Pet Safe Houseplants: 25 Non-Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs
Pet safe houseplants listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, sorted by light level and care, plus common toxic plants to avoid and safety tips.
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Pet safe houseplants are plants listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, such as spider plant, Boston fern, calathea, prayer plant, parlor palm, cast iron plant, peperomia, Hoya carnosa, African violet and Phalaenopsis orchids. The table below sorts 25 of them by light and care level, followed by popular plants that are toxic and some practical safety tips. Always confirm a specific plant on the ASPCA list, and talk to your vet if your pet eats any plant.
"Non-toxic" doesn't mean edible. It means the plant isn't known to cause poisoning in that animal, based on reports collected by poison control services. A cat that chews a spider plant may still vomit, especially if it eats a lot. But choosing non-toxic plants takes the most serious risks off the table, which matters if you have a curious kitten or a puppy that chews everything.
25 pet-safe houseplants
| Plant | Light | Care | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | Medium to bright | Easy | Cats love chewing it; see spider plant care |
| Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) | Bright indirect | Moderate | Needs humidity; see Boston fern care |
| Calathea / Goeppertia | Medium to bright | Moderate | See calathea care |
| Prayer plant (Maranta) | Medium | Moderate | See prayer plant care |
| Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | Low to medium | Easy | Good for dim rooms |
| Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) | Bright indirect | Moderate | Large, airy |
| Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) | Bright, some sun | Easy | Succulent-like trunk |
| Cast iron plant (Aspidistra) | Very low to bright | Very easy | See cast iron plant care |
| Peperomia (most species) | Medium to bright | Easy | See peperomia care |
| Hoya carnosa | Bright indirect | Easy | See hoya care |
| Phalaenopsis orchid | Medium to bright | Moderate | Long-flowering |
| African violet (Saintpaulia) | Bright indirect | Moderate | Flowers year-round |
| Haworthia | Bright | Easy | Small succulent |
| Echeveria | Sunny | Easy | Needs strong light |
| Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) | Bright indirect | Easy | Winter flowers |
| Polka dot plant (Hypoestes) | Bright indirect | Moderate | Colourful, short-lived |
| Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) | Bright indirect | Easy | Round leaves, many offsets |
| Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) | Low to medium | Easy | Tolerates drier air than most ferns |
| Bromeliads (e.g. Guzmania) | Bright indirect | Easy | Colourful bracts |
| Money tree (Pachira aquatica) | Medium to bright | Easy | See money tree care |
| Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) | Medium | Easy | Textured leaves |
| Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) | Medium to bright | Easy | Trailing |
| Air plants (Tillandsia) | Bright indirect | Easy | Generally listed as non-toxic |
| Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis) | Medium | Moderate | One of the easier calatheas |
| Herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme | Sunny | Easy | Kitchen windowsill |
Listings based on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. Plant names in the trade can be confusing, so check the botanical name on the ASPCA list before buying.
Pet-safe plants by light level
Low light
Cast iron plant, parlor palm, bird's nest fern, prayer plant, rattlesnake plant and some peperomias. For a deeper list of options for dim rooms, see low light plants safe for cats.
Medium light
Spider plant, calathea, Chinese money plant, friendship plant, Swedish ivy, money tree and Phalaenopsis orchids.
Bright light
Boston fern (indirect), areca palm, ponytail palm, hoya, African violet, bromeliads, polka dot plant.
Sunny windowsill
Haworthia, echeveria, Christmas cactus (bright but not harsh), and herbs like basil and rosemary.
Use the low light plant finder to filter plants by your light and by pet safety.
Popular houseplants that are toxic to pets
| Plant | Toxic to | What it contains / effect |
|---|---|---|
| True lilies (Lilium), daylilies (Hemerocallis) | Cats (severe) | Can cause kidney failure in cats even from small amounts, pollen or vase water |
| Pothos | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate crystals; mouth irritation, drooling |
| Philodendron | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate crystals |
| Monstera | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate crystals |
| Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate (not a true lily) |
| Snake plant | Cats and dogs | Saponins; stomach upset |
| ZZ plant | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate crystals |
| Aloe vera | Cats and dogs | Saponins, anthraquinones |
| Jade plant | Cats and dogs | Stomach upset, lethargy |
| Dieffenbachia | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate; severe mouth irritation |
| Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) | Cats and dogs (severe) | Can cause liver failure |
| Rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig | Cats and dogs | Irritant sap |
| English ivy | Cats and dogs | Saponins |
| Alocasia | Cats and dogs | Calcium oxalate crystals |
This isn't a complete list. When in doubt, look it up on the ASPCA database before bringing it home.
Keeping pets and plants safe together
- Check before you buy. Look up the botanical name, not just the common name.
- Place toxic plants out of reach. High shelves, hanging planters or closed rooms, but remember cats climb.
- Give cats their own plants. A pot of cat grass (usually wheat or oat grass) or catnip can redirect chewing.
- Avoid pesticides and leaf shine on plants pets can reach.
- Cover soil with large pebbles if pets dig or use pots as litter boxes.
- Watch the drip tray. Pets sometimes drink from saucers that contain fertiliser.
- Be extra careful with lilies if you have cats, including bouquets.
Why so many houseplants are toxic
Many of the most popular houseplants belong to the aroid family (Araceae): pothos, philodendron, monstera, peace lily, ZZ plant, alocasia, dieffenbachia and Chinese evergreen. These plants contain needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate in their leaves and stems. When chewed, the crystals pierce the mouth and throat, causing pain, drooling and swelling. That usually stops an animal from eating much, so serious poisoning from aroids is uncommon, but it's unpleasant and worth avoiding.
Other plants contain different compounds. Snake plants and aloe contain saponins, which upset the stomach. Sago palms contain cycasin, which damages the liver. True lilies affect cats' kidneys through a toxin that hasn't been fully identified, and even small exposures can be dangerous. Knowing the family of a plant gives you a quick first guess at its risk, but always check the specific plant.
Cats vs dogs: is the list the same?
For most plants, the ASPCA lists the same rating for cats and dogs. The notable exceptions are lilies, which are especially dangerous to cats, and a few plants that affect horses differently. If a plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, it's a good pick for a mixed household.
Signs your pet may have eaten a toxic plant
Drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite and, with some plants, more serious signs. If you suspect your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your vet or an animal poison control line immediately and have the plant's name or a photo ready. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.
A pet-safe starter collection
If you're starting from scratch, these combinations cover most rooms with plants that are both forgiving and listed as non-toxic:
| Room | Suggested plants |
|---|---|
| Dim living room | Cast iron plant, parlor palm |
| Bright bathroom | Boston fern, bird's nest fern, calathea |
| Kitchen windowsill | Herbs, haworthia, African violet |
| Office desk | Peperomia, Chinese money plant |
| Hanging basket | Spider plant, hoya, Swedish ivy |
| Statement plant | Areca palm, money tree |
Sources and further reading
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list, the primary reference for this page.
- FDA: Lilies and cats, on lily toxicity in cats.
- Pet Poison Helpline: Poisons, for symptoms and emergency information.
Frequently asked questions
What houseplants are safe for cats and dogs?
Plants listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA include spider plant, Boston fern, calathea, prayer plant, parlor palm, areca palm, ponytail palm, cast iron plant, peperomia, Hoya carnosa, African violet, Phalaenopsis orchid, haworthia, polka dot plant and Chinese money plant, among others.
Are there any low light houseplants safe for pets?
Yes. Cast iron plant, parlor palm, prayer plant, calathea, Boston fern, bird's nest fern and some peperomias tolerate lower light and are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. Our separate guide covers low light plants safe for cats in more detail.
Which common houseplants are toxic to cats?
Lilies (true lilies and daylilies are extremely dangerous to cats), pothos, philodendron, monstera, snake plant, ZZ plant, peace lily, aloe vera, jade plant, dieffenbachia, sago palm, rubber plant and fiddle leaf fig are all listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats.
Can non-toxic plants still make my pet sick?
Yes. Non-toxic means the plant isn't known to cause poisoning, but eating a lot of any plant material can cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Pesticides, fertilisers and plant food on leaves or in soil can also be harmful.
What should I do if my pet eats a toxic plant?
Contact your vet or an animal poison control service straight away, and have the plant's name or a photo ready. In the US the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline are available. Don't wait for symptoms, especially with lilies and cats.