The Complete Guide to Pet-Safe Houseplants
Bringing plants into your home should be a joy — not a source of anxiety. If you share your space with cats or dogs, knowing which plants are safe and which are dangerous is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the best pet-friendly options to the most important plants to avoid.
Why Plant Toxicity Matters for Pets
Cats and dogs are naturally curious animals. Cats often chew on plants out of boredom or to aid digestion. Dogs explore the world with their mouths and may chew on anything within reach, including houseplants. The problem is that many popular houseplants contain compounds — calcium oxalate crystals, alkaloids, saponins, and others — that are toxic when ingested.
Symptoms of plant poisoning in pets range from mild (drooling, vomiting, diarrhea) to life-threatening (kidney failure, cardiac arrhythmia, seizures). Lily species, for example, are extremely dangerous to cats — even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure. Sago palms are similarly deadly to dogs.
The good news: there are hundreds of beautiful, interesting houseplants that pose no toxicity risk to cats or dogs. With a little knowledge, you can fill your home with stunning foliage without putting your pets at risk. Our toxicity data is sourced from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the most authoritative reference for pet plant toxicity.
If your pet ingests any plant and you are unsure of its toxicity, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline immediately.
Popular Pet-Safe Houseplants (Easy Care)
Selected from easy-care, non-toxic plants in our database. These plants are non-toxic to both cats and dogs and are forgiving for new plant owners. Browse all 147 pet-safe plants →
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Fast-growing plant that produces cascading offshoots called spiderettes. Safe for pets and very easy to propagate.
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Virtually indestructible plant that tolerates deep shade, dust, and neglect. Perfect for dark corners.
Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii
Tropical cactus that blooms in winter with tubular flowers in pink, red, or white. Long-lived heirloom plant.
Bromeliad
Guzmania lingulata
Tropical plant with a central cup that holds water. Blooms once with a spectacular colorful bract.
Air Plant
Tillandsia ionantha
Rootless epiphyte that absorbs nutrients through its leaves. Requires soaking or misting instead of traditional watering.
Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia
Compact plant with thick, waxy leaves. Semi-succulent that tolerates some drought and comes in hundreds of varieties.
Haworthia
Haworthiopsis fasciata
Small rosette succulent with white horizontal stripes. One of the best succulents for indoor conditions.
Money Tree
Pachira aquatica
Tropical tree often sold with a braided trunk. Associated with good fortune and financial luck in feng shui.
Polka Dot Plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Fun plant with brightly spotted leaves in pink, red, or white on green. Colors are most vivid in bright light.
Wax Plant
Hoya carnosa
Waxy-leaved vine that blooms with clusters of star-shaped, fragrant flowers. Very long-lived and low-maintenance.
Plants to Avoid if You Have Cats
These popular houseplants are toxic to cats. If you already own them, consider placing them in rooms your cat cannot access, or replacing them with pet-safe alternatives.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Toxic to cats
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Toxic to cats
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Toxic to cats
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic to cats
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Toxic to cats
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Toxic to cats
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Toxic to cats
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Toxic to cats
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Toxic to cats
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
Toxic to cats
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia seguine
Toxic to cats
Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
Toxic to cats
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Toxic to cats
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Toxic to cats
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Toxic to cats
Elephant Ear
Alocasia amazonica
Toxic to cats
String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus
Toxic to cats
Umbrella Plant
Schefflera arboricola
Toxic to cats
Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Toxic to cats
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Toxic to cats
Showing 20 of 160 plants toxic to cats. Search all plants →
Plants to Avoid if You Have Dogs
Dogs are often less selective than cats about what they chew, making toxic plants especially dangerous. These common houseplants are toxic to dogs.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Toxic to dogs
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Toxic to dogs
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Toxic to dogs
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Toxic to dogs
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Toxic to dogs
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Toxic to dogs
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Toxic to dogs
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Toxic to dogs
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Toxic to dogs
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
Toxic to dogs
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia seguine
Toxic to dogs
Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
Toxic to dogs
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Toxic to dogs
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Toxic to dogs
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Toxic to dogs
Elephant Ear
Alocasia amazonica
Toxic to dogs
String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus
Toxic to dogs
Umbrella Plant
Schefflera arboricola
Toxic to dogs
Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Toxic to dogs
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Toxic to dogs
Showing 20 of 159 plants toxic to dogs. Search all plants →
Find More Pet-Safe Plants
Use our toxicity checker to search and filter all 147 pet-safe plants in our database.