Pet-Safe Hanging Plants: Beautiful Trailers for Cat & Dog Homes

Pet-safe hanging plants are a smart way to fill your home with greenery while keeping it out of reach of curious cats and dogs. This guide rounds up the best pet-safe hanging plants, all ASPCA non-toxic, plus tips for hanging them safely.

Here is the thing: hanging a plant high up is great, but cats are acrobats. So I only picked plants that are safe even if your pet does reach them.

Why choose pet-safe hanging plants

Hanging plants do two jobs at once: they save floor and shelf space, and they lift greenery away from pets. But height alone is not a safety plan, because cats climb and dogs jump.

That is why pet-safe hanging plants matter. When the plant itself is non-toxic, a curious nibble is no big deal. Every plant below is confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA.

The best pet-safe hanging plants

These are my favorite pet-safe hanging plants for cat and dog homes:

• Spider plant: the classic. It cascades, sprouts cute babies, and is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs. The easiest of all pet-safe hanging plants.
• Boston fern: lush and full in a hanging basket, and pet-safe. See my Boston fern care guide.
• Christmas cactus: trails nicely and blooms in winter. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Haworthia (in a hanging pot): a small, sculptural succulent that is non-toxic and loves a sunny hanging spot.

Mix and match these pet-safe hanging plants for a layered, leafy look at different heights.

How to hang plants safely

Even with pet-safe hanging plants, a few smart habits keep the setup tidy and safe:

• Use a sturdy ceiling hook rated for the pot’s full, watered weight.
• Hang plants away from shelves and furniture your cat can launch from.
• Keep trailing vines trimmed so they do not dangle into pounce range.
• Choose lightweight pots with drainage and a drip tray to avoid messes.

Hanging plants to avoid

Some popular trailing plants are toxic, so they are not pet-safe hanging plants no matter how high you put them. Skip pothos, philodendron, and English ivy, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs.

If your heart is set on that trailing-vine look, the spider plant gives you the same effect safely.

Pet-safe hanging plants FAQ

What are the best pet-safe hanging plants?
Spider plant, Boston fern, Christmas cactus, and haworthia are all excellent pet-safe hanging plants, confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA.

Is pothos a pet-safe hanging plant?
No. Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs, so it is not one of the pet-safe hanging plants. Choose a spider plant instead.

Do hanging plants really keep cats safe?
Height helps, but cats climb. The safest approach is to combine hanging with pet-safe hanging plants that are non-toxic if reached.

Which hanging plant is easiest for beginners?
The spider plant. It is forgiving, fast-growing, and one of the most reliable pet-safe hanging plants.

The bottom line

Pet-safe hanging plants let you go green without the worry, lifting leafy beauty up high while staying non-toxic if a paw connects. Start with a spider plant or Boston fern, hang them securely, and skip the toxic trailers.

Want more safe greenery? See my money tree care guide and areca palm care guide. And before you shop, check the houseplants poisonous to dogs.

If your pet ever chews something you are unsure about, here are the signs your pet ate a toxic plant and what to do next.

Sources

• ASPCA — Spider Plant (non-toxic)
• ASPCA — Boston Fern (non-toxic)
• ASPCA — Christmas Cactus (non-toxic)

Written by Mo Ruman, a self-taught plant parent who cross-checks every plant against the ASPCA database. Not a vet — when in doubt, call your vet. More about Kijani Paws · Ask me about a plant.