15 Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs and Cats at Home

Be Vigilant About Household Plants

Before bringing a new plant home, check the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ list of toxic and non-toxic plants. If your pet has been eating a plant, observe for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and abnormal urine (in terms of color, smell, or frequency).

Although the 15 plants listed below are generally safe for cats and dogs, it’s still best to keep all houseplants out of reach to avoid temptation.

If you have concerns about your pet, contact the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Hotline.

Looking for non-toxic plants for dogs and cats that also have beautiful blooms? African violets are a perfect choice. They come in shades of purple and pink, require minimal maintenance, and thrive without bright light. Keep the soil moderately moist, and water them from the bottom to avoid damaging the leaves and petals. These compact houseplants can brighten up even small spaces, staying under 12 inches tall.

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Tillandsia varieties are great pet-friendly, low-maintenance houseplants as they don’t need soil to grow. Most air plants will remain smaller than 12 inches and thrive in bright, indirect light with a quick soak in water about once a week. However, cats and dogs might find their spindly, grass-like leaves tempting to chew on, so keep them out of reach.

The variegated gray-and-green leaves of the aluminum plant (part of the genus Pilea) make it an attractive, non-toxic plant for dogs and cats. It remains shorter than 12 inches, grows well in medium to low light, and only needs water when the top inch of soil is dry. Its tolerance for low light means you can grow it almost anywhere that’s out of reach of your furry friends.

Unlike other holiday plants like amaryllis, Christmas cacti are non-toxic to curious cats and dogs. While you shouldn't encourage your pets to chew on them (as they can cause intestinal discomfort), Christmas cacti are safer than many other festive plants. Christmas cacti can be confused with Thanksgiving cacti, but both are safe for pets and have similar care requirements. They stay under 12 inches in height but can spread up to 2 feet, thriving with regular watering and bright, indirect light.

Identifying ferns can be tricky because some plants with "fern" in their name aren't true ferns. True ferns like Boston and maidenhair ferns are pet-safe indoor plants. However, be aware of names like asparagus fern, which is actually part of the lily family and toxic to pets. Most ferns have similar needs: they prefer indirect light, evenly moist soil, and high humidity.

The friendship plant, closely related to the aluminum plant, gets its name from how easily it can be divided and shared. If you receive one as a gift, rest assured it's safe for dogs and cats, even if they nibble on its fuzzy, crinkly leaves. Friendship plants tolerate medium and low light, love humidity (they grow well in terrariums), and usually stay under 12 inches tall.

Indoor herb gardens can add fresh flavor to home-cooked meals. However, not all herbs are safe around pets. Standards like lavender and oregano should be avoided, but basil, sage, and thyme are pet-friendly. Place herbs in a sunny window that gets at least four to five hours of direct sunlight daily and water when the top inch of soil is dry.

The attractive lace flower vine is an easy, pet-friendly houseplant that thrives in hanging baskets, safely out of your pet's reach. If a determined pet does reach it, no harm will be done. Hang this plant in bright, indirect light and water whenever the soil feels dry; its trailing stems can grow up to 3 feet long.

This quirky plant, with blooms resembling lipstick tubes, is safe for both cats and dogs (other members of the Peperomia family are also safe). Lipstick plants, native to the tropics, thrive in bright light and enjoy being outdoors during warmer months. They can grow up to 20 inches tall and like their soil consistently moist, so don't forget to water them.

Pet owners wanting a small indoor tree might choose a parlor palm. This non-toxic plant for dogs and cats is low-maintenance and good for beginners. It grows best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Parlor palms can reach up to 8 feet, although 4 feet is more common.

Common moth orchids (the type you're most likely to find in floral shops) are not harmful to pets. However, watch out for pets that like to chew, as they might ingest the potting mix, which often contains bark chips. The chips aren’t toxic but might cause stomach problems. Typically growing 1 to 3 feet tall, these pet-friendly houseplants can tolerate low, medium, or bright light and usually need watering once a week or every other week.

Add a splash of pattern and color to miniature gardens, terrariums, mixed containers, and more with polka dot plants. Available in colors like pink or white, they usually stay under 12 inches tall in containers but can grow up to 3 feet tall. Place them in a spot with bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist.

The prayer plant, growing 6 to 18 inches, is perfect for small spaces like bookshelves and end tables. Its red, cream, and green leaves curl up at night, giving it its name. It's one of the easiest houseplants to grow that's also pet-safe. It thrives in medium or low light, and you can let its soil dry out a bit between waterings.

The spider plant is one of the easiest non-toxic plants for dogs and cats to grow. It’s also simple to propagate new plants from the babies the mother plant produces. Spider plants grow best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light. Let the soil dry out between waterings, and your plant can grow up to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, producing multiple baby plants.

Many popular succulents, such as hens and chicks and echeverias, are safe for pets. However, with so many varieties, it's best to research each one. For example, jade, while similar to other succulents, is dangerous to pets. Most succulents remain a few inches tall when grown indoors. They do best in bright light and usually need watering only every few weeks.