Plants bring freshness and life to any space, be it indoor or outdoor. However, people who love their cats and dogs as much as their plants, face a challenge. Some house plants can be toxic or poisonous to cats and dogs if ingested.
Since it’s nearly impossible to control your pets from sneaking a bite of their favorite plant unless they are monitored 24/7, most people opt to ditch the plants and keep the pets. But worry not!
With this list, we’ll help you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Keep reading to discover our top picks on safe plants for dogs and cats.
African Violet
The African Violet is a beautiful flowering plant that makes a perfect addition to a kitchen shelf. This plant is safe for both cats and dogs, so you can keep it inside without worry. They require indirect sunlight and moderate watering, along with continuous fertilizing since they bloom throughout the year.
Gloxinia
These beautiful two-toned flowers are native to Brazil and make a stunning addition to indoor environments. The bright blossoms of Gloxinia come in various shades including red, pink, purple, and blue.
Gloxinias require moist soil and fertilization every couple of weeks for health, along with a healthy dose of indirect, bright sunlight. They won’t harm the doggies and they are cat-friendly houseplants, too!
Spider Plant
Spider Plants are a classic indoor plant, with stunning dual-toned leaves and an arching fall-style. They are a pet-friendly pet safe plant, though they’re often hung on walls anyway, typically out of the reach of any animals. This resilient plant is air purifying and prefers to have indirect bright light for optimal growth.
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Venus Flytrap
Venus Flytraps are the epitome of low maintenance. They only require one or two mothes a month to stay happy. This is a pet friendly plant and is quite intriguing. It’s best to place it on a porch so it can have access to moths and other insects for consumption.
The Venus Flytrap requires four hours––on average––of direct sunlight everyday, and it’s a good idea to use distilled water for watering the moist peat moss potting mix, since it needs pure water.
Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are luxurious indoor plants that are easy to maintain. These pet-friendly plants require fertilization every two months and they’re best suited to indirect light and high humidity levels. Be sure to check out our latest blog on the best fertilizer for indoor plants to learn more about fertilization!
Watermelon Peperomia
Peperomias in general, and Watermelon Peperomias in particular––named for their watermelon-like striped design in shades of green––are pet-safe houseplants.
They’re low-maintenance plants that don’t like direct sunlight, and don’t need a lot of watering. However, once the top couple of inches of the soil dries out, be sure to water to avoid dehydration.
Photo by Keila
Polka Dot Plant
Polka Dot plants are dog and cat friendly plants that do very well inside. They love to have their moment in indirect bright light, and require slightly moist soil at all times. In their native environment, Polka Dot plants can grow up to 3 feet tall. However, in a pot, they may only grow as tall as 10 inches
Orchid
Orchids are a beautiful flowering plant that almost everyone is familiar with, and they produce flowers that bloom just 4 months out of the year. However, they do require some extra care.
As a reward for that care, they are pet-safe and create a stunning focus point in any indoor setting. Keep in mind that Orchids prefer to sit under partial light and only need watering once a week, and overwatering them could cause yellowing of the leaves.
Bromeliad
From leaf to flower, the Bromeliad plant is a work of art. The beautiful contrast between the deep green of its leaves and the pinks of its flowers makes for a lovely centerpiece.
Bromeliad blooms can last a few months when given the proper care. They require plenty of fresh air flow and indirect bright light, and are completely safe for both cats and dogs.
Ponytail Palm
The Ponytail Palm is unlike any other plant; the thin leaves of the plant grows upward and arches, draping to the side and creating a ponytail-like appearance.
They make a perfect indoor plant not only because they are pet-friendly, but also because they are very easy to care for. Ponytail Palms aren’t specific about watering and light conditions, and only require dry soil in order to thrive.
Photo by Gabriella
Rattlesnake Plant
Rattlesnake plants are characterized by their unique leaf shape as well as the color pattern in them. Rattlesnake plants are ideal for an indoor environment, since they don’t need a lot of light.
They are best suited for fast-draining soil and regular watering when the top of the soil is dry. Use our app if you need help with your watering schedule. Rattlesnake plants are completely safe for dogs and cats.
Haworthia
Haworthia is very easy to care for and doesn’t need much other than bright sunlight and weekly watering. Even better, this beautiful succulent is pet-friendly, unlike some other succulents.
Mosaic Plant
Named so because of the mosaic pattern on its leaves, the Mosaic plant is very safe for cats and dogs. It loves high humidity levels and low light, which means raising it indoors is fairly easy to do.
This list of safe plants for dogs and cats may be short, but it’s mighty. Experience the joy of nurturing both pets and plants in unity by choosing plants that are pet-friendly and safe.
Looking for more information on plant care? Check out our latest guides on How to Use Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Indoor Plants and How to Repot Indoor Plants today!
Disclaimer
If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
