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Easy pet-safe houseplants

Want a plant that’s both hard to kill and safe around your cat or dog? These are forgiving, beginner-friendly houseplants that are non-toxic to pets. Each links to a full care guide.

36 curated plants

Parlor palmChamaedorea elegansevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Cast-iron plantAspidistra elatiorevery 20 to 30 days · winterPet-safe Spider plantChlorophytum comosumevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Moth orchidPhalaenopsis spp.When the bark is nearly dryPet-safe Kentia palmHowea forsterianaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Money treePachira aquaticaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe African violetSaintpaulia ionanthaevery 8 to 12 days · winterPet-safe Christmas cactusSchlumbergera spp.When the top 2–3 cm (0.8⁠–⁠1.2 in) of soil is dryPet-safe Holly fernCyrtomium falcatumevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Lemon button fernNephrolepis cordifoliaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Japanese araliaFatsia japonicaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Aluminum plantPilea cadiereievery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Friendship plantPilea involucrataevery 10 to 14 days · winterPet-safe Polka dot plantHypoestes phyllostachyaevery 8 to 12 days · winterPet-safe Baby rubber plantPeperomia obtusifoliaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Watermelon peperomiaPeperomia argyreiaLet the surface dry before wateringPet-safe Lady palmRhapis excelsaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Scarlet star bromeliadGuzmania lingulataWater in the cup, compost just dampPet-safe New Guinea impatiensImpatiens hawkerievery 6 to 10 days · winterPet-safe Mistletoe cactusRhipsalis bacciferaevery 11 to 17 days · winterPet-safe Zebra haworthiaHaworthia fasciataevery 22 to 34 days · winterPet-safe Zebra haworthiaHaworthia attenuataSoak, then let the mix dry outPet-safe Wax plantHoya carnosaevery 14 to 22 days · winterPet-safe Sweetheart plantHoya kerriievery 22 to 34 days · winterPet-safe EcheveriaEcheveria spp.every 24 to 36 days · winterPet-safe Donkey’s tailSedum morganianumevery 22 to 34 days · winterPet-safe Ponytail palmBeaucarnea recurvataevery 28 to 42 days · winterPet-safe BloodleafIresine herbstiievery 6 to 10 days · winterPet-safe Windmill palmTrachycarpus fortuneievery 14 to 22 days · winterPet-safe RosemaryRosmarinus officinalisevery 6 to 8 days · winterPet-safe Bunny ear cactusOpuntia microdasysevery 34 to 50 days · winterPet-safe Ghost plantGraptopetalum paraguayenseevery 22 to 34 days · winterPet-safe Hindu rope hoyaHoya compactaevery 14 to 22 days · winterPet-safe Purple passion plantGynura aurantiacaevery 8 to 12 days · winterPet-safe Old man cactusCephalocereus senilisevery 36 to 54 days · winterPet-safe BasilOcimum basilicumevery 6 to 8 days · winterPet-safe

Every plant below is rated easy to care for and hand-checked against ASPCA toxicity data as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It’s sourced reference data, not a substitute for your vet, but it’s the combination most pet owners are looking for.

Care know-how

Common questions

What is an easy houseplant that is safe for cats?

Spider plant, Parlor palm, and Moth orchid are easy to grow and have ASPCA non-toxic records for cats and dogs. All three are on this list.

Are these plants guaranteed safe for my pet?

Every plant here is hand-checked against ASPCA data and listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. That is reference information, not veterinary advice. If your pet chews any plant and seems unwell, contact your vet or a pet poison line.

Which popular houseplants should pet owners avoid?

Monstera, Pothos, ZZ plant, Peace lily, and Philodendron are all toxic to cats and dogs. Most contain calcium oxalate crystals. See our pet-safe houseplants page for the toxic list and safe swaps.

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