15 Stunning Pet-Safe Houseplants (ASPCA Verified for Cats and Dogs)

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If you have ever Googled “is [plant] toxic to cats” at 2am, this list is for you. I started Kijani Paws after my cat Miso made a beeline for my monstera the day I brought it home. Spoiler: monstera is toxic. Lesson learned. Since then, I have rebuilt my entire plant collection around one rule — ASPCA verified non-toxic, full stop. These 15 pet-safe houseplants are beautiful, easy to find, and confirmed safe for both cats and dogs.

Always verify with the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database before bringing any new plant home.

Quick-Reference Table

Plant	Light	Water	ASPCA Status
Spider Plant	Indirect	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Boston Fern	Indirect	High	Non-toxic ✅
Orchid (Phalaenopsis)	Bright indirect	Low	Non-toxic ✅
Calathea	Low–medium	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Money Tree	Bright indirect	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Peperomia	Low–medium	Low	Non-toxic ✅
Air Plant	Bright indirect	Weekly soak	Non-toxic ✅
Haworthia	Bright indirect	Low	Non-toxic ✅
Swedish Ivy	Medium	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
African Violet	Bright indirect	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Areca Palm	Bright indirect	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Parlor Palm	Low–medium	Moderate	Non-toxic ✅
Bromeliad	Medium	Cup method	Non-toxic ✅
Christmas Cactus	Bright indirect	Low	Non-toxic ✅
Cast Iron Plant	Low	Low	Non-toxic ✅

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

According to the ASPCA, spider plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Here is a fun fact though — cats are weirdly obsessed with them because of a mild hallucinogenic compound similar to opium (extremely mild and completely harmless, but it does explain why Miso loses her mind around mine). Spider plants are nearly indestructible, thrive in almost any light, and produce cascading babies you can propagate endlessly. Genuinely the best starter plant for a pet household.

Care tip: Let the soil dry out between waterings. They hate soggy roots.
Get it: Live spider plant on Amazon

2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The ASPCA confirms Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats and dogs. They are lush, dramatic, and genuinely stunning in a hanging basket. The catch: they will throw an absolute tantrum if the air is too dry. Give them humidity or they will turn brown and crispy out of spite. I keep mine in the bathroom — it loves the steam from the shower.

Care tip: Mist daily or set on a pebble tray with water. Bathroom placement is ideal.
Get it: Live Boston fern on Amazon

3. Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Phalaenopsis orchids — the kind you find at every florist and grocery store — are ASPCA non-toxic for both cats and dogs. They look impossibly elegant, they bloom for months, and they are actually much easier than their reputation suggests. One watering a week, bright indirect light, and they are happy.

Care tip: Water by letting water run through the pot, then let it dry completely before the next watering. Never leave in standing water.
Get it: Live Phalaenopsis orchid on Amazon

4. Calathea

Calathea is ASPCA non-toxic and absolutely breathtaking — each variety has different hand-painted-looking patterns on the leaves. They also close their leaves at night and reopen them in the morning, which never stops being cool. The downside: they hate tap water chlorine. Use filtered or distilled water or you will get perpetual brown tips and blame yourself unfairly.

Care tip: Always use room-temperature filtered water. No direct sun, ever.
Get it: Calathea orbifolia on Amazon

5. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

The Money Tree is ASPCA non-toxic for cats and dogs and brings serious sculptural energy to any room. The braided trunk is not natural — growers braid multiple young trees together while they are still flexible. It is also one of the most forgiving large houseplants: bright indirect light, water every one to two weeks, good drainage.

Care tip: Rotate it a quarter turn every few weeks so all sides get equal light.

6. Peperomia

With nearly 1,000 species, Peperomia offers something for every aesthetic — watermelon stripes, rippled velvet leaves, trailing vines, coin-shaped pads. The ASPCA lists them as non-toxic to cats and dogs. They are drought-tolerant, low-light friendly, and perfect for anyone who sometimes forgets to water things. No judgment.

Care tip: Water when the top two inches of soil are dry. These genuinely do not like overwatering.
Get it: Watermelon peperomia on Amazon

7. Air Plant (Tillandsia)

Air plants are ASPCA non-toxic and grow without any soil — which makes them the ultimate pet-safe plant. No soil means no knocked-over dirt, no digging, no mess. They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves. Weekly soaking is all they need.

Care tip: Soak in room-temperature water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, shake off excess, and let them dry completely before returning to their display.

8. Haworthia

If you love succulents but have a cat who chews on things (same), Haworthia is your answer. The ASPCA confirms it is non-toxic to cats and dogs — unlike aloe vera, which looks similar and IS toxic. Haworthia stays compact, comes in dozens of varieties, and practically thrives on neglect.

Care tip: Bright indirect light, water every two to three weeks. One of the most indestructible plants on this list.

9. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)

Swedish Ivy is the best trailing alternative to pothos — which, for the record, IS toxic according to the ASPCA. Swedish Ivy gives you the same lush, cascading look, drapes beautifully from a hanging basket, and is confirmed non-toxic for cats and dogs. It grows quickly and tolerates a wide range of light conditions.

Care tip: Keep evenly moist and give it bright indirect light for the best growth.

10. African Violet (Saintpaulia)

African Violets are ASPCA non-toxic and one of the few indoor plants that blooms reliably year-round. They are compact, beautiful, and genuinely happy in low to medium light — which is rare for a flowering plant. The trick to keeping them healthy: water from the bottom to keep the fuzzy leaves dry.

Care tip: Set the pot in a tray of water for 30 minutes rather than watering from above. Never wet the leaves.

11. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The Areca Palm is ASPCA non-toxic and brings serious tropical energy. It is one of the best air-purifying palms you can grow indoors and can grow impressively large over time. It does best with bright indirect light — south or west-facing windows are ideal.

Care tip: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Keep humidity up to prevent brown leaf tips.

12. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The Parlor Palm is ASPCA non-toxic and one of the most low-light tolerant palms available. Unlike the Areca, it is genuinely happy in shadier spots, making it perfect for apartments. It is a slow grower, but it is also incredibly forgiving of neglect and low light.

Care tip: Avoid cold drafts and direct sun. Water when the top inch of soil dries out.

13. Bromeliad

Bromeliads are ASPCA non-toxic and as dramatic as a houseplant gets — vivid, colorful, and architecturally interesting. They are epiphytic by nature, meaning they naturally grow on other surfaces and absorb water through their central cup rather than their roots. Keep the cup filled with fresh water.

Care tip: Change the water in the central cup weekly to prevent stagnation. Prefer bright, indirect light.

14. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

Christmas Cactus is ASPCA non-toxic — great news, because they are everywhere during the holidays and curious pets always investigate. They produce stunning red, pink, and white blooms when kept in cooler temperatures in fall. Despite the name, they are not actually cacti and do not like dry conditions.

Care tip: Reduce watering and move to a cooler room for six weeks in October to trigger blooming.

15. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The Cast Iron Plant earns its name. According to the ASPCA, it is non-toxic for cats and dogs — and it genuinely thrives on neglect. Low light, irregular watering, temperature swings — it does not care. If you have killed everything else, start here. I mean that with love.

Care tip: Water every two to three weeks and keep out of direct sun. That is literally all you need to do.

Setting Up Your Pet-Safe Plant Corner

Once you have picked your plants, good pots and soil make a real difference. A ceramic pot with drainage holes prevents root rot, and a quality indoor potting mix gives your plants the right foundation. I also keep cat grass growing on the windowsill as a designated chew spot — it keeps Miso away from everything else. [INTERNAL LINK: best cat grass kits]

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all 15 plants on this list completely safe for cats and dogs?

According to the ASPCA, all 15 plants listed here are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset if your pet eats a large amount. When in doubt, always verify at aspca.org before bringing a new plant home.

What is the safest plant for a home with cats who chew everything?

Spider plant, cast iron plant, and haworthia are the most forgiving options. If your cat is a serial chewer, also consider growing cat grass as a dedicated chew target — it keeps them occupied and away from your other plants. [INTERNAL LINK: best cat grass kits]

Is pothos pet-safe? I see it on a lot of lists.

No — pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. It causes oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It shows up on plant lists constantly because it is gorgeous and easy, which makes it frustrating. [INTERNAL LINK: pothos alternatives for pet owners]

What should I do if my pet eats one of these plants?

Even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset. Monitor your pet and watch for vomiting or lethargy. If you are ever unsure whether a plant is safe, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435.

Can I keep toxic plants like monstera if I put them on a high shelf?

Cats especially can reach shelves you would not expect. The safest approach is to remove toxic plants entirely and replace them with ASPCA-verified alternatives from this list.

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Found a plant you love? Pin this for later — and if your cat is a serial plant chewer like mine, drop a comment below with their favourite target. I need to know I am not alone.

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Keep Reading

• 10 Most Toxic Houseplants for Cats and Dogs (ASPCA Verified)
• Boston Fern Care Guide: The Classic Pet-Safe Hanging Plant
• Best Cat Grass Kits: Grow Safe Greens Your Cat Will Actually Eat
• What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Toxic Plant: ASPCA Emergency Guide