Houseplants listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA include spider plant, calathea, prayer plant, peperomia, parlor palm, areca palm, money tree, Boston fern, bird's nest fern, African violet, moth orchid and hoya, plus the rest of the 25 below. The most popular houseplants to avoid are pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant, monstera, philodendron and peace lily.
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The easiest pet-safe houseplants
Forgiving of missed waterings and so-so light. Start here if you've never kept a plant alive.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | Low to bright | Nearly unkillable, grows babies you can share. Hang it if your cat chews. |
| 2 | Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) | Medium to bright | Thick leaves store water. Not to be confused with the toxic rubber plant. |
| 3 | Hoya / wax plant (Hoya carnosa) | Bright indirect | Slow, tough, trailing, with scented flower clusters. |
| 4 | Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) | Bright | Stores water in its trunk. Perfect for forgetful waterers. |
| 5 | Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) | Low | Earned its name. Handles dim corners and neglect. |
More: shop pet-safe plants for beginners
Pet-safe plants for low light
For north-facing rooms and spots far from a window. If you can read a book there in the daytime without a lamp, these will do fine.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Calathea (Calathea / Goeppertia) | Low to medium | Painted, patterned leaves. Likes humidity and filtered water. |
| 7 | Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) | Low to medium | Leaves fold up at night. Easier than most calatheas. |
| 8 | Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | Low to medium | The low-light palm. Slow-growing and easy. |
| 9 | Ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) | Medium | Crinkled, textured leaves in green, red or silver. |
More: shop pet-safe low light plants · best low light plants for pet owners
Pet-safe ferns
True ferns are some of the safest plants for pets. Just avoid the "asparagus fern," which isn't a real fern and is toxic.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) | Medium to bright | Classic lush fronds. Loves a bright bathroom. |
| 11 | Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) | Low to medium | The easiest fern. Handles normal household humidity. |
| 12 | Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) | Medium | Delicate and lacy. Needs steady moisture and humidity. |
| 13 | Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) | Bright indirect | Sculptural. Can be mounted on a wall out of pets' reach. |
More: shop pet-safe ferns
Pet-safe palms and indoor trees
Big, statement plants that replace toxic favorites like fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant and monstera.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) | Bright indirect | Grows to 6 ft+ indoors. The go-to fiddle leaf fig swap. |
| 15 | Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) | Medium | Tall, clumping canes. Handles less light than areca. |
| 16 | Money tree (Pachira aquatica) | Medium to bright | Braided trunk, glossy hand-shaped leaves. |
More: shop pet-safe palms
Not every "palm" is safe. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) isn't a true palm, and it's one of the most dangerous plants for dogs and cats. Even a small amount can cause liver failure.
Pet-safe flowering plants
Color without the risk. Remember that true lilies (Easter, tiger, Asiatic, daylilies) are extremely dangerous to cats, even the pollen.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | African violet (Saintpaulia) | Bright indirect | Blooms on and off all year on a windowsill. |
| 18 | Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) | Bright indirect | Blooms last for months. Easier than its reputation. |
| 19 | Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus) | Bright indirect | Trailing, with tubular red flowers. Great in a hanging basket. |
| 20 | Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) | Bright indirect | Reliable holiday blooms, year after year. |
| 21 | Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) | Bright | Big, cheerful blooms. Often grown as a seasonal pot. |
Pet-safe plants for small spaces
For desks, shelves and windowsills.
| # | Plant | Light | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Zebra haworthia (Haworthia) | Bright | A safe succulent, unlike aloe or jade. Tiny and tough. |
| 23 | Polka dot plant (Hypoestes) | Bright indirect | Pink or white splashed leaves. Pinch to keep it bushy. |
| 24 | Nerve plant (Fittonia) | Medium | Bold veined leaves. Loves humidity; great in a terrarium. |
| 25 | String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) | Bright indirect | Trailing strands of tiny heart-shaped leaves. Hang it high. |
More: shop pet-safe peperomias, another great family for small spaces
Popular houseplants that are toxic to pets
These show up on almost every "easy houseplant" list, and all are listed as toxic to cats, dogs or both by the ASPCA:
| Toxic plant | Pet-safe swap |
|---|---|
| Pothos | Hoya or string of hearts |
| Snake plant | Ponytail palm or cast iron plant |
| ZZ plant | Baby rubber plant |
| Monstera / philodendron | Calathea orbifolia |
| Fiddle leaf fig / rubber plant | Areca palm or money tree |
| Peace lily | Moth orchid |
| Jade plant / aloe vera | Zebra haworthia |
| Sago palm | Parlor palm |
See the full list in our guide to plants toxic to cats and dogs, or check any plant in our free plant safety lookup tool.
Tips for plants in a home with pets
If you have cats
- Cats climb, so "out of reach" means hanging planters or shelves with no launch point nearby.
- Trailing and grassy plants (spider plant, string of hearts) get the most attention. Hang them high.
- A pot of cat grass gives chewers something they're allowed to eat.
If you have dogs
- Dogs are more likely to dig or knock a pot over than to nibble leaves. Use heavy, wide ceramic pots.
- Keep floor plants out of high-traffic play zones and away from wagging tails.
- Empty saucers after watering so dogs don't drink the runoff.
For everyone
- "Non-toxic" means it won't poison your pet, not that it's food. Eating a lot of any plant can cause a mild upset stomach.
- Store fertilizers and pest sprays where pets can't reach them. Some are toxic even when the plant isn't.
- Save the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number in your phone: (888) 426-4435.
FAQ
How can I check if a plant is safe for my pet?
Look it up by its scientific name on the ASPCA's cat and dog plant lists, or use our lookup tool. Common names are unreliable: "rubber plant" and "baby rubber plant" are completely different plants with different safety.
Are there large houseplants safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. Areca palm, bamboo palm, parlor palm and money tree are all listed as non-toxic and can grow into floor-standing statement plants.
Can a plant be safe for dogs but not cats?
Yes, the ASPCA lists cat and dog safety separately. Every plant in this guide is listed as non-toxic to both.
What should I do if my pet eats a plant?
If you're not sure what the plant is, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a fee may apply). Don't induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
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Shop all pet-safe plantsWritten and reviewed by Nikki, founder of Root & Reach Botanicals. Last updated September 2026. Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant lists for cats and dogs. This article is general information, not veterinary advice.