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Pet-safe houseplants: 42 plants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs
Published 2026-11-09
Spider plant, parlor palm, Boston fern, calathea, peperomia, hoya, and Christmas cactus are all safe for cats and dogs. So are most palms, most ferns, and African violets.
Every plant on this page is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Each one links to a full care guide.
What non-toxic means
Non-toxic means the plant has no known poison that harms cats or dogs. It does not mean the plant is food. A pet that eats a lot of any plant can vomit or get an upset stomach.
Fertilizer, leaf shine, and bug sprays on the plant are a separate risk. Rinse a new plant’s leaves and keep pets away after you treat for pests.
Easy pet-safe plants
These forgive missed waterings and average room air.
| Plant | Light | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Spider plant | Bright indirect | Cats love to chew it. Hang it up to keep it tidy. |
| Parlor palm | Low | A small palm for a dim corner |
| Cast iron plant | Low | Slow, tough, and happy in shade |
| Peperomia | Medium | Compact. Dozens of leaf shapes. |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect | Makes babies you can share |
| Hoya | Bright indirect | A vine with thick, waxy leaves |
| Money tree | Bright indirect | A small tree with a braided trunk |
| Swedish ivy | Bright indirect | A fast trailing plant for a hanging pot |
| Purple passion | Bright indirect | Fuzzy purple leaves |
| Christmas cactus | Bright indirect | Blooms every winter for decades |
Pet-safe palms
True palms are a safe bet for homes with pets.
| Plant | Light | Height indoors |
|---|---|---|
| Kentia palm | Medium | 2 to 3 m (6 to 10 ft) |
| Lady palm | Medium | 1 to 2 m (3 to 6 ft) |
| Areca palm | Bright indirect | 1.5 to 2.5 m (5 to 8 ft) |
| Majesty palm | Bright indirect | 1.5 to 3 m (5 to 10 ft) |
| Pygmy date palm | Bright indirect | 1 to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft) |
| Ponytail palm | Bright direct | 60 cm to 1.5 m (2 to 5 ft) |
The sago palm is not a palm. It is a cycad, and it is one of the most dangerous houseplants for pets. Do not bring one home.
Pet-safe ferns
The asparagus fern is not a true fern, and it is toxic to cats and dogs.
Pet-safe plants with patterned leaves
These are grown for their stripes, spots, and veins.
Pet-safe flowering plants
- African violet
- Moth orchid
- Bromeliad
- Lipstick plant
- Goldfish plant
- Flame violet
- Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus
Pet-safe succulents and trailing plants
- Zebra haworthia
- Echeveria
- Burro’s tail
- String of hearts
- String of turtles
- Mistletoe cactus
- Air plant
Zebra haworthia looks like a small aloe. It is the safe swap for aloe vera, which is toxic to pets.
Popular plants that are not pet safe
These are in most plant shops, and all are toxic to cats and dogs.
| Plant | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sago palm | Liver failure. Every part is poisonous, and the seeds are the worst. |
| Pothos, philodendron, and monstera | Mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting |
| Peace lily and dieffenbachia | Mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting |
| Snake plant and ZZ plant | Vomiting and an upset stomach |
| Aloe vera and jade plant | Vomiting and low energy |
| Dracaena and lucky bamboo | Vomiting and drooling |
| English ivy | Vomiting and belly pain |
| Fiddle leaf fig and rubber plant | Mouth and stomach upset from the sap |
True lilies, such as Easter lilies and stargazer lilies, are deadly to cats. Read more in safe indoor plants for cats.
You can still own a toxic plant
Many homes have pets and a pothos. A few habits lower the risk.
- Hang toxic plants or put them on a high shelf a pet cannot reach.
- Keep them in a room with a closed door.
- Pick up fallen leaves.
- Watch a new pet around plants for the first few weeks. Some pets never chew plants. Some chew every one.
If your pet eats a plant
Take the plant away and check the name on the tag. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Bring a piece of the plant or a photo with you if you go in.
Do not wait for symptoms if the plant is a sago palm or a lily.
Quick answers
What is the best pet-safe plant for beginners? Spider plant. It grows in most rooms and bounces back after a chewing.
Are succulents safe for pets? Some are. Haworthia, echeveria, and burro’s tail are safe. Aloe, jade, and kalanchoe are not.
Are ferns safe for cats? True ferns, such as Boston fern, are safe. Asparagus fern is not a true fern and is toxic.
Is there a pet-safe plant for low light? Yes. Parlor palm and cast iron plant both grow in low light.
Use the plant finder to filter every guide on this site by pet safety, light, and difficulty.