Stick To These 12 Non-Toxic Houseplants If You Have Pets
Bringing houseplants into your home is so much fun. They brighten up a room, clean the air, and bring a little life to any space. But if you share your home with curious cats or playful dogs, you need to be careful about what plants you choose. Even if they look beautiful, some plants can be toxic to pets. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you make sure you’re only picking up pet-friendly houseplants!
You’ll find some familiar favorites and maybe a few plants you didn’t know were non-toxic, but every entry on this list can safely bring a touch of green to any pet owner’s home.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are a classic favorite. With long, striped green-and-white leaves that hang out of pots and planters, they’re not only pet-safe but also incredibly easy to care for. Cats, in particular, seem drawn to the dangling ends, but thankfully chewing on them won’t hurt your furry friends. They’re forgiving if you forget to water them every once in a while and can survive in most levels of lighting.
Just remember, too much direct sun can scorch their leaves, so keep them in bright but indirect light. Spider plants are also able to purify the air, which is a great bonus for any home!
Areca Palm
The areca palm is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to add a tropical touch to a room without any risk to pets. These palms have feathery, arching fronds that can fill up any corner nicely and create a relaxed, beachy vibe. They love bright, indirect sunlight and need regular watering, but they’re not too fussy.
Unlike some palms that can be toxic, the areca palm is entirely safe to have around dogs and cats. And if you give it room to breathe, these palms can grow to a pretty impressive size over time.
Calathea (Prayer Plant)
Calatheas, also called prayer plants, are known for their stunning patterned leaves that fold up at night, as if the plant is praying. They come in a range of beautiful design options, from pinstripe to peacock patterns. Best of all, they’re non-toxic to pets! These plants like humidity and slightly damp soil, so they do best in bathrooms or kitchens where there’s more moisture.
They can be a bit picky about water quality, so using filtered or distilled water can help keep their leaves looking their best.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are a lush, old-fashioned favorite that look perfect in hanging baskets or on pedestal stands. Their feathery, delicate fronds spill over the sides of whatever they’re planted in, and can add a bit of softness to a room. These ferns are safe for pets, but they do need a bit more attention than others on this list.
Like the calathea, they do best in humid conditions and prefer their soil to always be moist. If the air is too dry their fronds may turn brown, so a little misting or putting them in your bathroom can help these ferns flourish.
Peperomia
Peperomia plants come in a wide variety of leaf shapes, textures, and colors, giving you lots of options if you want something small but eye-catching. It doesn’t matter if you want a plant with thick, rubbery leaves, or rippled, heart-shaped patterns. Peperomia has options for any indoor garden.
They’re non-toxic to pets and very forgiving to care for, making them a great choice for rooms with low light and busy people. Pick up a peperomia to add a little something to desktops, bookshelves, or small side tables.
Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palms are another great tropical option that are safe for your pets. They grow tall and look very elegant, making them excellent at filling empty corners or adding height to a room. They love bright, indirect light but can survive in lower-light areas as well. These palms need to be watered regularly but don’t like soggy soil, so good soil drainage is key.
Bamboo palms don’t just look lovely, they’re another plant that cleans the air in your home, making them a useful and stylish choice.
African Violet
African violets are an adorable option if you want to add a pop of color to your home without risking your pets’ health. Their velvety leaves and bright, cheerful flowers come in a range of pinks, purples, and whites. These violets should be kept out of direct light and need their soil to always be kept moist.
Pro tip: avoid getting water on the leaves, as it can leave spots or cause rot. African violets are perfect for windowsills or tabletops, where they’ll brighten up the space with their sweet blooms.
Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
We already talked about peperomia, but it’s still worth mentioning one of the most popular varieties. The baby rubber plant has thick, shiny leaves that add a modern touch to any space. It’s on the smaller side, low-maintenance, and most importantly, non-toxic to pets. The baby rubber plant tolerates medium to bright light but can handle some shade, making it a good option for any room.
It doesn’t like soggy roots, so let the soil dry out between waterings. If you want a pet-safe plant that looks sturdy and strong, the baby rubber plant is an excellent low-effort choice.
Parlor Palm
The parlor palm has been in style since Victorian times, and for good reason. It’s soft, elegant, and completely safe for pets! This palm does best in lower light and doesn’t need much fussing over, making it the ideal choice for older homes with less natural light. The parlor palm is also a slow grower, so you won’t need to repot it often.
Just keep the soil slightly moist and give it the occasional wipe-down to keep the leaves from getting dusty.
Ponytail Palm
Despite its name, the ponytail palm isn’t really a palm at all! It’s a plant with a quirky, fun shape that can make a statement in any home. Its thick, bulbous trunk stores water, making it able to survive for a while if you forget to water it. It gets its name from the long, curly fronds that spill out like a ponytail, and it’s pet-safe and super low-maintenance.
Put your ponytail palm in bright light and water it every few weeks, and it will reward you with years of low-stress beauty. It’s a wonderful option if you want a plant that looks playful and unique.
Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
The rattlesnake plant is another standout from the calathea family that we thought deserves a separate callout. It has long, wavy leaves, marked with dark green spots and a purplish underside, making it stand out in any plant collection. It’s perfectly safe to have around curious pets and loves a bit of humidity.
Keep the rattlesnake plant’s soil moist and put it under filtered light for the best results. This is a wonderful choice if you want something eye-catching that’s not too hard to care for.
Cast Iron Plant
Like the name suggests, the cast iron plant is tough as iron! It can survive low light, drought, and forgetful plant parents, making it a favorite of people who don’t have time to deal with fussy plants. Like the rest of the plants on this list, it’s non-toxic to pets. The cast iron plant has large, dark green leaves and a simple beauty that fits in with both modern and traditional home designs.
Water it every once in a while and wipe the leaves off when they get dusty, and this reliable houseplant will last for years.
Your Pets Will Thank You!
You don’t have to pick between having pets or houseplants. By choosing the right plants you can still have a home filled with greenery, without worrying about getting your furry friends sick. Each of these plants offers something a little different, whether it’s bright color, tropical vibes, or low-maintenance charm.
Remember, even safe plants can give pets an upset stomach if eaten in large amounts, so it’s always a good idea to put houseplant where pets aren’t tempted to nibble. Both your pets and your plants will thank you!