7 Beautiful Houseplants That Are 100% Safe for Dogs & Cats
Turning your living room into a lush, green oasis feels great—until you catch your cat happily gnawing on a leaf.
If you share your home with pets, bringing a new plant indoors can be incredibly stressful. Many of the trendiest houseplants on the market right now (like Monsteras, Pothos, and Snake Plants) are highly toxic to cats and dogs. A few chewed leaves can lead to drooling, vomiting, or an expensive emergency trip to the vet.
But you don't have to choose between having a beautiful home and keeping your pets safe. There are plenty of gorgeous, low-maintenance plants that are completely non-toxic. Here are 7 stunning houseplants you can bring home without worrying.
1. The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The ultimate beginner plant. Spider plants are incredibly forgiving if you forget to water them, and they thrive in bright, indirect light. They produce long, cascading leaves and eventually grow tiny "spiderettes" that dangle from the mother plant. Cats absolutely love batting at these dangling babies, and if they take a bite, it is perfectly safe.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
If you love the look of big, bushy, tropical foliage, the Boston Fern is your best bet. They look beautiful hanging in a window or sitting on a pedestal. They do require a bit of humidity, so they thrive in bathrooms or kitchens with good natural light. Their frilly fronds are safe for both cats and dogs.
3. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Want something that adds height to an empty corner? The Parlor Palm can grow up to a few feet tall indoors and gives a room an instant tropical feel. Better yet, they are notoriously tolerant of low-light situations, making them perfect for apartments or rooms with smaller windows.
4. Calathea / Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
If you are bored of plain green leaves, look into the Calathea family. These plants boast stunning, highly patterned leaves with vibrant streaks of pink, red, and purple. They are often called "Prayer Plants" because their leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer. They require a bit more attention when it comes to watering, but they are absolutely pet-safe.
5. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Peperomias are compact, structural plants that look fantastic on a desk or a small bookshelf. There are dozens of varieties, but most feature thick, fleshy leaves that store water, meaning they don't need to be watered constantly. The Watermelon Peperomia, with leaves that look exactly like the rind of a tiny watermelon, is a major favorite.
6. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
If you want a houseplant that actually flowers indoors, the African Violet is a classic. With fuzzy green leaves and bright purple, pink, or white blooms, they add a great pop of color to a windowsill. They prefer their soil slightly moist and like to be watered from the bottom, but they pose zero threat to your furry roommates.
7. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Finding pet-safe succulents can be tricky (Aloe Vera and Jade plants are toxic), but the Burro’s Tail is entirely safe. This unique succulent grows long, trailing stems heavily packed with small, plump, bead-like leaves. It needs plenty of bright sunshine and minimal water, making it a gorgeous, low-maintenance addition to a sunny window.
A Quick Disclaimer: While these plants are non-toxic, "safe" does not mean "a salad bar." If your dog or cat eats a massive amount of any plant, it can still cause a mild upset stomach simply because pets don't digest plant matter well. If your pet is a chronic plant-destroyer, try keeping your greenery on high shelves or in hanging baskets just to save the plants!