Pet-safe houseplants: plants that are safe for cats and dogs

Why it matters which plants you keep

Cats nibble leaves out of curiosity, boredom or to help bring up hairballs; puppies chew whatever is at mouth height. Many common houseplants contain irritating or toxic compounds. Most cause only drooling or a stomach upset, but a few can cause serious organ damage even in small amounts.

• Check before you buy: Look up the botanical (Latin) name, not just the common name. Many unrelated plants share names like “lily” or “palm”.
• Use one reliable list: The ASPCA plant list separates plants by cats, dogs and horses and is the reference used on this site.
• Think about gifts and bouquets: Cut flowers and seasonal plants are often the most dangerous items in the house.

Houseplants listed as non-toxic for cats and dogs

The plants below are listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs on the ASPCA list. They also happen to be easy to grow, so you don't have to choose between a safe home and a green one.

For lower light and humid rooms

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Calathea / prayer plant (Goeppertia)
• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
• Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Peperomia
• African violet

For bright windows

• Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
• Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
• Haworthia
• Echeveria
• Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)
• Hoya (wax plant)

“Non-toxic” does not mean “good to eat”

A plant listed as non-toxic will not poison your pet, but it is still not food. Eating a lot of any leaves can cause vomiting or diarrhea, especially in cats, whose digestive systems are built for meat.

• Spider plant leaves are a favourite of many cats; heavy chewing can still upset the stomach.
• Fertilizers, systemic pesticides, leaf-shine sprays and the potting mix itself can be harmful even when the plant is safe.
• Rough or sharp leaves, cactus spines and thorns can injure mouths and eyes.
• Lists can change and identifications can be wrong; when in doubt, ask your vet.

⚠️ Do not use fertilizer sticks, slug pellets or insecticides in pots that your pet can reach. These products are often more dangerous than the plant.

Plants to avoid: lilies come first

For cats, true lilies (Lilium spp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are among the most dangerous plants in the home. Every part counts: leaves, petals, pollen and even the water in the vase. A cat that brushes past and licks pollen from its fur can be affected. Do not keep these plants or bouquets in a home with cats at all.

Other common plants listed as toxic to cats and/or dogs:

• Sago palm (Cycas revoluta): Not a true palm; very dangerous for both cats and dogs, especially the seeds.
• Dieffenbachia, peace lily, pothos, philodendron, monstera: Contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat.
• Aloe vera, snake plant, ZZ plant, jade plant: Can cause vomiting and other stomach problems.
• Bulbs: Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, especially the bulbs, which dogs like to dig up.
• Garden plants: Oleander, English ivy, cyclamen and chrysanthemum.

⚠️ “Peace lily” and “calla lily” are not true lilies. They irritate the mouth but do not cause the same kidney damage. True lilies and daylilies remain the main danger for cats.

Cats and dogs: different risks

The same plant can affect species differently, and their habits differ too. Keep both in mind when you arrange the house.

How to place plants so pets leave them alone

Even with safe plants, it is better for the plants and the pets if leaves stay uneaten. A few steps help a lot:

1. Start with safe plants: Remove or give away plants on the toxic list before relying on any trick.
2. Use hanging pots: Hang spider plants, ferns and hoyas from the ceiling, away from furniture a cat could jump from.
3. Choose closed or high shelves: A glass cabinet, a plant shelf in a room the pet cannot enter, or a high shelf with no jumping point nearby.
4. Cover the soil: Large pebbles or a mesh over the soil stop digging and stop cats from using big pots as a litter box.
5. Make plants less interesting: Many cats dislike citrus smells and sticky surfaces; place a citrus peel or double-sided tape near the pot (not on the plant).
6. Offer something better: A pot of cat grass in a more accessible spot often draws attention away from your plants.

Cat grass and catnip: a safe alternative

Many cats need to chew something green. Giving them their own pot is one of the most effective ways to protect other plants.

• Cat grass: Usually young oat, wheat or barley grass. Sow seeds in a shallow pot; it is ready to chew in about 7–10 days (estimated). Sow a new pot every 2–3 weeks so there is always a fresh one.
• Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Listed as non-toxic; many cats roll on it and play. Grow it in a bright window or on a balcony.
• Location: Put the cat grass where the cat likes to rest, away from your other plants.
• For dogs: Puzzle toys and chew toys usually work better than a plant.

Signs that your pet may have eaten a toxic plant

Symptoms depend on the plant, the amount and the animal. General warning signs include:

• Drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling of the lips or tongue
• Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• Lethargy, hiding, unusual behaviour
• Drinking and urinating much more or much less than usual
• Difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures

With lilies, a cat may look normal at first; that does not mean it is out of danger.

⚠️ If you think your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your vet or a pet poison control helpline right away, even if there are no symptoms yet. Do not try to make the animal vomit or give any home remedy unless a vet tells you to. Take the plant or a photo of its label with you.

Common situations and what to do

Frequently asked questions

Pet-safe plants on this site

Spider PlantCalatheaBoston fernParlor PalmAreca palmAfrican VioletPeperomiaHaworthia