20 Houseplants Safe for Dogs and Cats (The Ultimate Guide)

Sometimes it can be hard to choose the right plants that won’t pose a threat to your pets. Some common plants can be toxic to pets and keeping your dog or cat away from them can be next to impossible. Luckily, there is a way around it.

Here are 25 non-toxic indoor houseplants safe for dogs and cats that will be a great addition to almost any room.

20 Houseplants Safe for Dogs and Cats

Let’s see what types of houseplants are safe for your pet:

Tall Indoor Trees

Our choices are:

1. Parlor Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea Elegans

Stem Height: from 40 to 90 inches

Color: shiny, healthy green leaves

About the Plant

The parlor palm is an elegant indoor air purifier that cleanses your home’s air from toxins. It enjoys lower light levels and dry air.

These pet-friendly plants will not affect your pet even if it eats one of the palm’s leaves.

Care

Parlor palms are easy to maintain and grow:

• Light: thrives in medium to bright indirect light
• Water: needs watering once a week or once every other week; increase watering during the warmer season
• Sun: tolerates shadier spots, but shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight
• Temperature: standard home temperatures between 65 to 75 °F

2. Ponytail Palm

Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Stem Height: up to 70 inches

Color: green leaves and creamy white flowers

About the Plant

Ponytail palms are very slow-growing plants. They have long, sharp leathery leaves that twist over time and give this plant a peculiar fountain look.

These cheerful palms are non-toxic and are safe plants for cats with nibbling habits.

Care

As with all indoor plants, it is best to mimic this palm’s natural conditions:

• Light: Does best in bright light
• Water: Keep the soil moist and allow it to dry out between watering
• Sun: needs exposure to full sun
• Temperature: normal room temperature, around 70 °F

Tiny Indoor Plants

Let’s continue:

3. Polka Dot Plant

Botanical Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya

Stem Height: around 2 inches

Color: green leaves with pink overlay

About the Plant

According to the ASPCA, polka dot plants are not toxic to pets. But if your pet eats a part of the plant, it might experience mild digestive discomforts and diarrhea.

Polka dot plants are indoor plants safe for pets to be around. They feature flat green leaves that can be overlaid with purple, pink, or red spots.

Care

Caring for these impressive plants is fairly easy:

• Light: indirect light is ideal
• Water: use enough water to moisten the soil evenly
• Sun: prefers shadier spots
• Temperature: around 70°F; humidity around 50%

 4. African Violet

Botanical Name: Saintpaulia

Stem Height: maximum 6 inches

Color: green leaves; purple flowers

About the Plant

African violets are houseplants safe for cats. They do not contain any elements that could be potentially harmful to your cat or dog.

African violets are an immensely popular houseplant choice. There are thousands of varieties that come with different colors of flowers and leaf shapes.

Care

Striking a balance in their care is very important:

• Light: can be grown under both natural and fluorescent lights
• Water: need high humidity and moist soil; use warm water
• Sun: enjoy bright indirect sunlight
• Temperature: cannot withstand temperatures below 60 °F

5. Baby’s Tears

Botanical Name: Soleirolia soleirolii

Stem Height: 1 to 5 inches

Color: green

About the Plant

Baby’s tears plants are easy to grow and make great cat-safe plants.

Their bean-like leaves give this plant a mossy look which makes it the perfect hanging plant.

Care

Baby’s tears are not the easiest plants to take care of as they like to have their needs met:

• Light: bright indirect light
• Water: during the warmer season keep the soil lightly moist; reduce watering during winter
• Sun: place it near an east or west-facing window
• Temperature: tolerates temperatures between 50 and 60 °F

Hanging Plants

Our best choices are:

6. Swedish Ivy

Botanical Name: Plectranthus verticillatus

Stem Height: up to 10 inches

Color: green leaves

About the Plant

Swedish ivy is well known for its distinctive foliage of scalloped glossy green leaves and delicate purple or white flowers.

They are non-toxic and safe plants for dogs and cats. You have to be careful when purchasing Swedish ivy, however, as the Pet Poison Helpline advises that it can be mixed up with the Devil’s ivy plant which is a toxic species.

Care

• Light: needs moderate light
• Water: no more than once a week; allow the soil to dry between watering
• Sun: similarly to other low-light indoor plants it should be kept in partial shade
• Temperature: maintain a room temperature between 60 and 70 °F

7. Boston Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata

Stem Height: up to 30 inches

Color: green

About the Plant

Feel safe to make this fern a part of your home. The Boston Fern plants are a good choice for dogs as they will not cause any problems unless, of course, your dog ingests a massive amount.

The Boston Fern has high demands in terms of humidity. When there is not enough humidity, its leaves start turning yellow. It is a relatively cheap indoor plant compared to other ferns.

Care

Though its leaves seem delicate and fragile, this fern is incredibly hardy.

• Light: a brightly lit bathroom is the perfect place for it
• Water: check the soil daily; water it if the soil seems even a little dry
• Sun: indirect light
• Temperature: need a temperature over 55°F

8. Peperomia Green

Botanical Name: Peperomia spp.

Stem Height: 6 to 12 inches

Color: purple, red, or gray leaves

About the Plant

Peperomia can have thick textured or smooth leaves in purple, red, or gray.

All peperomia varieties are non-toxic. The ASPCA claims these houseplants are safe for cats and dogs, but it warns owners that digesting some plants can cause stomach irritations.

Care

Peperomia plants need little attention and are easy to take care of:

• Light: can live both under natural and artificial lights

Water: This plant has succulent leaves that store water so it is better to keep its soil dry rather than moist

• Sun: when peperomias don’t receive enough light they become leggy
• Temperature: between 65 to 80°F

9. Lipstick Plant

Botanical Name: Aeschynanthus humilis

Stem Height: max. 12 inches

Color: light or dark green, mottled green or maroon leaves; bright red or orange flowers

About the Plant

The lipstick plant blossoms in spring or summer and produces pink, red, yellow, or orange flowers. Lipstick plants do not contain toxic elements and are plants that are safe for cats and dogs alike.

Care

Lipstick plants are low-light plants that thrive in high humidity:

• Light: bright, indirect light
• Water: if its leaves appear soft, give it more water; water frequently
• Sun: the plant will not bloom unless it gets enough sunlight
• Temperature: between 75 and 85 °F

Flowering Plants

Amazing flowering plants that are pet-safe:

10. Jasmine Plant

Botanical Name: Jasminum

Stem Height: vines up to 70 inches/container plants no more than 12 inches

Color: white, yellow, or pink flowers

About the Plant

Jasmine plants come in different varieties and can be found in the form of bushes and vines; some are even evergreen. The Animal Poison Control website reassures pet owners that all Jasminum types are houseplants safe for cats and dogs.

Care

What matters most for jasmine plants is to protect them from cold temperatures:

• Light: expose the jasmine plant to as much light as possible
• Water: Keep the soil moist during summer; during winter and spring reduce the watering and maintain the soil semi-dry
• Sun: should be kept in partial sun, ideally close to a south window
• Temperature: from 60 to 70 °F

11. Orchid

Botanical Name: Orchidaceae

Stem Height: around 12 inches

Color: green foliage; blue, pink, white, and purple flowers

About the Plant

The ASPCA claims all orchid species are non-toxic safe houseplants for cats and dogs. In the worst case scenario, if your cat eats too much of this plant, it will experience mild vomiting and diarrhea.

Moth orchids and cane orchids are the most common indoor plants.

Care

It’s important for your indoor environment to resemble the orchids’ natural habitat:

• Light: orchids enjoy strong, bright indirect light
• Water: they need to be watered sparingly because their roots soak up water very quickly and they do not need too much of it
• Sun: bright but indirect sun
• Temperature: between 50 and 80 °F

12. Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus

Stem Height: 18 to 24 inches

Color: green foliage; yellow flowers with a darker center

About the Plant

Sunflowers are dog-safe plants that you can keep in your indoor garden without worrying about your canine’s safety.

They need a lot of light and if you think they are not getting enough daylight consider introducing grow lights.

Care

Create the appropriate setting for these large flowers in your home:

• Light: need great amounts of indirect light
• Water: Water them only once a week
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of sunlight
• Temperature: around 70 °F

13. Gloxinia

Botanical Name: Sinningia speciosa

Stem Height: 6 to 10 inches

Color: soft, dark green leaves

About the Plant

Gloxinia’s flowers come in a vast array of colors such as red, blue, purple, and pink and provide a gorgeous two-month flower display. Gloxinias are non-toxic dog-safe plants, and according to the ASPCA, they are safe for cats and horses as well. You can make them part of your indoor garden without worrying about your pooch’s safety.

Care

Gloxinias are not very demanding houseplants:

• Light: place it close to a sunny window so it can get enough indirect light
• Water: introduce water directly to the soil, keeping its leaves dry
• Sun: should be kept in partial shade
• Temperature: This plant likes normal room temperatures not lower than 60 °F

14. Cape Marigold

Botanical Name: Dimorphotheca

Stem Height: 4 to 12 inches

Color: green with rose-pink, orange, yellow, and white flowers

About the Plant

The ASPCA includes the cape marigold on their non-toxic plant list. Though most marigold flowers are a safe choice, be careful as there are some varieties such as Tagetes that are not cat-safe plants. The Cat Fanciers’ Association even puts this marigold variety’s flowers on their Plants Poisonous to Cats list.

 Care

• Light: around 6 hours of direct light
• Water: need regular watering to keep the soil moist
• Sun: marigolds need plenty of sunlight; place them near a south-facing window to support their abundant bloom
• Temperature: below 80 °F

Plants With Green Foliage

Let’s check them:

15. Cast Iron Plant

Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior

Stem Height: max. 36 inches

Color: green leaves; white/purple flowers

About the Plant:

This plant is native to China, and it hides tiny, exotic-looking purple flowers under its beautiful green foliage. Although these plants are members of the lily family they are totally pet-safe indoor plants.

Care

This plant can withstand some extreme environmental conditions, but here’s what it needs to thrive:

• Light: Does best in low light; ideal for placing on a north-facing window
• Water: needs moderate watering; make sure that its soil stays properly moist and occasionally use a good quality fertilizer
• Sun: prefers semi-shaded areas
• Temperature: cannot withstand cooler temperatures below 50 °F

16. Zebra Plant

Botanical Name: Aphelandra squarrosa

Stem Height: 6 to 8 inches

Color: dark green leaves; yellow flowers

About the Plant

Zebra plants are known for their waxy deep green leaves that are covered with white zebra-like stripes. You can safely decorate your home with it, as Zebra plants are perfectly pet-friendly indoor plants. These plants are non-toxic but non-edible as well so your pet might experience some stomach irritation if it eats too much of them. 

Care

These plants need high humidity and lots of moisture:

• Light: place them where they can get the brightest light
• Water: during the growing season water them when the soil is dry to the touch; reduce watering during the winter season
• Sun: can tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight, but should be exposed to indirect light mostly
• Temperature: maintain a room temperature between 65 to 80 °F

17. Prayer Plants

Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura

Stem Height: 10 to 12 inches

Color: green leaves with red veins

About the Plant

Prayer plants are big fans of humid environments. Many assume that colorful houseplants are more likely to be toxic, but do not let the red veins on the prayer plant’s leaves fool you; these plants are safe for cats and dogs as well.

Care

• Light: thrives in low to bright indirect light
• Water: When the top of its soil feels dry to the touch
• Sun: avoid bright direct light; direct exposure to the sun might burn its foliage
• Temperature: 70 to 85 °F

18. Friendship Plant

Botanical Name: Pilea involucrata

Stem Height: grows up to 12 inches

Color: green leaves with white or light green markings

About the Plant:

Pilea is a bushy plant with oval green leaves marked with darker bronze veins. This fast-growing plant’s tiny pink-colored flowers are easily overlooked due to its foliage. Pileas are pet-friendly plants. They are marked as non-toxic by the ASPCA so don’t worry if your pets ingest this plant.

Care

• Light: tolerates medium to low light
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist 
• Sun: needs 6 to 8 hours of indirect sunlight
• Temperature: normal indoor temperatures between 60 to 70 °F

Groovy-looking Plants

Check out these gorgeous houseplants:

19. Bromeliad

Botanical Name: Bromeliaceae

Stem Height: up to 36 inches

Color: green with orange, yellow, red, and purple flowers

About the Plant

Bromeliads are eye-catching tropical plants that have sword-shaped leaves and a unique bloom that comes in a vast array of colors. The Pet Care Advisors’ site assures that none of the members of the Bromeliaceae family are toxic to pets. This makes the brightly colored bromeliads safe plants for dogs and cats alike and the perfect touch to add color to your interior.

Care

Bromeliads are watered centrally through their rosette. They also need the following care:

• Light: very fond of bright light
• Water: sensitive to chemicals – use rainwater or filtered water only
• Sun: bromeliads’ soft leaves prefer lower light levels while those with hard leaves need bright, indirect light
• Temperature: do well in warm rooms with a temperature of around 70 °F

20. Calathea

Botanical Name: Calathea

Stem Height: about 20 inches

Color: green leaves with red veins

About the Plant

Calatheas have characteristic wide leaves that help them absorb as much sunlight as possible.

All Calathea species are generally safe houseplants for both cats and dogs and are very beginner-friendly and easy to care for.

Care

Calatheas need roughly the same maintenance as any other tropical plant:

• Light: prefer bright indirect light
• Water: once a week or once every other week depending on the light setting
• Sun: tolerant of low indirect lights
• Temperature: enjoy temperatures close to their tropical habitat – between 65 and 85°F

In Case Your Pet Eats a Toxic Plant, What Can You Do?

Houseplants are not always safe for dogs and other pets. It is not uncommon for pets to take a bite or nibble on a houseplant, and keeping them constantly in sight is nearly impossible.

Here’s what to do if you are worried your pet has ingested a toxic plant:

• Act quickly. Examine your pet for any abnormal behavior and immediately call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).
• It is essential to identify the plant so the vet can provide the appropriate treatment.
• In case you do not know the name of the plant, collect a clipping.
• Some even advise owners to bring a sample of the vomit.

Conclusion

Whether we like it or not, our pets like to eat houseplants. We may not always be able to prevent them from doing so, but we can make sure that the ones we buy are indoor plants that are safe for pets and will not have a harmful effect.

If your pet has a way of getting into trouble often, there are pet insurance solutions that can help lessen your bills.