If you’re an animal lover with a green thumb, you’ve probably met more than a few plants you couldn’t bring home because of your four-legged friend. Lots of houseplants are toxic for cats and dogs! We’ve got a solution for you, though: we’ve compiled a list of gorgeous houseplants that are totally safe for dogs and cats.
You can enjoy your in-home greenery in peace, knowing that your pets are completely safe from plant toxins. While they can still certainly tip over pots or play with the leaves, here’s a list of houseplants that won’t harm your dogs and cats.
1. Rattlesnake Plant
These are easy-to-care-for plants that have a simple watering schedule and low-light needs. They’re absolutely beautiful and will bring a plant-friendly pop of color to your home!
2. Parlor Palm
Another gorgeous plant with low-light needs, the parlor palm can be stuck on a corner of a desk. The biggest threat this plant will cause is to your carpet if your cat likes to knock things off of tables!
3. Ponytail Palm
Another palm making the list of safe plants for dogs and cats is the ponytail palm. This adorable palm is gorgeous and low-maintenance.
4. Spider Plant
Another low-maintenance plant, spider plants are completely safe with your four-legged friends. They also naturally purify the air, making the environment even healthier!
5. Calathea Orbifolia
These beautiful plants are completely non-toxic to dogs and cats. They’re also fairly low maintenance, needing only partial shade. They do enjoy humidity, so you may need to boost up the water content nearby.
6. Bird’s Nest Fern
These gorgeous plants look like pasta noodles with amazingly crimped edges. In addition to being stunning, they’re also completely animal-safe. Stick one of these beauties in your bathroom so they can soak up the shower humidity!
7. Boston Fern
Ferns are a popular category of animal-safe plants. Boston ferns are low-maintenance ferns, only requiring some occasional fertilizer. You will want to make sure they have plenty of humidity, so we suggest misting the leaves regularly!
8. Haworthia
Haworthia is a part of the succulent family, and many succulents are safe for dogs and cats. Succulents are pretty easy to care for. Just make sure that they have plenty of sun!
9. Venus Flytrap
Some might define this plant-with-a-personality as a pet in and of itself, but the Venus flytrap is also safe for your pets. It does like a porch but can be comfortable anywhere with some direct sunlight and distilled water.
10. Watermelon Peperomia
This playful plant is totally safe for your cat or dog. They’re low maintenance and absolutely adorable, with leaves resembling watermelons.
11. Orchid
Orchids are some of the most beautiful indoor plants you can grow, and they are totally safe in the company of your little four-legged friends. If your kitty is a swatter, you may have to keep an eye on it, but otherwise, enjoy!
12. African Violet
Another flower on the list is the African violet. These stunning flowers are completely safe in the company of dogs and cats. They’re fairly easy to care for and don’t need much special attention.
13. Polka Dot Plant
Another playful plant on the list is the polka dot plant. These plants are fairly small and perfect for an apartment with a pet or two. They are exotic plants, so they may be tough to find, but if you get your hands on one, they’re totally safe!
14. Baby’s Tears
If you’re looking to fill your house with some lush greenery that is pet-safe, consider bringing home some Baby’s Tears. These plants are stunning and green, covering the soil of the pot they are placed in.
15. Staghorn Fern
Yet another fern is making the list of safe plants for your dog and cat! These ferns are from Australia and appreciate light. It can be direct or indirect, but they need pretty regular sunshine. Make sure they have plenty of water to thrive.
16. Chinese Money Plant
For a pop of unique shape in the mix of your houseplants, grab a Chinese Money plant! These plants are completely safe for your dog or cat, and they add a great bold flare to any room.
17. Banana Tree
If you’re looking for a plant that’ll take up some space without harming your four-legged friends, try the banana tree. These large trees can sit inside and are non-toxic for cats and dogs. It’s not the easiest plant to grow, so be sure to research the necessary conditions before you bring this plant home.
18. Echeveria
Echeverias are another type of beautiful houseplant perfect for your mixed-species family. These are succulents that are fairly small, and they don’t require much maintenance. Overwatering is the biggest concern with these plants.
19. Friendship Plant
With a name like that, this plant has to be pet-friendly! The friendship plant is a small plant with stunning leaves that are pretty easy to grow. They don’t require much light, so they’re a great houseplant for apartments.
20. Air Plants
Air plants are a type of houseplant that requires some unique care. But they’re perfect for a home of animals because you can put them in a spot that is totally out of reach! They require water every few weeks, so make sure you can access the plant.
21. Prayer Plant
These are beautiful houseplants that are completely pet-friendly for your cats and dogs. Prayer plants require fertilizer in the spring and summer, so be sure you’re using a pet-safe fertilizer to care for your plant.
22. Gloxinia
Another beautiful flower plant, gloxinias can thrive indoors beside your cats and dogs. These pet-friendly flowers are gorgeous and don’t require much light. However, you’ll need to water these plants frequently to make sure they stay hydrated.
23. Mosaic Plant
With leaves in an unbelievably beautiful pattern, the mosaic plant is a green houseplant that is totally safe for your cats and dogs. It’s a somewhat low-maintenance plant, with the exception of its need for humidity. Stick your mosaic plant in the bathroom and enjoy its unique patterns!
24. Bromelia
For a burst of color, consider bringing home a bromelia. These plants are made of tough leaves featuring a bright pink and orange bloom in the center. They are pet-safe and low-maintenance as long as you have a humid environment. Additionally, clean-up in case of a knock-over is easy because these plants don’t require soil!
25. Purple Passion Vine
For some shimmery purple fun, consider bringing a purple passion vine into your home! These vines are animal-safe and bring a bright pizazz to your interior. They have short lifespans, living only a couple of years, so make the most of your time with the vine by preventing root rot.
Summary of Houseplants that Are Safe for Dogs and Cats
While the plant store can feel limiting when you’ve got a pet at home, there are plenty of houseplants that are completely safe for your cat or dog. Consider bringing home one of these diverse plants. Flowers, succulents, ferns, and more can be safe inside your house by your creatures!
As a reminder, if you’re using fertilizer on your plants, be sure that you’re using a pet-safe mixture. There are lots of fertilizers that are toxic to your cat or dog, so be diligent in your selection. Enjoy bringing these pet-safe beauties into your home!
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Studio Light and Shade/Shutterstock.com
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