palms can benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. They can also be sensitive to salt buildup in the soil, so occasional flushing with clean water can help prevent this.
African Violet
It’s not actually a violet; the name is all about the common color they produce, but you may see all sorts of hues and hybrids, from white to pink and shades in between. You can’t go wrong with these bright, vibrant flowers and fuzzy leaves.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Water from the bottom to avoid getting water on the leaves, and allow the soil to dry out between watering
- Humidity: Average to high humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: African Violets are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Avoid placing them near drafty areas or heating/cooling vents. They can also benefit from occasional fertilization with a fertilizer formulated for African Violets.
Christmas Cactus
Call it a Schlumbergera or Christmas Cactus; either is equally strange-sounding for a plant that people treat like a Poinsettia, even though it can grow year-round. It blooms with beautiful flowers during winter and spring, too — if given ideal conditions.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Allow soil to dry out slightly between watering
- Humidity: Average to high humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Christmas Cacti can benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. They also prefer slightly cooler temperatures than your common cacti and can benefit from reduced watering and cooler temperatures in the fall. This will encourage blooms during the holiday season.
Baby Rubberplant
Be extra careful shopping for a baby rubber plant. Other toxic plants like Ficus elastica go by the name ‘rubber tree,’ and it can be easy to confuse them. Be sure you’re getting a Peperomia obtusifolia.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Allow soil to dry out slightly between watering
- Humidity: Average to high humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Baby rubber plants can benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. They can also be sensitive to overwatering and may benefit from being allowed to become slightly pot-bound.
Friendship Plant
The Friendship Plant is called that because it’s super easy to propagate! You can share cuttings with your friends, and they can grow their own new plant by letting the cuttings root in water at home. Plus, it’s perfectly safe for your furry pals to be around. The leaves are variegated in shades of green and white, making it a beautiful addition to your indoor garden.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
- Humidity: Average to high humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Friendship plants can benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. They can also be sensitive to overwatering and may benefit from being allowed to become slightly pot-bound.
Haworthia
Haworthia is a succulent plant well-known for its strikingly beautiful and unique leaves that grow in a rosette pattern with a texture that’s hard to miss. They resemble the look of an aloe plant but with their own distinct features. Plus, they’re super easy to care for.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade
- Watering: Allow soil to dry out completely between watering
- Humidity: Average to low humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Haworthias are succulent plants adapted to dry conditions, so overwatering can be a problem. They can also benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Calathea
What’s not to love about the Calathea? This plant shows off with stunning leaves full of color and texture and can be a bit temperamental. It’s often called the ‘prayer plant’ because its leaves fold at night and perk back up by morning, making the effort totally worth it.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
- Humidity: High humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: Calatheas can be sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water, so distilled or filtered water can be beneficial. They can also benefit from occasional fertilization with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Polka Dot Plant
Named after, well… you can probably guess, the Polka Dot Plant is eye-catching and easy to care for. If you need some color other than green, throw in some of this unique tropical foliage.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
- Humidity: High humidity is preferred
- Quick Care Notes: To avoid damaging the polka dot plant’s leaves, ensure that it is not exposed to too much direct sunlight. On the other hand, if it is kept in an area with too little light, it may lose its vibrant coloration. A good location for the plant would be near a north or east-facing window.
Where to get pet-safe plants
Supporting a local plant shop is always a great idea. You’ll find informed and helpful staff who can guide you to the right plants.
If you prefer shopping online, there are some great finds on Amazon, with impressive variety and many quality reviews. Here are a few of the ones we discussed above to get you started:
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Plants to Avoid
Although there are many pet-safe plants, some common houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs. These plants can cause severe reactions, including vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. It is important to know which plants to avoid if you have pets to keep them safe and healthy.
- Aloe Vera
- Jade Plant
- Pothos
- Sago Palm
- Rubber Tree
- ZZ Plant
- Philodendron
- Dieffenbachia
- Snake Plant
- Fiddle Leaf Fig
For a complete, searchable list, check out the ASPCA’s list of Poisonous Plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still have houseplants if I have pets?
Yes, it is possible to have plants in your home, even if you have pets. By selecting safe plants and avoiding toxic ones, you can have everything from a couple plants to a full indoor jungle that’s safe for you and your pets.
What if I have a favorite houseplant that’s not on the list of pet-safe plants?
If you have plants known to be toxic to pets but don’t want to get rid of them, you can take some actions to keep your animal safe.
One option is to keep the plant out of your pet’s reach. This can be achieved by hanging the plant or displaying it on a high shelf or other surface. Alternatively, you can keep your plants in rooms your pets are not allowed to enter, such as a home office or guest bedroom.
Another option is to train your pets to stay away from the plants using deterrents like bitter apple spray, placing aluminum foil around the base of the plant, or other tricks to discourage pets from getting too close.
Make sure they have chew toys and other sources of entertainment so they’re less inclined to seek out troublesome sources of fun.
Can pet-safe plants still pose a risk if they are treated with pesticides or other chemicals?
Even if you choose pet-safe plants, using pesticides or chemicals on them can still be dangerous for your pets. It is best to avoid using these products altogether. If you must use them, keep the plants out of reach of your pets until the chemicals have dried or dissipated. Safer options include organic or natural pest control methods.
What should I do if my pet eats a toxic plant?
If you believe your pet has consumed a toxic plant, it is important to seek veterinary or animal poison control assistance right away. Symptoms of plant poisoning can range from minor to severe, and early intervention is crucial to prevent health complications.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
Here’s to green thumbs pet-safe plants
It’s true; you can still enjoy the beauty of indoor plants while keeping your pets safe. This list is just the start of your research journey, especially if you plan on finding more exotic, less common plants. Make sure to research so you’ll know which houseplants to avoid and which you can have around with a little more peace of mind.
Related: Concrete Pokémon Planters to Complete Your Succulent Safari Zone
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Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
