If you share your home with a curious cat or a chew-happy dog, choosing the wrong houseplant can turn a quiet afternoon into an emergency vet visit. The good news: plenty of beautiful, easy-to-grow plants are completely safe to live with — you do not have to choose between greenery and pet safety. This guide rounds up 18 widely-available houseplants that the ASPCA and most veterinary sources list as non-toxic to cats and dogs, with quick care notes so you know exactly what each one needs to thrive.
How we chose these plants
Every plant on this list is classified as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List — the most widely cited reference in veterinary practice. We also weighed how easy each plant is to find at a typical nursery, how forgiving it is for beginners, and how well it adapts to ordinary home conditions.
One important caveat. "Non-toxic" does not mean a plant is meant to be eaten. Even safe plants can cause mild stomach upset, choking on fibrous leaves, or an unpleasant gut blockage if a pet binges. Place plants out of reach where you can, and discourage chewing.
7 nearly-indestructible pet-safe plants
If you are new to plant care — or just want low effort — start here. These are tough enough to survive forgotten waterings and dim corners.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The classic. Arching striped leaves, baby "spiderettes" that dangle off the mother plant for easy propagation, and tolerance for almost any indoor light. Cats sometimes enjoy nibbling the leaves — that is fine in small amounts, though over-chewing can cause mild stomach upset.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light is best, but tolerates lower; water when the top inch of soil is dry.
2. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
One of the few true palms that actually thrives indoors, the parlour palm brings a tropical, room-filling silhouette without the toxicity of its lookalike, the sago palm (which is dangerous to pets). Slow-growing and shade-tolerant.
Care quick-sheet: medium to low light; water when the top 5 cm of soil dries; keep away from cold drafts.
3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
A lush, feathery classic that loves the bathroom or kitchen, where humidity is naturally higher. Dropped fronds can be tempting cat toys — sweep them up so they do not get eaten in volume.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; keep soil consistently moist; loves high humidity.
4. Calathea / Goeppertia (Prayer Plants)
Calatheas — including the popular Rattlesnake, Orbifolia and Medallion — fold their leaves up at night, hence the "prayer plant" nickname. All Calathea and Maranta species on the ASPCA list are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and they look spectacular.
Care quick-sheet: medium indirect light; consistently moist (not soggy) soil; high humidity is non-negotiable.
5. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Want a 2-metre indoor tree without the risk? Areca palms are big, soft, feathery and entirely safe. They are heavier drinkers than the parlour palm, so plan to water roughly weekly in the growing season.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; water when the top 2.5 cm of soil dries; mist occasionally if your air is dry.
6. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Small, textured, deep-green leaves with a touch of bronze — a great compact desk plant. Easy to propagate from cuttings and (true to its name) easy to share.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; let the top inch of soil dry; pinch back regularly for a bushier shape.
7. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The name says it all. The cast iron plant survives low light, neglect, drafts, and the kind of homes where everything else dies. Slow-growing, but virtually unkillable and completely pet-safe.
Care quick-sheet: low to medium light; water sparingly — let the top 5 cm of soil dry between waterings.
6 statement plants that look amazing
Looking for something with more drama — a floor plant, a sculptural shape, an Instagrammable shelf piece? These are the showstoppers that also happen to be safe.
8. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Despite the name, this is not a true palm — it is a slow-growing succulent with a thick water-storing trunk and a fountain of long, narrow leaves. Drought-tolerant and architectural.
Care quick-sheet: bright light, even direct sun; water only when the soil is fully dry.
9. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
One of the few flowering houseplants that blooms reliably indoors and is non-toxic to pets. Modern hybrids come in dozens of colours including pink, white, purple and bi-colours.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; water from the bottom to avoid wet leaves; use a dedicated African violet potting mix.
10. Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
Round, silver-striped leaves that genuinely resemble watermelon rind. Compact, slow-growing and tough. Most other peperomias on the ASPCA list are also pet-safe — a great genus for collectors.
Care quick-sheet: medium to bright indirect light; let the top inch dry; do not overwater.
11. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Bright pink, red or white speckles on green leaves make this one of the most cheerful houseplants you can buy. Small enough for shelves and tabletops, and entirely safe.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; keep soil lightly moist; pinch to keep compact.
12. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
A festive flowering cactus that can live for decades and blooms in late autumn or winter. Unlike many true cacti, it has no toxicity issues for pets.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; water when the top 2.5 cm of soil dries; cooler temperatures encourage flowering.
13. Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Glossy, ripple-edged fronds that grow from a central rosette — much easier and tidier than a Boston fern, and equally safe. Looks fantastic on a bathroom shelf.
Care quick-sheet: medium indirect light; keep soil evenly moist; loves humidity.
5 trailing & hanging picks (keep these high)
Hanging plants are a smart choice in pet homes — out of reach by default. These trailing varieties are also non-toxic, so a stray vine is not a crisis.
14. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Delicate heart-shaped silver-marbled leaves on thin, fast-growing vines. A succulent at heart, so it tolerates neglect surprisingly well.
Care quick-sheet: bright light, some direct sun; water sparingly — let it dry fully between waterings.
15. Hoya (Hoya carnosa and similar species)
Most common hoyas — including H. carnosa, H. kerrii ("heart leaf") and H. obovata — are listed as non-toxic. Glossy, waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped, fragrant flowers on mature plants.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; water when soil is dry; do not move once it starts flowering.
16. Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Plump, blue-green trailing succulent leaves that look incredible in a hanging basket. Brittle, so place where it will not get knocked, and out of reach of cats that bat at dangling things.
Care quick-sheet: bright direct light; water deeply, then let dry completely.
17. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Glossy trailing vines that produce vivid red tubular flowers — like little tubes of lipstick — under good light. Pet-safe and a real showpiece in bloom.
Care quick-sheet: bright indirect light; keep soil evenly moist in the growing season; reduce water in winter.
18. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
A dense, cushiony mat of tiny round leaves that spills beautifully over the edge of a pot or terrarium. Loves the same humidity as ferns.
Care quick-sheet: medium to bright indirect light; keep soil constantly moist; very high humidity.
Popular plants to avoid in a pet home
Many of the most-photographed houseplants are quietly dangerous to cats and dogs. If you already own these, place them well out of reach, behind closed doors, or in hanging planters — but do not assume "they have never bothered it" means they never will.
| Plant | Risk level | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lilies (true Lilium and Hemerocallis) | Severe — cats | Even pollen or vase water can cause fatal kidney failure in cats. Treat as a true emergency. |
| Sago palm | Severe | All parts highly toxic; can cause liver failure in cats and dogs. |
| Pothos & Philodendron | Moderate | Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — oral pain, drooling, vomiting. |
| Monstera deliciosa | Moderate | Same oxalate crystals as pothos. |
| Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) | Mild–moderate | Saponins cause nausea and vomiting. |
| Aloe vera | Mild–moderate | Latex causes vomiting and diarrhoea if ingested. |
| ZZ plant | Mild | Calcium oxalate crystals — oral irritation if chewed. |
| Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Mild–moderate | Not a true lily, but oxalates still cause oral pain and drooling. |
| Dieffenbachia ("dumb cane") | Moderate | Severe oral pain and swelling — well-named for the silencing effect. |
| Fiddle leaf fig | Moderate | Sap can cause oral irritation and stomach upset. |
What to do if your pet eats a houseplant
- Stay calm and identify the plant. A photo of the leaves and flowers is enormously helpful at the vet. Note how much was eaten and when.
- Remove plant material from the mouth. Gently wipe with a damp cloth if it is safe to do so.
- Call a professional immediately. Contact your veterinarian, or in the US the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on +1-888-426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). In the UK, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000.
- Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly told to by a professional — for some toxins it makes things worse.
- Bring a sample. A leaf or photo travels with you to the clinic so the vet can confirm the species.
Symptoms to watch for: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite, twitching, difficulty breathing, or swelling around the face. Any of these after suspected plant contact warrants an urgent call.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest houseplant for cats?
Spider plant, parlour palm and any Calathea variety are at the top of most veterinarians' lists. All three are non-toxic per the ASPCA, easy to find, and forgiving for beginners.
Are pothos and monstera toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes — both contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral pain, drooling and vomiting if chewed. They are rarely fatal, but they are not pet-safe.
Is the snake plant safe for cats?
No. Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Effects are rarely severe but it should be kept out of reach.
Are succulents safe for pets?
Some are, many are not. Burro's tail, Christmas cactus, hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum) and most haworthias are safe. Aloe vera, jade plant, kalanchoe and euphorbias are toxic. Always check the species before buying.
How do I stop my cat from eating my plants?
Offer an alternative: a pot of cat grass (oat, wheat or barley grass) gives a curious cat something safe and satisfying to chew. Place valuable plants on high shelves, in hanging planters, or behind closed doors. Citrus peel or a light spray of bitter apple on leaves can also deter chewing without harming the plant.
Keep reading: ready to bring one home? See our list of the best beginner houseplants, or learn how to water houseplants the right way so your new pet-safe pick actually thrives.