Pet Safe Indoor Plants: A Practical Guide for Homes With Cats and Dogs
Houseplants make a home feel lived-in. They soften hard edges, add color, and can even help you pay more attention to light and humidity indoors. But if you share your space with a cat that chews leaves or a dog that samples anything new, plant shopping gets tricky fast.
This guide walks you through pet safe indoor plants that work in real homes. You’ll get a solid list of safer options, tips for placement and care, and a simple plan for what to do if your pet does take a bite.
What “pet safe” really means (and what it doesn’t)
When people say “pet safe indoor plants,” they usually mean plants that are not known to cause poisoning in cats or dogs. That’s a good start, but it’s not a free pass.
- Even non-toxic plants can upset a stomach if a pet eats a lot of them.
- Pets can choke on tough leaves or dig up soil and swallow bits of perlite or bark.
- Fertilizers, pesticides, and leaf shine sprays can cause problems even when the plant itself is safe.
For the most reliable toxicity info, cross-check plants in the ASPCA’s plant lists. If you ever face a possible ingestion, the AVMA’s poisoning guidance is a clear, practical overview of what to watch for and what to do next.
Quick rules for choosing pet safe indoor plants
1) Know your pet’s habits
Some pets ignore plants. Others treat them like salad. If your cat chews, skip anything with narrow, grassy blades that mimic “cat grass,” unless you’re giving them a safe chew plant on purpose.
2) Buy the plant, not the label
Garden centers don’t always label plants correctly. Bring the botanical name with you and verify it before you buy. “Palm” alone isn’t enough, since some “palms” are not true palms and can be toxic.
3) Keep soil and add-ons in mind
Soil mix, moss toppers, and slow-release fertilizer pellets can be as tempting as leaves. If your dog likes to dig, plan for heavier pots, top-dressing with large stones, and a barrier like a plant stand.
12 pet safe indoor plants that look good and hold up indoors
The plants below are widely considered safer choices for cats and dogs when used as houseplants. Still, verify your exact species and keep an eye on any nibbling.
1) Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are classic, tough, and easy to share from “babies.” Bright indirect light keeps them full, but they can handle medium light too. If your cat loves to chew, this plant can be extra tempting, so hang it up or place it on a high shelf.
2) Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca palm gives you the “tree indoors” feel without much fuss. It likes bright, indirect light and regular watering once the top inch of soil dries. It’s also a popular pick for people thinking about air and comfort indoors. For broader indoor air guidance (including ventilation and humidity), see the EPA’s indoor air quality basics.
3) Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
If your place doesn’t get much sun, parlor palm is a safe bet. It tolerates low to medium light, grows slowly, and looks tidy. Don’t overwater it. Soggy soil is the fastest way to ruin it.
4) Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns look lush, but they do better when humidity isn’t bone-dry. If your home runs dry in winter, you’ll need to mist, group plants, or use a humidifier. Place it where it gets bright light without direct sun.
5) Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
Want a fern that feels more modern and less fluffy? Bird’s nest fern has broad, wavy fronds and a tidy center “nest.” Water the soil, not the center crown, and keep it out of harsh sun.
6) Calathea (Calathea species)
Calatheas bring bold patterns without known toxicity red flags for most homes with pets. They do ask for more care: steady warmth, medium light, and water that isn’t heavy with minerals. If your tap water leaves white crust on pots, try filtered water.
7) Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Prayer plants have striking leaf veins and a trailing habit that works in hanging baskets. They like even moisture, not wet feet. If you want a pet safe indoor plant with “wow” leaves, this is a strong pick.
8) Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Polka dot plant adds bright spots of pink, red, or white. It’s small, which makes it easy to keep out of reach. Pinch it back to stop it from getting leggy. It also works well as a “desk plant” in medium light.
9) African violet (Saintpaulia)
For flowers indoors, African violets are hard to beat. They like bright light and careful watering from the bottom or at the soil line to keep leaves from spotting. They stay compact, so they suit shelves and side tables.
10) Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Moth orchids look fancy but don’t need daily attention. Water when roots look silvery and the pot feels light. Give bright, indirect light and skip ice cubes. If you want a solid, beginner-friendly care guide, the American Orchid Society’s orchid care resources are straightforward.
11) Peperomia (Peperomia species)
Peperomias come in many shapes: rippled, striped, round, trailing. Most stay small and handle missed waterings better than many tropical plants. Let the top half of the pot dry before watering again.
12) Haworthia (Haworthia species)
If you like succulents but worry about pet safety, haworthia is often a better choice than many common succulents. It stays compact, likes bright light, and needs sparse watering. Put it in a gritty mix and don’t let it sit in water.
Common indoor plants to avoid if you have pets
Some popular houseplants cause real problems for cats and dogs. If your pet chews, it’s usually easiest to keep these out of the house.
- Lilies (high risk for cats)
- Sago palm
- Peace lily (not a true lily, but still irritating and unsafe if chewed)
- Pothos
- Philodendron
- Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
- ZZ plant
If you want to look up a plant fast, the Pet Poison Helpline’s plant library is a useful tool for checking symptoms and risk level. It’s also a good reminder that “mild” can still mean vomiting, drooling, and a miserable night for everyone.
How to set up plants so pets leave them alone
Use height and barriers first
Training helps, but layout does more. Use hanging planters, wall shelves, and tall plant stands. If you have a cat that jumps everywhere, choose closed rooms or tall, narrow shelves that don’t offer a landing spot.
- Hang trailing plants like prayer plant or spider plant away from jump routes.
- Use heavy pots for floor plants so dogs can’t tip them.
- Top-dress soil with large smooth stones to block digging.
Offer a safe “yes” plant
If your cat chews leaves, give them something safe on purpose. Many people use cat grass (often wheat, oat, or barley) as a decoy. Keep it separate from your decorative plants so your cat learns the difference.
Skip risky products
Even with pet safe indoor plants, your care products matter.
- Avoid systemic insecticide granules in soil where pets can dig.
- Don’t use leaf shine sprays.
- Store fertilizers where pets can’t reach them.
Care tips that keep plants healthy and pets safer
Choose the right light so the plant doesn’t drop leaves
Stressed plants shed leaves. Loose leaves end up on the floor, and pets find them. Match the plant to your window. If you’re unsure, start with medium-light tolerant plants like parlor palm, peperomia, or calathea.
Water with a schedule, then adjust
Most plant deaths come from overwatering. A simple routine helps:
- Check soil with your finger before you water.
- Water fully until it drains, then empty the saucer.
- Wait until the plant needs it again.
Keep fallen petals and leaves picked up
This sounds obvious, but it matters. Cats bat leaves under furniture. Dogs swallow them before you notice. A quick sweep every few days prevents a lot of trouble.
What to do if your pet eats a houseplant
Stay calm and act fast. Don’t guess. Don’t wait for symptoms to “see what happens.”
- Remove plant pieces from your pet’s mouth if you can do it safely.
- Identify the plant (take a clear photo of the whole plant and a close-up of leaves).
- Call your vet, an emergency vet, or a pet poison hotline with the plant name and the amount eaten.
- Watch for signs like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pawing at the mouth, trouble breathing, or lethargy.
If you need help identifying a plant, the practical community at r/houseplants can sometimes help quickly, but treat it as a support tool, not medical advice. Your vet should guide the next steps.
How to shop for pet safe indoor plants without wasting money
Start with two to three easy plants
If you’re new to plants, don’t buy ten at once. Pick a small set you can keep alive, then expand. Good starter combinations:
- Parlor palm + peperomia + African violet
- Spider plant (hung high) + prayer plant + haworthia
- Areca palm + bird’s nest fern + orchid
Inspect for pests before plants enter your home
Check leaf undersides for specks, webbing, or sticky residue. Quarantine new plants for a week if you can. It keeps problems contained and reduces your need for pest sprays.
Ask for the botanical name
Common names cause mix-ups. A “rubber plant” might mean a toxic ficus in one store and a safe peperomia in another. The Latin name saves you from that.
A simple plant list you can keep on your phone
If you want a quick shortlist of pet safe indoor plants to start with, save this:
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
- Calathea (Calathea species)
- Peperomia (Peperomia species)
- Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
- African violet (Saintpaulia)
- Phalaenopsis orchid (Phalaenopsis)
- Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
- Haworthia (Haworthia species)
Conclusion
You don’t have to choose between a home with plants and a home with pets. You just need the right picks and a setup that matches how your cat or dog behaves. Start with a few proven pet safe indoor plants, place them with care, and keep a reliable toxicity list bookmarked. Your plants will look better, and you’ll worry less when your pet gets curious.
