Pet-Safe Houseplants: Non-Toxic Options for Cats and Dogs

Many of the most popular houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs, including pothos, monstera, philodendrons, peace lily, and most aroids. For households with curious pets that chew plants, choosing species confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA removes the primary safety risk without requiring complete separation of pets and plants.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center maintains a searchable database of plants and their toxicity status for cats and dogs. This guide lists the most useful and widely available non-toxic species, organized by growth habit.

A Note on “Non-Toxic”

Non-toxic means that ingestion of the plant does not cause toxic effects in cats or dogs. It does not mean that eating large quantities of any plant material has no consequences: fibrous plant matter in significant quantities can cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in pets simply from the physical effects of digestion. Non-toxic species are safe in the sense that they do not contain compounds that are specifically harmful, but preventing pets from eating houseplants in large quantities remains sensible practice.

Non-Toxic Trailing and Foliage Plants

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is ASPCA non-toxic for cats and dogs and is one of the most widely recommended houseplants for pet households. Cats are sometimes attracted to spider plants, possibly for their mild hallucinogenic effect similar to catnip, which causes brief unusual behavior but no toxicity. Full care is in the spider plant care guide.

Calatheas and marantas are non-toxic to cats and dogs and are well suited to indoor environments as striking foliage plants. Their care is more demanding than spider plant, requiring filtered water and higher humidity, but they are a safe option for pet households that want more dramatic foliage. Full care is in the calatheas and marantas hub.

Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is non-toxic to cats and dogs and produces a tidy, compact, rosette-shaped plant that is less tempting to pets than trailing species. Full care is in the Chinese money plant care guide.

Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) and most other peperomia species are non-toxic to cats and dogs. They are compact, drought-tolerant, and suited to shelf display where they are less accessible to pets. Full care is in the watermelon peperomia care guide.

Tradescantia zebrina (wandering dude) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is a fast-growing trailing plant with purple and silver striped leaves that grows vigorously in bright indirect light. It is included in the purple houseplants guide.

Non-Toxic Statement Plants

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is non-toxic to cats and dogs and is one of the few true palms suited to lower indoor light. It grows slowly but produces a classic indoor palm form and tolerates the dry air of heated homes reasonably well.

Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is larger-growing and more demanding of light than parlor palm, but provides a statement tropical presence. The individual toxicity assessment and care basics are in the are majesty palms toxic to cats guide.

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It requires consistent humidity and moisture and is more demanding in care than most foliage plants, but is a safe option for pet households that can provide the right conditions.

African violet (Saintpaulia) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is compact, produces flowers for much of the year in adequate light, and is unlikely to be of interest to most cats. It needs careful watering (from below, not overhead) and bright indirect light.

Commonly Toxic Plants to Avoid

For context, the following widely sold houseplants are toxic to cats and/or dogs: pothos (Epipremnum aureum), monstera (all species), philodendrons (all species), peace lily (Spathiphyllum), snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), dracaena (most species), rubber plant and fiddle leaf fig (Ficus species), dieffenbachia, and sago palm (Cycas revoluta, which is severely toxic).

For keeping cats away from plants that are not safe in a mixed household, the how to keep cats out of plants guide covers the practical deterrent methods.