Sharing your home with a curious cat or dog doesn't mean giving up on greenery. Plenty of beautiful houseplants are non-toxic to pets, the ones below are recognized as safe (non-toxic) by the ASPCA. As a rule, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing any plant, since nibbled foliage can cause mild stomach upset, but none of these contain the toxins that make plants genuinely dangerous.
1. Calatheas & prayer plants
Non-toxic and stunning, with patterned leaves that fold up at night. They prefer medium indirect light and steady moisture. Full calathea care →
2. Spider plant
One of the safest, easiest choices around. Spider plants are non-toxic, fast-growing, and produce baby "pups" you can share. Cats are often drawn to the dangling leaves, harmless, if a little nibbled.
3. Peperomia
Compact, varied, and pet-safe. Peperomias come in dozens of leaf shapes and textures, stay small enough for shelves, and ask only for bright indirect light and occasional watering.
4. Hoya (wax plant)
Trailing, long-lived, and non-toxic, with the bonus of star-shaped blooms. Hoyas are a safe way to add a hanging or climbing plant to a pet home. Full hoya care →
5. True ferns
Boston ferns, autumn ferns and most true ferns are pet-safe and add soft, feathery texture. The Autumn Fern is a hardy choice; ferns mainly want humidity and consistent moisture.
6. Areca & ponytail palm
Want height? The Areca Palm and Ponytail Palm are both non-toxic and bring a relaxed, tropical feel without the risk.
Plants to keep away from pets
For reference, common houseplants that are toxic to cats and dogs include pothos, philodendron, monstera, snake plant, ZZ plant, aloe, and dieffenbachia. They're fine to own, just place them well out of reach.
Shop pet-friendly plants
Browse our full catalog and build a pet-safe collection with calatheas, spider plants, peperomias, hoyas, ferns, and palms.
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