Pet-Friendly Houseplants: 25 Non-Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs
In 2025, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 41,000 cases of plant ingestion by pets. Lilies, pothos, philodendrons, and dieffenbachia accounted for 60% of those calls. The plants on this list are not merely "less toxic." They are verified as non-toxic by the ASPCA, meaning ingestion causes no more than mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting or diarrhea) in most cases, and serious symptoms are extremely rare. Every plant below was cross-referenced against the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database (aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) as of January 2026.
A Note on "Non-Toxic" Versus "Edible"
Non-toxic does not mean edible. A cat that eats an entire spider plant may vomit, not because the plant is poisonous, but because a large volume of fibrous plant material irritates the stomach lining. If your pet has a history of chewing plants, place specimens out of reach or in hanging planters. If vomiting persists for more than 24 hours after ingestion, contact your veterinarian regardless of the plant species.
The 25 Plants
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Light: Bright indirect to low light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $8.99 for a 4-inch pot at Home Depot
Spider plants produce long arching stems with miniature plantlets at the tips. They tolerate neglect, low light, and irregular watering. The NASA Clean Air Study in 1989 found that spider plants remove formaldehyde from indoor air. They are safe for both cats and dogs, and the plantlets are harmless if chewed. The most common variety is the green "Vittatum," but the reverse-variegated "Variegatum" ($11.99 at Lowe's) has white edges with a green center stripe.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Light: Bright indirect light (no direct sun) | Water: Every 2 to 3 days | Price: $14.99 for a 6-inch hanging basket at Walmart
Boston ferns require more humidity than most houseplants. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and mist the fronds 2 to 3 times per week with a spray bottle. They thrive in bathrooms where shower steam provides ambient humidity. The fronds grow 18 to 36 inches long, making a hanging basket the most practical display method. Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the fronds are tough enough to withstand casual batting from cats without damage.
3. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Light: Low to bright indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 14 days | Price: $19.99 for a 10-inch pot at IKEA
The parlor palm grows slowly, reaching a maximum height of 3 to 4 feet indoors over 5 to 10 years. It tolerates low light conditions that would kill most other palms. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. The fronds are non-toxic, and the fibrous texture deters most pets from chewing. IKEA carries the most affordable specimens, typically in 10-inch pots that are already 2 to 3 feet tall.
4. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days (bottom-watering preferred) | Price: $5.99 for a 2-inch pot at Trader Joe's
African violets produce flowers in purple, pink, white, and blue year-round under fluorescent or LED grow lights. They stay compact, rarely exceeding 6 inches in diameter, making them ideal for windowsills and desk tops. Water from the bottom by placing the pot in a saucer of water for 30 minutes, then removing it. Water on the leaves causes brown spots. They are completely non-toxic to cats and dogs.
5. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $29.99 for a 10-inch pot at Home Depot
The areca palm is a natural humidifier. NASA's Clean Air Study found it removes xylene and toluene from indoor air. It grows 6 to 8 inches per year and reaches 6 to 7 feet indoors. Each frond contains 40 to 60 leaflets that arch outward from a central crown. The areca palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the thick stems resist chewing. It requires more light than the parlor palm and does not tolerate dark corners.
6. Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)
Light: Medium to bright indirect light | Water: Every 10 to 14 days | Price: $7.99 for a 4-inch pot at Amazon (Hirt's Gardens)
Not to be confused with the ficus rubber plant (Ficus elastica), which is toxic to pets. Peperomia obtusifolia has thick, glossy, spoon-shaped leaves that are completely non-toxic. It grows 8 to 12 inches tall and thrives in the same conditions as succulents but with slightly more water. The variegated variety "Variegata" has cream-colored edges and costs $12.99 for a 4-inch pot at Logee's Greenhouses.
7. Calathea orbifolia
Light: Medium indirect light (no direct sun) | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $16.99 for a 4-inch pot at Etsy (GreenNinjaPlants)
Calatheas are known for their striking foliage. The orbifolia has round leaves up to 12 inches wide with silver-green stripes. It folds its leaves upward at night (a movement called nyctinasty) and unfurls them in the morning. Calatheas require distilled or filtered water, as tap water minerals cause brown leaf tips. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the large leaves are more likely to be ignored by pets than chewed.
8. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $6.99 for a 4-inch pot at Lowe's
Despite its name, Swedish ivy is neither Swedish nor a true ivy. It is a trailing plant from South Africa with scalloped, fragrant leaves that grow 2 to 3 feet long. It is one of the easiest trailing plants to grow indoors and works well in hanging baskets. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the scent deters most animals from chewing.
9. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Light: Medium to bright indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $15.99 for a 6-inch braided trunk at The Home Depot
The money tree is a tropical wetland tree that tolerates indoor conditions well. The braided trunk is a nursery technique where three to five seedlings are woven together as they grow. It can reach 6 feet indoors but grows slowly (4 to 6 inches per year). The leaves are non-toxic, and the thick trunk is not appealing to chew. It prefers humidity above 50%, so place it near a humidifier or in a bathroom.
10. Phalaenopsis Orchid (Moth Orchid)
Light: Bright indirect light (east or west window) | Water: Every 7 to 10 days (soak method) | Price: $19.99 for a blooming plant in a 5-inch pot at Costco
Moth orchids produce arching sprays of flowers that last 2 to 3 months. They are the most widely sold orchid species in the world, with over 60 registered hybrids. Water by submerging the pot in a bowl of room-temperature water for 15 minutes, then letting it drain completely. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Costco offers the best prices on blooming specimens, typically $19.99 for a plant with 6 to 10 open flowers.
11. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Light: Medium indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $9.99 for a 4-inch pot at Amazon
Prayer plants have oval leaves with red veins and a pattern that resembles a painted feather. Like calatheas, they fold their leaves at night. They stay compact (6 to 12 inches tall) and are ideal for tabletops. They are non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
12. Haworthia fasciata (Zebra Plant)
Light: Bright indirect to direct light | Water: Every 14 to 21 days | Price: $5.99 for a 2-inch pot at IKEA
Haworthias are succulents that look similar to aloe vera but are non-toxic (aloe vera is toxic to cats and dogs). The zebra plant has white horizontal stripes on dark green leaves and stays under 4 inches tall. It requires well-draining soil (cactus mix, $4.99 for an 8-quart bag at Home Depot) and a pot with a drainage hole. Water only when the soil is completely dry.
13. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $12.99 for a 4-inch blooming plant at Trader Joe's (seasonal, November to December)
Christmas cacti produce pink, red, white, or purple flowers at the tips of flat, segmented stems. They can live for 20 to 30 years with proper care. Unlike desert cacti, they are tropical plants that prefer humidity and regular watering. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the stems are too tough for most pets to chew.
14. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $4.99 for a 4-inch pot at Home Depot
The polka dot plant has pink, red, or white spots on green leaves. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall and maintains its color best in bright light. Without sufficient light, the spots fade to solid green. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the small size makes it easy to place on a shelf out of reach of curious pets.
15. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Light: Low to medium indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $24.99 for a 10-inch pot at Lowe's
The bamboo palm is similar in appearance to the parlor palm but grows taller (5 to 7 feet indoors) and has thinner, bamboo-like stems. NASA's Clean Air Study ranked it as the top plant for removing formaldehyde from indoor air. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
16. Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Light: Medium indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $13.99 for a 6-inch pot at Amazon
The bird's nest fern has broad, bright green fronds that grow in a rosette pattern resembling a bird's nest. The fronds can reach 24 inches long. Unlike many ferns, it does not require high humidity and tolerates average indoor conditions. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
17. Wax Plant (Hoya kerrii)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 14 to 21 days | Price: $8.99 for a single heart-shaped leaf in a 3-inch pot at IKEA
Hoya kerrii is sold as a single heart-shaped leaf rooted in soil. It grows slowly (a full vine takes 3 to 5 years to develop from a single leaf) but is nearly indestructible. Mature plants produce clusters of star-shaped pink flowers with a chocolate scent. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
18. Purple Waffle Plant (Hemigraphis alternata)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $6.99 for a 4-inch pot at Lowe's
The purple waffle plant has deeply textured, metallic-purple leaves with a puckered surface. It stays under 8 inches tall and works well as a ground cover in larger planters or as a standalone tabletop plant. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs and was also included in NASA's Clean Air Study for its air-purifying properties.
19. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Light: Medium indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $7.99 for a 4-inch pot at Amazon
The friendship plant has bronzy-green leaves with dark veins and a quilted texture. It grows 6 to 12 inches tall and produces small pink flowers in spring. It is easy to propagate from stem cuttings, which is how it earned its common name. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
20. Mosaic Plant (Fittonia verschaffeltii)
Light: Medium to bright indirect light | Water: Every 3 to 5 days | Price: $5.99 for a 2-inch pot at Trader Joe's
Fittonias have striking vein patterns in white, pink, or red against dark green leaves. They are dramatic "fainters" that collapse when the soil dries out but recover within hours of watering. They stay under 6 inches tall and are ideal for terrariums. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
21. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Light: Bright indirect to direct light | Water: Every 14 to 21 days | Price: $22.99 for a 10-inch pot at Home Depot
The ponytail palm stores water in its swollen trunk base, allowing it to survive weeks without watering. It grows 1 to 2 feet per year and can reach 6 to 8 feet indoors. The long, thin leaves cascade outward like a ponytail. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the tough, leathery leaves are unappealing to chew.
22. Dwarf Banana Plant (Musa acuminata 'Super Dwarf Cavendish')
Light: Bright direct to indirect light | Water: Every 5 to 7 days | Price: $24.99 for a 6-inch pot at Logee's Greenhouses
The dwarf banana plant grows 4 to 6 feet tall indoors and produces large, tropical leaves up to 24 inches long. It requires a south-facing window or a grow light (Soltech Solutions Grove LED Grow Light, $129.99). It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the leaves are tough enough that pets rarely attempt to eat them.
23. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Soak in water for 15 minutes every 7 to 10 days | Price: $18.99 for a 6-inch mounted specimen at Etsy
Staghorn ferns are typically mounted on wooden boards or hung in wire baskets. They have two types of fronds: flat, shield-like basal fronds that attach to the mounting surface, and antler-shaped fertile fronds that grow outward. They absorb water through their fronds, not their roots. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
24. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Light: Bright indirect light | Water: Every 7 to 10 days | Price: $11.99 for a 6-inch hanging basket at Amazon
The lipstick plant produces clusters of red flowers that emerge from dark purple tubular buds, resembling tubes of lipstick. It is a trailing plant that grows 18 to 24 inches long. It blooms most heavily in summer and fall. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
25. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Light: Low to medium indirect light | Water: Every 14 to 21 days | Price: $16.99 for a 6-inch pot at Plant Delights Nursery
The cast iron plant earned its name by surviving conditions that kill nearly every other houseplant: low light, neglect, temperature fluctuations, and irregular watering. It has dark green, lance-shaped leaves that grow 24 inches long and 4 inches wide. It grows slowly (2 to 3 new leaves per year) but can live for decades. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the tough, leathery leaves resist chewing.
Plants to Avoid: The Most Common Toxic Houseplants
The following popular houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs and should not be brought into a home with pets:
| Plant | Toxic Compound | Symptoms in Pets |
|---|---|---|
| Lily (Lilium spp.) | Unknown toxin | Kidney failure in cats (fatal without treatment); vomiting, lethargy in dogs |
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Calcium oxalate crystals | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing |
| Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) | Calcium oxalate crystals | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting |
| Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) | Calcium oxalate crystals | Intense oral burning, drooling, swelling of the mouth |
| Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) | Cycasin | Liver failure, vomiting, seizures, death |
| Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) | Saponins, anthraquinones | Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy |
| Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) | Unknown toxin | Vomiting, depression, incoordination |
| Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) | Saponins | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Plant
Remove any plant material from the pet's mouth. Identify the plant by its scientific name (take a photo of the plant and its tag). Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (a $95 consultation fee applies) or your local 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a professional. Bring a sample of the plant to the veterinarian if possible.