21 Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

You love your furry friend, whether that’s a cat, dog or any other kind of pet. And you love plants! Do you have to sacrifice one for the other? Definitely not!

While yes, there are some poisonous plants that are definitely not ok for you to have in your home if you have pets, (like snake plants, aloe vera or pothos plants) there are plenty of options of beautiful indoor houseplants that are pet friendly!

Today let’s talk about some of our favorite pet friendly houseplants for your home!

21 Dog & Cat Friendly Indoor Plants

pet friendly houseplants

This post includes affiliate links. 

1. Peperomia

peperomia

Peperomia plants are in the peppecorn family, Piperaceae. Plants in this family make great houseplants for newbies because they’re easy to grow and clean the air.

They like humid area which make them a great addition to any bathroom. However, they’re very adaptable and can grow in just about any room in your home.

These plants like medium to bright light and don’t like to be overwatered. It’s non-toxic for cats and all pets.

Find more on this Peperomia Plant post or check out the Watermelon Peperomia here!

Purchase a Peperomia on Etsy.

2. Goldfish

Goldfish Plant

Looking for a flowering plant that’s safe for pets? Check out the goldfish! This unique plant is pet friendly and a great option for cat and dog owners!

The Goldfish Plant is a gorgeous blooming plant that gets their names from their beautiful flowers! Their flowers are red-orange in color that appear in spring and summer. Some say they look like leaping goldfish!

Find more on this Goldfish Plant post!

Purchase on Etsy

3. Spider Plant

spider plant

The Spider Plants are a great beginner plant. They’re easy to grow and don’t mind being left alone in dark corners!

Aim to water these plants once a week or whenever they seem dry to the touch. Spider plants will produce babies when their roots get nice and bound so don’t transfer these to a bigger pot too soon or you won’t see babies from it!

Find more tips on my Spider plant care post.

Shop on Etsy

4. Lipstick Plant

lipstick plant

The Lipstick Plant, proper name Aeschynanthus radicans, is an easy to grow plant. Like most plants, there are a ton of different varieties of lipstick plants.

There’s everything from curly q lipstick plants that have leaves that twist and curl, variegated ones, and even a tangerine lipstick plant that gives you orange-yellow flowers!

They get their name from the flower buds that peek out from the darker red tubes. Often times when given enough light, these will bloom throughout the year.

You’ll love watching this plant bloom!

Find more and check out the amazing blooms on this Lipstick Care post.

Find on Etsy.

5. Bird’s Nest Fern

 Bird's Nest Fern

The Birds Nest Fern is an easy to grow and maintain plant that’s great for pet owners. It likes low to bright, indirect light and should be kept away from too much bright sun (north or east facing windows are best).

Be sure to water this one weekly though! It doesn’t like to dry out. If the leaves look a little droopy, it likely just needs some water! Check the soil – if it’s dry, give it some water and it’ll perk up in no time.

This houseplant doesn’t grow super fast so you don’t have to worry about it getting overcrowded quickly.

Find on Etsy.

6. Pilea

pilea

The Chinese Money Plant is growing in popularity because of it’s fun round leaves and the fact that it sprouts so many babies, making it a great gift!

These houseplants are relatively small, most not growing larger than 18 inches. Pileas don’t like to be overwatered and can get root rot fairly easily. It’s better to underwater than overwater!

Try out a pilea for a safe cat friendly houseplant!

Find more on this Pilea Plant care post.

Find on Etsy.

7. Staghorn Fern

staghorn fern

Another member of the fern family (like the Bird’s Nest), the Staghorn Fern loves humidity! This plant does best in bright to moderate indirect light, so keep it near a window but out of direct sun.

The trickiest part of Staghorn Ferns is ensuring they’re getting watered enough without overwatering them. Usually water them every 7-10 days, and less often in the winter.

Head here for all the care tips you need for your Staghorn Fern.

Shop on Etsy

8. Burro’s Tail (Sedum Morganianum)

burro tail

The Burro’s tail is one succulent that is fairly easy to grow and care for! (I personally find succulents to be not the easiest plant!) They’re the type of plant that does well with a bit of neglect so for those of you who often forget to water your houseplants, this one’s for you!

Burro’s tail need plenty of sunshine, good drainage and just a bit of water. Let it dry out in between waterings so it doesn’t get a case of root rot.

These are really fun indoor houseplants safe for cats and dogs to add to your home!

Find everything to know about burro’s tail here.

Purchase on Etsy

9. Prayer Plant

prayer plant

The Maranta gets its name because of how it folds its leaves in during the evening. These houseplant comes in a variety of shapes and colors and is one of the most highly-decorated foliage found in nature!

Maranta houseplants like filtered or dechlorinated water the best. The easiest way to do this is to fill your watering can overnight and water it the next day. This is one of my favorite houseplants!

Find more care tips for the Maranta Leuconeural here!

Find on Etsy

10. African Violet

African Violet

African violet plants are beautiful indoor houseplants that will brighten up any space! It’s a bit temperamental especially about water and don’t like to dry out or stay too wet.

African violets like water that is lukewarm (let it sit out for 48 hours) and be sure to not get any water on the leaves or flowers! These are best watered from the bottom.

They like medium to bright light that’s filtered. Be sure to turn the pot frequently to prevent it from reaching (like most houseplants!).

Check out the best African Violet pots here!

Shop on Etsy

11. Air Plant

air plant

Air Plants are really unique, fun houseplants that will liven up any space! Because they don’t need soil, housing them is a bit different than a regular plant.

Air plants don’t like direct sunlight so keep them in a sheltered (but bright!) spot. To water them, simply pace them in a sink submerged for about 30 minutes.

Let them dry upside down before returning them to their home. You can also mist these pet friendly, non-toxic plants in between waterings during drier months.

Find even more Air Plant care tips here.

Shop on Etsy

12. Money Tree

money tree

photo via the Sill

Money trees are fun non-toxic, pet safe houseplants that gives your home a tropical feel! It needs medium to bright indirect sunlight (but can adjust to low light) and likes to be turned with every watering to ensure it all gets proper light.

It likes to be watered a lot at once, letting the water run through the bottom of the pot but make sure it doesn’t stand in water! Water every time the top few inches dry out.

Money trees like to stay in the same spot and as every plant on this list, are safe for cats, dogs and all pets!

Shop on Etsy

13. Ponytail Tree

Ponytail Palm

The Ponytail Palm tree is a personal favorite and not just because it’s pet safe! It’s a very forgiving plant that can survive in both low and bright light! It’s ideal light is bright light but don’t worry if it doesn’t get that!

This houseplant is similar to the Burro’s Tail. They’re both succulents, they both prefer to be more dry and yes, they’re non-toxic plants that are safe for cats and dogs!

(Pro tip – get both of these cat friendly plants and keep them near one another so you can mimic your care plans!)

Shop on Etsy

14. White Orchid

white orchid

photo via the Sill

Are you looking for pet friendly house plants that blooms? The White Orchid is a great option for new orchid plant parents! (Side note: my father in law’s house is full of orchids – it’s so inspiring!)

White orchids need a good amount of water but allow them to dry out in between waterings. They like a lot of bright indirect sunlight but can survive with just a medium amount of light.

They typically bloom about once a year for a few months!

Find orchid tips here and the best pots for orchids!

Shop on Etsy

15. Hoya Heart Plant

hoya heart

If you need a small plant, this next popular houseplant is for you! The Hoya Heart Plant gets its name by….it’s heart shaped leaves! Shocking, I know! 😉 It’s perfect as gifts for your significant other or best friend to remind them of your love for them.

It does best in bright light – ideally direct but can tolerate low indirect sunlight. It’s great for people with pets who often forget to water their houseplants. This one only needs to be watered every 3-4 weeks. Make sure it dries out fully before you water it again!

This fun houseplant that’s safe for cats and dogs is all over Instagram so join in on the fun, without having to worry about your furry friend because of course it’s a pet friendly plant!

Shop on Etsy

16. Purple Waffle Plant

purple waffle plant

If you’re looking for a unique looking houseplant that’s safe for cats, check out the Purple Waffle! The Hemigraphis alternata, otherwise known as the Purple Waffle, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the jungles of southeast Asia. It can be grown outdoors in your garden or inside your home.

This non-toxic plant is amazing at cleaning the air and is also low maintenance – win win! They like bright, indirect sunlight to keep their purple colors nice and vivid.

Find full Purple Waffle tips here.

17. Chinese Fan Palm

chinese palm
The Chinese Fan Palm, also known as the Fountain Palm, is a stunning pet safe plant that can be both as an outdoor plant and a houseplant! It’s a very hardy plant that’s drought resistant making it a great option for beginners or those who tend to be a bit more forgetful!

These pet safe houseplants like a good amount of light in order to grow well. Daily misting is also a good idea for these houseplants as they like a high amount of humidity!

Find all the Chinese Palm tips here!

18. Boston Fern

The Boston Fern is a beautiful billowy plant that has clusters of ferns that a wave in the air. These plants do best with indirect light and high humidity.

Try a bathroom if your home isn’t that humid or you can always get a humidifier too!

19. Parlor Palm

parlor palm plant
Image via the Sill

These tall plants make a great indoor plant in a corner tucked right outside of the sun’s rays! They’re more of a slow growing plant so keep that in mind when buying one.

They can grow up to 6ft tall with proper care. Repot them gradually, about every 2-3 years. Don’t repot them too much since they have a bit of a sensitive root system.

Be sure to not overwater this plant as this can be deadly.

20. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Splash Plant Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya

There are several different colors of Polka Dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) out there, the most common being a pink base with green spots. Personally, I own the dark green leaves with white spots version!

These are a bit more difficult to grow (at least I think so!) and need a good amount of bright, indirect light to thrive. These plants prefer moist soil but not soggy. Give them a solid watering when the top half inch of soil has dried out.

21. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifola)

Calathea Orbafolia

The Rattlesnake Plant (or Calathea lancifola) is a unique looking plant with ruffled like leaves that have distinct markings on them.

These pet-friendly plants love indirect light and warm homes. Be sure to take a peek on the underside of their leaves!

And there you have it, pet parents! 21 non-toxic pet safe indoor plants for pretty much every type of home – low light, bright light, forgetful plant parents and masters of the houseplants.

I hope you learned a thing or two and found a non-toxic plant (or 3!) to bring home for you and your furry friends can enjoy together.

Be sure to head here for 15 low light pet friendly house plants if you need an option for a spot that doesn’t get much sun.

Next check out some fun propagation stations for your plant clippings!

Author

    by
  • Jen

    Jen got her first plant in college from her mom and the rest, as they say, is history! She's owned hundreds of plants over the years and loves learning how to grow each one. She believes everyone needs to own at least one plant in their home and loves sharing her knowledge with others.

2 thoughts on “21 Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs”

  1. Hi! The pinterest preview image for this page brought me to this site. I was plant #7 in the preview image and was so excited to learn what it was, it’s exactly what I’m looking for! But the page here has a different plant for #7. Can you please tell me what plant #7 in the preview image is? I’ve been looking for a cat-safe plant like that for months! Thanks so much!

    Reply

Leave a Comment