Pet Safe Houseplants: 8 Non-Toxic Picks for Any Room

You don't have to give up a leafy home because you share it with a dog or cat. Parlor palm, cast iron plant, money tree, spider plant, Boston fern, calathea, haworthia and burro's tail are all listed as non-toxic to both. Below they're sorted by size and by where they fit.

Plenty of popular plants are not on that list. Fiddle leaf fig, sago palm, aloe and jade are toxic, so double-check the botanical name against the ASPCA plant database before you buy. Common names can be misleading. For a longer list, see our 25 safe houseplants for dogs and cats.

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What houseplants are safe for dogs?

Non-toxic doesn't mean edible. Any plant material can upset a stomach if a pet chews enough of it, so watch how your animal reacts to a new plant. If your pet eats something and seems unwell, call your vet.

It also helps to know the other side. Our guide to houseplants poisonous to dogs covers the ones to keep out of the house.

Large pet safe houseplants for corners and floors

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The easy swap for toxic tropicals. Its arching fronds soften hard-edged furniture, and indoors it commonly reaches a few feet tall. Give it bright, indirect light and keep it out of hot direct sun, which scorches leaves.

Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Tough, upright and slow growing, so it suits narrow spots where a spreading plant would get in the way. It's the usual pick for a dim hallway, though it will still look better with more light. A pair flanking a media console looks tidy.

Money tree (Pachira aquatica)

The braided trunk gives you a focal point. It dislikes dry air, so keep it away from radiators and heating vents, or the leaves will brown and drop where your pet can reach them.

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Shelf and table plants

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The dangling baby plants are exactly what cats like to bat. As an architect, I'd hang it or put it on a high shelf, well out of paw range. If your cat is a determined chewer, choose a different plant.

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Full and feathery, and safe. It also sheds small leaflets, especially when dry, and they hide in a high-pile rug. It's a better fit for hardwood or low-pile floors, on a stand or tall cabinet.

Calathea (prayer plant family)

Patterned leaves that fold up at night. A group of a few varieties on a wide console looks great. Keep them back from the edge, since a curious nose can knock a pot off.

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Small pet safe houseplants

Haworthia (zebra plant)

The spiky, striped look of an aloe without the toxicity. It stays small, so it works on a windowsill, a coffee table or a bathroom vanity that gets daylight.

Burro's tail (Sedum morganianum)

Thick, ropey trailing stems. The leaves pop off at a touch, and fallen ones are tempting to crunch. Hang it high, away from tails and passing elbows.

Pet friendly indoor plants low light: what to expect

Cast iron plant and parlor palm are the most forgiving here. Still, Iowa State Extension notes that most houseplants, even low-light ones, grow and look their best in bright, indirect light. Distance matters too: the same extension says areas more than a few feet from even a bright window often have light that is too low for houseplants.

If you're unsure where your light falls, read how to use natural light for houseplants. In a windowless room, use a grow light or choose a good faux plant.

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Pots, stands and soil that keep plants put

• Use heavy ceramic or stone pots with a wide base. Lightweight plastic nursery pots tip easily, and tapered pots are unstable around big dogs.
• Choose stands with a weighted base or a box frame over spindly tripods.
• Cover the soil with stones too large to swallow if your pet digs. Skip small pebbles.
• Keep anything fragile above the tail-swat zone, roughly 24-30 inches off the floor.

Watering is where most plants fail. Extension specialists at the University of Wisconsin say improper watering is a primary cause of plant death. West Virginia University Extension advises soaking the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes. Do that in a sink, let it drain fully, then return the plant to its decorative pot so pets can't drink the runoff.

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If you want something taller than these, check the pet-friendly indoor trees list.

Frequently asked questions