If you have cats and dogs at home, it is very legitimate to worry about the toxicity of your indoor plants. This post is by no means a complete list of non-toxic houseplants, but it does contain a selection of some of the most widespread houseplants and a handful of more unusual plants that you might want to grow!
All the houseplants I have used on this List have been classified as non-toxic by The ASPCA. However, keep in mind that any plants ingested by your cats or dogs can still cause vomiting or upset your pet’s stomach.
However, plants classified as non-toxic are not expected to be life-threatening.
If you have any doubts, check the ASPCA website or call your veterinarian. (There are a lot of sources with false information, so use reputable sources.)
BEST NON-TOXIC INDOOR PLANTS FOR CATS AND DOGS
Here are some wonderful options for indoor plants that are safe for pets.
1. African violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
African violets are not only plants that grandma used to grow. There are many beautiful African violets and it is a pleasure to grow them. If you like colorful plants, there are even colorful varieties that you can enjoy!
A cheerful African violet can be kept in almost constant flowering!
2. Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)
It is easy to see how the plant got its name, with its beautiful silvery markings on the foliage. This plant is easy to grow and should be more popular than it is!
3. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Who doesn’t love a well-grown spider plant? Cats especially like to play with it… but rest assured that they are considered non-toxic.
4. Areola palm (Dypsis lutescens)
If you are looking for a larger palm tree for your home, the Areca Palm is a great Option. It is safe for pets, but they can be sensitive to spider mites indoors, so increase the humidity to scare them away.
5. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
The Norfolk Island pines are actually very large trees in their natural environment. Although they grow quite slowly, they can make quite a statement over time!
6. Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
There are many beautiful Peperomia species to grow, and the “baby rubber plant” surpasses them all as easy to grow and very drought tolerant. There is a simple green Version of this plant, as well as a colored Version shown below.
7. Hare-footed fern (Davallia spp.)
The rabbit-legged fern got its name from the furry rhizomes that crawl over the entire surface of your pot and even on the sides.
It is a fern that is easier to keep in shape indoors as long as you don’t let it dry out too much.
