I know that a lot of pet parents also love plants. After all, both plants and animals are important parts of nature. However, having both in your home can be tricky, particularly if you have pets that roam around freely like cats and dogs. Pets are curious creatures, so they may try to ingest plants when you’re not looking. To help protect your furry friends, what are some pet safe plants?
Which Common House Plants are Toxic for Pets?
First, before we cover pet safe house plants, I want to quickly mention plants that you need to avoid. The following plants could seriously harm your pet in some way, so it’s best to not have them at all or keep them securely out of reach.
Here are some house plants you should NOT have around pets:
Aloe
Amaryllis
Azalea
Begonia
Chrysanthemum
Daffodil
Holly
Hyacinth
Lilies
Mistletoe
Oleander (Nerium)
Sago Palm
Schefflera
Tulip
Yew
Remember, this is only a list of some toxic plants. There are too many house plants out there for me to talk about them all. So, if you don’t see a plant mentioned as toxic or non-toxic on here, make sure to research whether it’s pet safe or not before bringing it into your home.
Pet Safe Indoor Plants
Now that you know some house plants to avoid if you have pets, you might be wondering what you can have. If some of your favorite plants were on the danger list, don’t worry. There are tons of beautiful plants that are perfectly safe for homes with dogs and cats. Below are some popular choices.
I'm not able to list every plant in this article, so if you want to know if a specific plant is safe or toxic for pets, the ASPCA has a detailed list including most plants.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is a popular pet safe indoor plant that goes by many names, including spider ivy and airplane plant. It has a bunch of long, thin green leaves, making it a plant that looks good in any room. It’s called a spider plant because its long trailing stems resemble spider legs.
Hoya
There are hundreds of hoya species out there, so there are lots of varieties for pet parents. All hoyas are safe for pets and people. Hoya plants usually have thick green leaves and produce tiny, beautiful pink and white flowers. Depending on the variety of hoya, it could take several years to bloom, but it’s worth the wait and it looks amazing even without flowers.
Baby Rubber Plant
Baby rubber plants may have a silly name, but they’re a cool looking plant to have in your home. They have thick, waxy leaves and short stems making them cute and quirky in the best way possible. Many people love these plants because they’re low maintenance. Plus, they’re non-toxic to both dogs and cats.
African Violet
As the name implies, African violets are gorgeous plants with purple flowers. These plants thrive indoors and can have flowers year-round with proper care. Pets may be intrigued by these breathtaking flowers, but luckily, these are pet safe indoor plants.
Money Tree
Unfortunately, this isn’t a tree that grows money. Yet, it got its name because of a story of a man who prayed for money and found this tree shortly after. He supposedly made money by selling the plant’s seeds. Money trees, also known as Pachira Aquatica and Guinea Chestnuts, can grow 6 to 8 feet tall indoors, making them a great choice if you’re looking for a larger house plant. These plants are pet safe and easy to maintain.
Calathea
Calathea is a type of plant known for having unique patterns on its leaves. Depending on the variety, these plants typically have green or purple leaves with stripes and other stunning shapes on them. They’re the perfect plants to admire indoors, and there are so many unique kinds. Plus, all Calatheas are pet safe!
Orchid
Orchids are a classic type of flower that are known for their long stems and colorful petals. They come in a wide range of hues, including purple, pink, blue, red, white, yellow, and orange. While pets may be intrigued by them, there’s no need to worry because they’re pet safe. As a bonus, they have simple watering needs.
Peperomia
The Peperomia family, also known as radiator plants, is completely pet safe. They have rounded leaves that typically have a unique green pattern on them. They’re fun to admire in your home, and they’re generally easy to care for, as long as you don’t overwater them.
(Most) Succulents
Not only are succulents easy plants to care for, but they’re generally pet safe too. Chinese monkey plant, Echeveria, and Haworthia are all succulents you can have around pets. While most succulents are good choices, you should always check first. A few succulent plants, such as aloe and pencil cactus, are dangerous for pets to ingest.
(Most) Palms
Palm house plants have leaves that look similar to the leaves of palm trees, but of course, they’re a smaller size. These majestic, leafy plants are usually safe around dogs and cats. The parlor palm, ponytail palm, and Areca palm are a few great pet safe choices. However, there are a few palms you’ll want to steer clear of, such as the Sago palm.
(Most) Ferns
Ferns are beautiful green plants that have a bunch of long stems with lots of little green leaves coming off of them. Most ferns are pet safe, but the some popular options are Boston ferns, staghorn ferns, and Maidenhair ferns. While most ferns are perfectly fine, a few are toxic, such as emerald ferns and winter ferns. So, always double check that a fern is safe before putting it in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do if My Pet Eats a Toxic Plant?
If you think your pet ingested a toxic plant, contact your vet immediately. Pay attention for unusual symptoms in your pet, and alert your vet of those symptoms. While some symptoms may be temporary, it’s always better to be safe than sorry with your pet’s health, so visit an emergency vet if you’re worried.
How Can I Stop My Pet from Eating My Plants?
The best way to stop your pet from eating your plants is to keep them out of reach, such as on high shelves or in rooms your pet isn’t allowed in. You could also use pet deterrent sprays on the plants to make them taste and smell less appealing for your furry friend.
Are Snake Plants Pet Safe?
No, snake plants like Sansevieria and Dracaena are not safe for pets. Many snake plant varieties contain saponins, which can be toxic if ingested. So, it’s best to keep these plants out of your home or at least out of reach from pets.
Are Spider Plants Pet Safe?
Yes, spider plants are safe for cats and dogs. However, cats are sometimes attracted to this plant and may try to frequently play with it or eat it. If that’s the case for your feline companion, keep the plant in a spot your pet cannot access.
Are Monstera Plants Pet Safe?
No, Monstera plants aren’t safe for pets. These gorgeous plants are toxic to both dogs and cats, and they could cause your pet’s mouth to feel like it’s burning if they bite it.
Pet Safe Plants Save Lives!
Even if you don’t think your pet will try to eat your plants, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your dog or cat ingests a toxic plant when you’re not looking, they could have severe reactions, which could potentially be life-threatening.
So, to ensure your home is as safe as possible for your furry friend, choose pet safe plants for your home. There are tons of awesome plants that are non-toxic for pets, so you can still have lots of plants without putting your furry friend at risk.
To further ensure your pet is safe, familiarize yourself with safe and toxic human foods for pets. Keeping unsafe foods out of reach could save your four-legged family member’s life.