Plant BuddhaPets
Pet-friendly houseplants: lovely greenery for homes with cats and dogs
Plants and pets can share a home happily with a little planning. Many popular houseplants, including pothos, philodendron, peace lily and snake plant, are toxic if chewed. The good news is that there are plenty of beautiful alternatives.
Always double-check. The lists below follow the ASPCA's non-toxic plant database, but names get confusing and varieties differ. Look up the exact plant on the ASPCA website, and ask your vet if you're unsure. Even non-toxic plants can cause an upset stomach if a pet eats a lot.
Plants commonly listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Spider plant. Cheerful, easy and great in a hanging basket.
- Boston fern and bird's nest fern. Lush and feathery. They like humidity and steady moisture.
- Calathea and prayer plant (Maranta). Patterned leaves that fold at night. They prefer filtered light and humidity.
- Parlor palm and areca palm. Soft, tropical and pet-friendly. Check you have a true palm, since “sago palm” is highly toxic and not a real palm.
- Ponytail palm. A sculptural, drought-tolerant choice for bright spots.
- Peperomia. Many compact varieties and very forgiving.
- Haworthia. A tidy succulent for sunny windowsills. Don't confuse it with aloe, which is toxic.
- African violet. Small, with flowers that appear in modest light.
Common plants to keep out of reach
Lilies are especially dangerous for cats, even in small amounts. Others to keep away from curious mouths include sago palm, pothos, philodendron, peace lily, dieffenbachia, monstera, snake plant, ZZ plant, aloe and jade. Check labels, since many of these are sold under friendly names.
Keeping everyone safe
- Put toxic plants where pets can't reach, or choose a closed room.
- Watch for fallen leaves, which are easy to chew.
- Keep fertilizer and soil amendments out of reach too.
- If you think a pet has eaten a plant, call your vet or an animal poison control service right away. Bring the plant's name or a photo.