Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

If you share your home with cats or dogs, you already know that anything new entering the house is subject to immediate inspection — and occasionally a taste test. 😂

While some popular houseplants can be toxic to pets, there are plenty of beautiful options considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Whether you're looking for something trailing, tropical, colorful or easy to grow, having curious pets doesn't mean you have to give up your houseplant collection.

Of course, pet-friendly doesn't mean pet-proof. Even non-toxic plants aren't meant to become an afternoon snack, and eating plant material can still cause stomach upset. For the sake of both your plants and your furry roommates, keeping houseplants out of reach is always a good idea.

If you have a specific plant in mind, don't rely on a common name or a random graphic you found online. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains an excellent database of toxic and non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and horses and is a great resource when you're unsure.

Below are some of our favorite pet-friendlier houseplants to look for while you're shopping.

Pet-Safe Houseplants

Calathea & Goeppertia

If you're a foliage person, this is a great place to start. Calatheas and their relatives come in some seriously beautiful colors and patterns, from stripes and spots to deep greens and purples.

They're considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, although they can be a little dramatic about their care. Give them good humidity, consistent moisture and bright indirect light and they'll be much happier.

Great for: Colorful foliage, medium-light spaces and plant parents who don't mind a little drama.

Maranta | Prayer Plants

Prayer plants are another great option for pet-friendly homes and one of the coolest plants to watch grow. Their leaves naturally move throughout the day and tend to lift upward in the evening — which is where the "prayer plant" nickname comes from.

They're also beautiful trailing plants as they mature.

Great for: Shelves, hanging pots and anyone who loves interesting foliage.

Peperomia

Peperomia might be one of the most underrated groups of houseplants.

There are so many different varieties that they barely look related — rippled leaves, watermelon stripes, tiny trailing leaves, thick succulent-like foliage and everything in between.

Many Peperomia varieties stay relatively compact, making them especially nice when you don't have room for another enormous plant. (Not that lack of room has ever stopped us.)

Great for: Small spaces, desktops, shelves and plant collectors who somehow need "just one more."

Hoya

If you've shopped Below the Node for any length of time, you probably already know I have a soft spot for Hoyas.

They can trail, climb, wrap around a trellis and eventually reward you with some of the coolest flowers in the houseplant world. There are also enough species and varieties to turn "I'll just get one" into an entirely separate plant collection.

Most Hoyas are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Great for: Hanging baskets, trellises, bright indirect light and people who enjoy collecting different varieties.

Pilea peperomioides | Chinese Money Plant

Those round, coin-shaped leaves make this one instantly recognizable.

Pilea peperomioides stays relatively compact, produces adorable little babies around the base as it matures and is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Great for: Bright spaces, shelves and sharing baby plants with friends.

Ponytail Palm

Despite the name, the Ponytail Palm isn't actually a palm — but we'll forgive it for the identity crisis.

Its thick trunk stores water, while the long, curly foliage gives it a completely different look from most houseplants. It's also considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

One warning: those long leaves can be very tempting to cats who enjoy recreational plant destruction.

Great for: Bright light, people who occasionally forget to water and homes that need something with a little height.

Parlor Palm

If you want that classic tropical palm look without bringing home one of the palm species that may be problematic for pets, the Parlor Palm is a great option.

They're considered non-toxic to cats and dogs and can tolerate somewhat lower light than many other houseplants.

Great for: Floor plants, tropical vibes and spaces without blazing-bright windows.

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Yes — orchids!

Phalaenopsis orchids are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a great option if you want something that flowers instead of another foliage plant.

And despite their reputation, they're really not as intimidating as people think once you understand what they need.

Great for: Flowers, bright indirect light and anyone ready to give orchids another chance.

Spider Plants

Spider plants are classics for a reason. They're easygoing, fast-growing and produce those adorable little plantlets that eventually hang over the sides of the pot.

They're considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Unfortunately, the long grassy leaves also seem to scream SALAD BAR to certain cats, so placement may still be important. 😂

Great for: Beginners, hanging baskets and anyone who likes plants that make lots of babies.

Fittonia | Nerve Plants

Fittonias pack a ridiculous amount of color into a tiny plant. Their patterned leaves can feature white, pink, red or green veining, and they generally stay fairly compact.

They're considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

They are, however, famous for dramatically collapsing when they're thirsty and then magically recovering after a drink.

Great for: Small spaces, terrariums and people who appreciate a plant with theatrical tendencies.

Pet-Safe Doesn't Mean Pet-Proof

What exactly does 'pet-safe' mean?

When we say a plant is pet-safe, what we really mean is that it's generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. That doesn't mean your pet should eat it.

Eating plant material can still cause stomach upset, and products used on or around a plant — including fertilizers, pesticides and other treatments — may have their own risks.

And because plant names can be confusing, never rely on a common name alone when determining whether a plant is safe for your pet.

If you think your pet has eaten a potentially toxic plant or is showing unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

What About Plants That Aren't Pet-Safe?

Plenty of extremely popular houseplants aren't considered non-toxic to cats and dogs — including many Aroids.

That doesn't necessarily mean pet owners can never own them. Every household is different. Some pets couldn't care less about plants; others apparently wake up every morning and choose violence against the Monstera.

If you have a plant-chewer, choosing non-toxic plants or keeping other plants completely out of reach may be the better option.

Shopping for a Pet-Friendly Plant?

Inventory at Below the Node changes constantly, so I don't keep a permanent list of pet-friendly plants currently in stock.

If you're shopping and aren't sure about something, send me a message with the plant name or a photo of the label. I'm happy to help you identify it and point you toward a pet-friendlier option.

And when you're researching plants on your own, I recommend checking the ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database rather than trusting a random graphic floating around social media.