Collection
Pet-Safe Houseplants
Non-toxic plants for homes with cats, dogs and kids, per ASPCA.
Houseplants that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to both cats and dogs include spider plant, calathea, prayer plant, peperomia, parlor, areca and kentia palms, Boston fern, African violet, hoya, Christmas cactus, haworthia, money tree and bromeliads. Non-toxic means no poisoning is expected, not that eating the plant is fine: vomiting can still happen, and fertilizers or pesticides on the plant can be harmful. If a pet chews a plant you're unsure about, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What these plants have in common
- Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs on the ASPCA plant lists
- Commonly sold as a houseplant in the US
- Manageable care for an ordinary home
Areca palm
Dypsis lutescens (syn. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)- Bright indirect: 2–5 ft from an east or west window, 4–8 ft back from a south window; brief morning sun is fine
- When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'- Medium-bright indirect; east window or filtered south/west light
- Keep evenly moist; water when the surface just begins to dry
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Bromeliad
Bromeliaceae (Guzmania, Vriesea, Neoregelia, Aechmea, Ananas)- Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine
- Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks)
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia)
Calathea
Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)- Bright indirect light; 3–6 ft from a south/west window or at a north/east window; no direct sun
- Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1/2–1 inch is dry (about every 5–7 days in summer, 7–12 in winter); filtered or rain water
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Calathea spp.)
Chinese money plant
Pilea peperomioides- Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window
- When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer
- Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA)
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera × buckleyi- Bright indirect light; morning sun OK; no hot afternoon sun
- When the top 1 in. is dry; evenly moist during bud and bloom; drier for 4–6 weeks after flowering
- ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses
Echeveria
Echeveria spp.- 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter
- Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans)
Goldfish plant
Nematanthus gregarius (syn. N. radicans, Hypocyrta); also Columnea species- Bright filtered light; east window or curtained south or west window; no harsh afternoon sun
- Lightly moist, never soggy: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry, about every 4-7 days in summer, less in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Hypocyrta / goldfish plant)
Hoya
Hoya carnosa and other Hoya species- Bright indirect; near an east, west or shaded south window; some gentle direct sun OK
- Soak, then let the mix dry almost completely: about every 7-14 days in summer, every 2-4 weeks in winter
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, wax plant)
Majesty palm
Ravenea rivularis- Bright light: at a south or west window behind a sheer, or right at an east window; 2–4 hours of soft sun helps
- Keep evenly moist: water when the top half-inch dries, about every 3–6 days in summer, 7–10 in winter
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Norfolk Island pine
Araucaria heterophylla- Bright light near an east, west or south window; some direct sun is fine; rotate weekly
- Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry; never let the root ball dry out completely
- ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans- Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun
- When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia (and other Peperomia species)- Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window
- When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant)
Polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya- Bright filtered light; some morning sun; leaves lose color in low light
- Evenly moist: water when the top 1/2 inch is dry; never let it wilt repeatedly
- Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA); may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea
Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura- Medium to bright indirect; north or east window, or 5–8 ft from a south window; no direct sun
- Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1 in. is dry, about every 3–4 days in summer, every 7–10 days in winter
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum- Bright indirect; tolerates medium light
- When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Comparison: which one fits your conditions
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Areca palm | Bright indirect: 2–5 ft from an east or west window, 4–8 ft back from a south window; brief morning sun is fine | When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter; soft water | Moderate | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Boston fern | Medium-bright indirect; east window or filtered south/west light | Keep evenly moist; water when the surface just begins to dry | Moderate | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) |
| Bromeliad | Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine | Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks) | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia) |
| Calathea | Bright indirect light; 3–6 ft from a south/west window or at a north/east window; no direct sun | Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1/2–1 inch is dry (about every 5–7 days in summer, 7–12 in winter); filtered or rain water | Moderate | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Calathea spp.) |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window | When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer | Easy | Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA) |
| Christmas cactus | Bright indirect light; morning sun OK; no hot afternoon sun | When the top 1 in. is dry; evenly moist during bud and bloom; drier for 4–6 weeks after flowering | Easy | ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses |
| Echeveria | 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter | Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim | Easy | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans) |
| Goldfish plant | Bright filtered light; east window or curtained south or west window; no harsh afternoon sun | Lightly moist, never soggy: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry, about every 4-7 days in summer, less in winter; soft water | Moderate | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Hypocyrta / goldfish plant) |
| Hoya | Bright indirect; near an east, west or shaded south window; some gentle direct sun OK | Soak, then let the mix dry almost completely: about every 7-14 days in summer, every 2-4 weeks in winter | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, wax plant) |
| Majesty palm | Bright light: at a south or west window behind a sheer, or right at an east window; 2–4 hours of soft sun helps | Keep evenly moist: water when the top half-inch dries, about every 3–6 days in summer, 7–10 in winter | Demanding | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Norfolk Island pine | Bright light near an east, west or south window; some direct sun is fine; rotate weekly | Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry; never let the root ball dry out completely | Moderate | ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses |
| Parlor palm | Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun | When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Peperomia | Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window | When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant) |
| Polka dot plant | Bright filtered light; some morning sun; leaves lose color in low light | Evenly moist: water when the top 1/2 inch is dry; never let it wilt repeatedly | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA); may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea |
| Prayer plant | Medium to bright indirect; north or east window, or 5–8 ft from a south window; no direct sun | Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1 in. is dry, about every 3–4 days in summer, every 7–10 days in winter | Moderate | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Spider plant | Bright indirect; tolerates medium light | When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) |
If you live with a cat that chews leaves or a puppy that tastes everything, the plants on your shelf matter. This collection includes only plants that the ASPCA classifies as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
How we decide what's pet-safe
We follow the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's list of plants toxic and non-toxic to cats and the matching list for dogs. A plant goes into this collection only if it is listed as non-toxic for both. Where a plant is not on the ASPCA lists at all, we do not call it pet-safe.
Non-toxic houseplants per ASPCA
| Plant | Good for |
|---|---|
| Spider plant | Easy care, hanging baskets |
| Calathea and prayer plant | Patterned leaves, medium light |
| Peperomia | Desks and shelves |
| Parlor palm and areca palm | Tall green accent |
| Boston fern | Humid rooms, bathrooms |
| African violet | Blooms in a bright window |
| Hoya | Trailing, fragrant flowers |
| Christmas cactus | Winter blooms |
| Haworthia and echeveria | Small succulents |
| Money tree | Floor plant |
| Polka dot plant | Color in bright light |
| Bromeliad | Long-lasting colorful bracts |
Non-toxic does not mean edible
The ASPCA notes that even non-toxic plants can cause vomiting or diarrhea if a pet eats enough of them. Fertilizer granules, systemic insecticides in the soil and leaf-shine products can also be harmful, so keep pots topped with plain mix and avoid soil-applied pesticides where pets dig. If your cat eats plants constantly, a pot of cat grass gives it something allowed to chew.
If your pet eats a toxic plant
- Take any remaining plant material away from your pet and keep a sample or photo of the plant.
- Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These services may charge a consultation fee.
- Don't induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinarian tells you to.
For a child who has eaten part of a plant, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Plants to keep away from pets
Many popular houseplants are toxic: pothos, philodendron, monstera, peace lily, snake plant, dracaena, aloe, jade plant and dieffenbachia, among others. The toxic houseplants collection explains what each one does and how to keep them safely, if at all, in a home with pets.
Often mislabeled: plants that don't belong here
| Plant | Why it doesn't really fit |
|---|---|
| Peace lily | Not a true lily and not lethal like lilies, but ASPCA lists it as toxic: it contains insoluble calcium oxalates. |
| Pothos and philodendron | Often called beginner plants; both are toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA. |
| Snake plant and ZZ plant | Easy-care favorites that are not pet-safe; ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic. |
| Aloe vera | Sold as a wellness plant, but toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA. |
Frequently asked questions
What houseplants are safe for cats?
Per the ASPCA lists: spider plant, calathea, prayer plant, peperomia, parlor and areca palms, Boston fern, African violet, haworthia, hoya, Christmas cactus, polka dot plant, money tree and bromeliads.
Is spider plant safe for cats?
Yes, ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats are often drawn to its leaves; chewing can cause mild stomach upset, so hang it out of reach if your cat eats it obsessively.
Are succulents safe for pets?
Some are: haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic per ASPCA. Jade plant, aloe and kalanchoe are toxic.
What should I do if my dog or cat ate a houseplant?
Remove any plant material from the mouth, identify the plant and call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply. Don't induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
Are lilies dangerous to cats?
True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis) are extremely dangerous to cats: even small amounts of leaf, flower or pollen can cause kidney failure. Treat any exposure as an emergency.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these publications. Links open in a new tab.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List — cats plant list www.aspca.org
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List — dogs plant list www.aspca.org
- Pet Poison Helpline www.petpoisonhelpline.com