A Complete List of Non-Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs

If a cat chews your leaves or a puppy digs in your pots, you need pet-safe houseplants you can trust. This list covers 18 plants listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA or university extension specialists, with care notes for each. It also covers the common plants to keep away from pets, and what to do if your pet eats one.

What “pet-safe houseplants” really means

“Pet-safe” is a shorthand, and it helps to know its limits before you shop. The ASPCA’s plant database lists plants as toxic or non-toxic for dogs, cats and horses. Non-toxic means the plant is not known to cause poisoning. It does not mean your pet can eat it freely.

The ASPCA notes that eating any plant material may cause vomiting and stomach upset in dogs and cats. A 2025 University of Tennessee Extension guide makes the same point. It says non-toxic plants are not food, and they can still cause mild irritation if eaten.

So think of non-toxic plants as low-risk, not no-risk. A cat that chews a spider plant might vomit. A cat that chews a lily can die. That difference is the whole reason this list exists.

Pet-safe houseplants at a glance

Every plant in this table is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, the University of Tennessee Extension, or both. Use the light column to match a plant to the right spot in your home.

Safety status from the ASPCA plant database and UT Extension publication W 1128-C (2025). Several entries cover a whole genus. Check the exact species on the ASPCA site before buying a rare variety.

The best pet-safe houseplants, one by one

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It tolerates missed waterings and produces baby plants you can root in water. One quirk is worth knowing. The UT Extension guide notes it may have mildly hallucinogenic effects on some cats, which may explain why cats love chewing it. Hang it out of reach if your cat overdoes it. Our spider plant care guide covers watering and propagation.

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The ASPCA lists Boston fern as non-toxic to dogs and cats. It wants steady moisture and humidity, so a bathroom with a bright window suits it well. Dry air turns the fronds crispy and brown. It is a good swap for asparagus fern, which is not a true fern and is toxic to pets.

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The ASPCA lists the parlor palm as non-toxic, and it handles lower light than most palms. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. The UT guide notes its fronds may trigger a cat’s hunting instinct, so expect some batting at first. Choose it over the sago palm, which looks similar and is one of the most dangerous plants for pets.

Calathea and prayer plant (Calathea and Maranta)

The ASPCA lists Calathea as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and UT Extension includes Maranta too. Their leaves fold up at night, which gives prayer plants their name. They prefer filtered water, steady moisture and humidity. Brown leaf edges usually mean dry air or minerals in tap water. Botanists have moved many Calathea species into the genus Goeppertia, so plant labels vary.

Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Despite the name, this is not a true palm. It stores water in its swollen trunk, so it needs watering only when the soil is completely dry. UT Extension lists it as non-toxic. Its long, curly leaves tempt cats to play, but they are tough and rarely damaged.

Money tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money trees are sold with braided trunks and listed as non-toxic by UT Extension and the ASPCA. They like bright, indirect light and dislike soggy soil. In Feng Shui tradition, the plant is believed to bring prosperity. That is a cultural belief, and the plant’s real appeal is that it is easy to grow.

Peperomia and Pilea

Both genera are listed as non-toxic by UT Extension. Peperomias are compact, with thick leaves that store water, so they suit small shelves. Pilea peperomioides, the Chinese money plant, has round leaves and makes many offsets you can share. Both rot quickly if overwatered, so let the top of the soil dry first.

African violet (Streptocarpus)

African violets are among the few flowering houseplants considered safe for pets. Botanists reclassified them from Saintpaulia into Streptocarpus, which is why UT Extension uses the newer name. Water from below to keep the fuzzy leaves dry, since water spots and rot are common problems.

Holiday cactus (Schlumbergera)

Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti are listed as non-toxic by UT Extension, and they have no sharp spines. That makes them a pet-friendly holiday swap for poinsettias and amaryllis. They bloom best after a few weeks of cooler nights and long, dark evenings in autumn.

Haworthia and Echeveria: the pet-safe succulents

Many popular succulents are toxic, so these two matter. Haworthia looks like a small aloe, but UT Extension lists it as non-toxic, while aloe vera is not. Echeveria is in the same family as jade plant, which is toxic. That is a good reminder that family resemblance tells you nothing about safety. Always check the exact plant.

Hoya, Fittonia, bromeliads and cast iron plant

Hoyas trail and bloom with clusters of waxy, scented flowers. Fittonia has striking veined leaves but wilts dramatically when dry. Bromeliads, including the soil-free Tillandsia covered in our air plants guide, are listed as non-toxic by UT Extension. The cast iron plant earns its name by surviving low light and neglect.

[PHOTO: A spider plant and parlor palm on a high shelf above a cat bed, showing safe placement.]

Pet-safe houseplants by room and light

A plant in the wrong light struggles, and a struggling plant drops leaves that pets find and chew. Matching each plant to its spot keeps it healthy and keeps your floor clear. Use this guide to plan room by room.

Healthy plants also mean fewer pests, and fewer pests mean less need for sprays. That matters, because many pest treatments are a bigger risk to pets than the plant itself.

Houseplants that are toxic to cats and dogs

Many of the most popular houseplants appear on toxic lists. The table below draws on the UT Extension guide and ASPCA information. It is not complete, so check any plant you are unsure about.

Compiled from UT Extension W 1128-C (2025) and FDA guidance on lilies. Red text marks plants that can cause organ damage.

Two of these surprise many plant owners, because we have guides to them on this site. Lucky bamboo is a Dracaena, and the peace lily irritates the mouth. Both can stay in a pet home only if they are fully out of reach.

Why lilies are the biggest danger for cats

The US Food and Drug Administration warns that true lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure in cats. Every part is toxic, including leaves, flowers, pollen and the water in a vase. A cat can be poisoned simply by grooming pollen off its fur.

The FDA describes a typical timeline. Vomiting, drooling and low appetite appear within 12 hours. Kidney damage shows up between 12 and 24 hours, and kidney failure can follow within one to three days. Treatment delayed by 18 hours or more generally leads to irreversible kidney failure. Early treatment greatly improves the outlook.

The toxin affects only cats. The FDA says dogs that eat lilies usually get only mild stomach upset. Peace lilies and calla lilies are not true lilies. They cause mouth irritation rather than kidney failure, but they still deserve a call to your vet.

Look-alikes: safe plants and their toxic twins

Common names cause many mix-ups. Two plants can share a name, or look nearly identical, while having very different safety records. This table covers the swaps that matter most.

Hidden hazards around even pet-safe houseplants

Choosing a non-toxic plant solves only part of the problem. These risks apply to every pot in your home.

• Pesticides and leaf shine. Systemic insecticides, granules and some sprays can poison pets. Check product labels for pet warnings, and keep animals away until treated plants are dry.
• Fertilizer. Concentrated liquid and slow-release fertilizers can upset a pet’s stomach. Store them closed and out of reach.
• Soil, moss and drainage stones. Dogs may eat soil, and cats may use large pots as litter boxes. Cover the soil with a mesh or large flat stones.
• Spines and sharp leaves. UT Extension warns that cactus prickles can cause serious injury, even when the plant itself is not very toxic.
• Falling pots. Heavy pots on high shelves can tip when a cat jumps. Use stable bases or wall-mounted hangers.
• Cut flowers and gifts. Bouquets often contain lilies. Check every arrangement before it comes inside.

What to do if your pet eats a houseplant

Common warning signs include drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy and loss of appetite. In cats, drinking or urinating more than usual after a lily exposure can signal kidney damage. Children who chew plants need help too. In the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How to choose pet-safe houseplants for your home

A short routine prevents most problems. Use it every time you bring a new plant home.

1. Read the botanical name, not just the common name. “Money plant”, “lily” and “bamboo” each cover safe and toxic plants.
2. Check the ASPCA database for that exact plant, and look at both the dog and cat entries.
3. Match the plant to your pet. Cats climb and chew leaves. Dogs dig and chew stems and roots. Puppies and kittens chew everything.
4. Place by behavior. Hanging baskets work for cats that do not climb. Closed plant cabinets or rooms work for determined chewers.
5. Offer a legal alternative. A pot of cat grass gives cats something they are allowed to chew.
6. Keep a list. Write down each plant’s name and status, and keep it with your vet’s number.

Common mistakes with pet-safe houseplants

1. Trusting a “pet-friendly” shop tag. Store labels are sometimes wrong or refer to a different species. Check the database yourself.
2. Assuming a succulent is safe because another one is. Haworthia is non-toxic, while aloe and jade are toxic.
3. Keeping lilies “out of reach”. Pollen falls and drifts onto fur. In cat homes, lilies should not be inside at all.
4. Waiting for symptoms. With lilies and sago palm, early treatment matters most.
5. Forgetting gifts and outdoor plants. Bouquets, balcony pots and garden clippings bring toxic plants indoors.
6. Letting pets eat “safe” plants freely. Non-toxic plants can still cause vomiting, and pesticides on them can be harmful.

You can browse more plant profiles in our houseplants and garden section.

Your one step today

Walk through your home and write down the name of every plant, including bouquets. Check each one on the ASPCA list, and move or rehome any that are toxic. Then save your vet’s number and a pet poison hotline in your phone, so you are never searching for it in an emergency.

Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
2. ASPCA. Spider Plant entry. aspca.org
3. ASPCA. Boston Fern entry. aspca.org
4. ASPCA. Calathea entry. aspca.org
5. ASPCA. Parlor Palm entry. aspca.org
6. ASPCA. Money Tree entry. aspca.org
7. Campbell T, Bumgarner N. Growing Indoor Plants with Pets. University of Tennessee Extension, publication W 1128-C, March 2025. uthort.tennessee.edu
8. US Food and Drug Administration. Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination. fda.gov
9. Pet Poison Helpline. Lilies. petpoisonhelpline.com
10. The Woodlands Township Environmental Services. Ferns for Fido: 11 Pet-Friendly Houseplants. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
11. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online, for botanical names and families. powo.science.kew.org