Sharing your home with cats or dogs doesn’t mean giving up on greenery. Plenty of beautiful, easy-going houseplants are non-toxic to pets, so you can fill your windowsills without the worry. Below you’ll find 20 pet-friendly picks (all listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA), each with a quick care note covering light, water, and size. For deeper how-tos, see our full plant & flower care guide.
Key takeaways
- All 20 plants below are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, but “non-toxic” still means supervise and discourage nibbling.
- Most pet-safe favorites are forgiving foliage plants like ferns, palms, calatheas, and peperomias.
- Group them by light: bright-indirect for hoyas and African violets, lower light for parlor palms and Boston ferns.
- Overwatering kills more pet-safe plants than pets do, so let the top inch or two of soil dry between drinks.
- Even safe plants can cause mild stomach upset if eaten in quantity, so place tempting trailers out of reach.
A quick note before you shop: “non-toxic” on the ASPCA list means a plant is not expected to cause serious poisoning, not that it’s meant to be eaten. Chewing on any plant can still cause vomiting, drooling, or diarrhea, and pesticides or fertilizers on the leaves can be harmful. Always supervise curious pets, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center if your animal eats a large amount of anything.
Foliage favorites: ferns, palms & calatheas
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is the gold standard of pet-safe greenery: nearly indestructible, fast-growing, and famous for its arching striped leaves and dangling “spiderettes.” Give it bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil dries; it tolerates the occasional missed watering. It stays compact at about 12–18 inches but spreads wide, so hang it up where playful paws can’t bat at the babies. Our detailed spider plant care guide covers propagation step by step.
Calathea (Calathea spp. / Goeppertia)
Calatheas earn their nickname “living plants” thanks to leaves that fold up at night and unfurl by day, decorated with stunning painted patterns. They prefer medium to bright indirect light (direct sun fades the markings) and consistently moist soil with high humidity; filtered or distilled water keeps leaf edges from browning. Most stay under two feet tall, making them perfect tabletop plants. See our climate-specific calathea care notes for humidity tips.
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
A close cousin of the calathea, the prayer plant raises its boldly veined leaves skyward each evening as if in prayer. It thrives in medium indirect light and likes to stay evenly moist, never soggy or bone-dry, with a humidity boost from a pebble tray or grouping. Low and trailing at 6–12 inches tall, it looks great spilling over a shelf or in a hanging basket out of a cat’s reach.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Victorian-era parlor palm is one of the best palms for low-light corners and a reliable pet-safe statement plant. It handles low to medium indirect light and prefers its soil to dry slightly between waterings; it dislikes wet feet, so empty the saucer. Slow-growing to 2–4 feet indoors, it adds height without dominating a room. If your home runs dim, browse more options in our low-light houseplants roundup.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Also called the butterfly or golden cane palm, the areca brings feathery, tropical drama to a bright room. Give it bright, indirect light and keep the soil lightly moist in summer, letting the top inch dry in winter; it appreciates humidity and hates cold drafts. It can reach 6–7 feet indoors over time, so it’s ideal for filling a sunny floor corner pets can’t easily knock over.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The classic Boston fern, with its lush cascading fronds, is a pet-safe staple for hanging baskets. It loves bright indirect light, consistently moist soil, and high humidity, making a bathroom or kitchen window a sweet spot; let it dry out and the fronds shed fast. Mature plants spread 2–3 feet across, so hang it high where shedding fronds won’t become a chew toy.
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Unlike the frilly Boston fern, the bird’s nest fern grows in a tidy rosette of glossy, ripple-edged fronds that emerge from a central “nest.” It prefers medium to low indirect light and steady moisture, but water around the crown rather than into it to prevent rot. Compact at 1–2 feet, it’s a tidy choice for shelves and side tables in pet households.
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The braided-trunk money tree is a feng shui favorite and entirely pet-safe, topped with glossy hand-shaped leaves. It likes bright, indirect light and deep but infrequent watering: soak thoroughly, then let the top couple of inches dry out before the next round. Indoors it commonly reaches 3–6 feet, giving you tree-like presence without toxic worries.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Not a true palm but a succulent, the ponytail palm stores water in its swollen “elephant foot” base and sprays out a fountain of curly leaves. It wants bright light and very little water, drying out fully between deep soaks, which makes it nearly impossible to overlove. Slow-growing to 2–4 feet indoors, it’s a striking, drought-proof option for forgetful or busy pet owners.
Compact tabletop & trailing picks
Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
The huge peperomia family is almost entirely pet-safe and packed with charming, often succulent-like foliage in ripples, ovals, and watermelon stripes. Most prefer medium to bright indirect light and thrive on neglect, wanting the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering. Compact at 6–12 inches, they’re perfect for crowded plant shelves and small apartments.
Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
A standout peperomia worth naming on its own, the baby rubber plant has thick, glossy, spoon-shaped leaves (sometimes variegated cream and green) that store water like a succulent. Give it bright indirect light and let the soil dry well between waterings; soggy roots are its main enemy. It stays bushy and small at around 10–12 inches, ideal for desks and windowsills.
Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
The wax plant, or hoya, trails waxy, succulent leaves and rewards patience with clusters of fragrant, star-shaped blooms. It loves bright, indirect light and prefers to dry out almost completely between waterings, so it’s forgiving of busy schedules. Vines can grow several feet long, so train it up a trellis or hang it where dangling tendrils stay out of paw range.
African Violet (Saintpaulia / Streptocarpus)
For pet-safe color, the African violet blooms in purple, pink, and white almost year-round on a compact rosette. It wants bright, indirect light and lukewarm water applied to the soil (not the fuzzy leaves) once the surface feels dry to the touch. Tiny at 4–6 inches across, it’s a cheerful windowsill plant that fits anywhere.
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
The polka dot plant splashes its leaves with pink, white, or red freckles for a playful pop of color. It prefers bright, indirect light to keep the speckling vivid and likes evenly moist soil with decent humidity; it wilts dramatically (but recovers) if it dries out. Compact at 8–12 inches, it’s a fun, kid- and pet-friendly accent that pairs well with green foliage.
Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Named for how easily it’s shared as cuttings, the friendship plant has deeply textured, quilted leaves in bronze and green. It enjoys medium to bright indirect light and consistently moist (not soggy) soil plus humidity, making it a great terrarium candidate. Low-growing to about 6–12 inches, it spreads into a soft, fuzzy mound on a shelf.
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)
Despite the name, Swedish ivy is neither Swedish nor true ivy, but a fast, fuss-free trailer with scalloped, glossy leaves. It grows in medium to bright indirect light and likes the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; pinch it back to keep it full. Trailing to a foot or more, it’s a lovely, safe substitute for toxic English ivy in hanging baskets.
Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)
The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) is the easiest orchid for beginners and safe around pets, with long-lasting blooms in nearly every color. It prefers bright, indirect light and a weekly thorough watering of its bark mix, allowing it to drain fully so roots never sit wet. Flower spikes rise 1–2 feet, adding elegant, long-blooming height to a bright sill.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
True to its name, the cast iron plant tolerates neglect, low light, and irregular watering better than almost any other houseplant. Its broad, deep-green leaves do best in low to medium indirect light, and you only need to water once the top couple of inches dry out. Slow but steady to 2–3 feet, it’s a bulletproof pet-safe choice for dim hallways.
Parlor-Friendly Pilea: Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
The Instagram-famous Chinese money plant carries round, coin-shaped leaves on slender stalks and pups freely for easy sharing. It likes bright, indirect light (rotate it for even growth) and watering once the top inch dries, with good drainage to avoid root rot. Compact at 8–12 inches, it’s a modern, pet-safe centerpiece for any desk.
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
This eye-catching peperomia wears teardrop leaves striped in silver and green, just like a watermelon rind, on reddish stems. It prefers medium to bright indirect light and wants the soil to dry partway down before watering, as its thick leaves hold reserves. Petite at around 8 inches, it’s a safe, decorative little plant that thrives on benign neglect.
Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Rounding out the list, the lipstick plant trails glossy vines and pushes out tubular red blooms that emerge from dark “tube” buds like a lipstick. It loves bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil during growth, drying slightly in winter, plus a bit of humidity to bloom well. Vines reach 1–2 feet, so hang it high for a colorful, cat-safe cascade.
Frequently asked questions
Are these plants completely safe if my cat or dog eats them?
No plant is truly “eat-all-you-want” safe. The ASPCA lists these as non-toxic, meaning they aren’t expected to cause serious poisoning, but chewing any plant can still trigger mild vomiting, drooling, or diarrhea. Pesticides, fertilizers, or fungicides on the leaves can also harm pets, so always supervise and discourage nibbling.
Which pet-safe plant is easiest for a total beginner?
The spider plant, peperomia, ponytail palm, and cast iron plant are the most forgiving. They tolerate missed waterings and a range of light levels. The spider plant in particular grows fast and propagates easily, so you can quickly turn one plant into many. See our spider plant care guide to get started.
What are good pet-safe plants for a dark apartment?
Parlor palm, cast iron plant, and bird’s nest fern all handle lower light gracefully, while peperomias tolerate medium light. For a fuller list of options suited to dim rooms, check our low-light houseplants guide. Avoid pushing bright-light plants like hoyas and African violets into dark corners.
How do I keep my cat from chewing on my plants?
Place trailing plants like hoya and Swedish ivy in hanging baskets or on high shelves, and offer a pot of cat grass or catnip as a “legal” alternative to chew. Some owners use citrus peels or pet-safe deterrent sprays nearby. Consistent redirection works better than scolding.
My pet ate part of a non-toxic plant. Should I worry?
A small nibble of a non-toxic plant usually only causes mild, short-lived stomach upset. Watch for persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and remove the plant from reach. If your pet ate a large amount or you’re unsure of the species, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) right away.
With these 20 pet-safe picks, you can build a lush indoor jungle that’s friendly to cats and dogs alike. Mix forgiving foliage like spider plants and peperomias with a few flowering accents such as African violets and orchids for variety. For step-by-step watering, light, and propagation advice on each one, return any time to our plant & flower care guide.