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Pets and Plants? Yes You Can!Bringing home a new houseplant (or 20) is exciting! So many species and varieties to choose from, a trip to the garden center is a joyful experience. For those of us with pets however, knowing that Buster, the beloved beagle, and Mrs. Mittens, the naughty tabby, love to chew on fresh and tasty-looking leaves, standing in a warm greenhouse faced with hundreds of houseplant choices can sometimes be overwhelming. Is this beautiful plant going to look magnificent on your plant shelf (probably), but is it going to land Buster in the ER (possibly). While there are several plants that are toxic to pets including Monstera (sorry), Aloe Vera, and Pothos (say it isn't so), fortunately, there are plenty of plants that are perfectly safe. In addition to being non-toxic to your four-legged fur babies, they are easy and fun to grow!
Every pet is unique, and their reactions to plants can vary. It's important to watch your pet when introducing new plants into their environment. Make sure that your pet doesn't ingest a lot of any of these plants, because too much of anything can cause tummy upset. The good news is that a nibble or two from a curious pet, shouldn't cause any damage thanks to the non-toxic nature of these plants. This list was compiled using data provided by the ASPCA who have deemed these selections non-toxic. If you're unsure if a plant is safe around your pets, check their Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database or ask us! Tip: Save the ASPCA’s pet poison hotline in your phone for emergencies. With a little pre-planning and knowledge, you too, can enjoy a planty, pet-friendly home that keeps your furry kiddos safe and happy! 
1. African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
With 32,000 varieties to choose from, there is an African Violet for everyone. Compact, easy-to-grow, and adaptable, they have been a popular houseplant for generations. In a range of flower colors, petal count, leaf shapes, and variegation, these pet-friendly darlings recently saw a resurgence in popularity due to their ease of care. Just be careful when watering so as not to splash the leaves. Wet leaves will "melt" or become transparent-looking. Origin: Kenya, Tanzania Care Tips 
2. Baby Tears (Soleirola soleirolii)
Tiny, sweet leaves form a dense mat of green that cascades over the sides of pots or creep along the edges of a DIY terrarium. This pet-safe delight produces little creamy white, sometimes fragrant, flowers, enhancing their charm even more. Note: Baby Tears grow fast and should be repotted regularly. Origin: Mediterranean Care Tips 
3. Banana Plant (Musa acuminata)
With lush and dense glossy green leaves, is there anything more tropical than a Banana Plant? Even though they can develop fruit, which is rare indoors, bananas are known for their foliage. They require high humidity, intense light, and consistently high temperatures. Even if you could achieve these conditions, the fruit will not taste like the bananas that you love in a smoothie, but similar to a plantain, and more starchy. Safe for pets, Banana Plants grow quickly and should be repotted when the roots begin to grow out of drainage holes. Origin: Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa Care Tips 
4. Vase Plant or Bromeliads (Guzmania lingulate)
Bromeliads are a fantastic pet-safe choice if you want to add a big dose of color to your indoor jungle. The bromeliad family is large and varied with more than 2,500 species and several thousand hybrids and cultivars. Bold foliage, vibrant, long-lasting blooms, and low-maintenance care make them even more appealing. Origin: Central and South America Care Tips 
5. Prayer Plants (Calathea spp.)
Prayer Plants are wonderful for households with pets as they are non-toxic, gorgeous, and relatively easy to take care of. Available in a range of variegations, patterns, and colors, they are known for closing their leaves at night and unfurling in the morning, resembling hands in prayer. Grown primarily for their foliage, if you’re lucky, you may see small white, pink, purple, yellow, or orange flowers. Origin: South America Care Tips 
6. Holiday Cacti (Schlumbergera spp.)
Easy to care for and fun to grow, holiday cacti are safe around our furry friends. Originating from Brazil, these cacti can live for decades – and some for centuries - passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms. Vibrant, sometimes fluorescent flowers bloom during different times of the year depending on the variety: Care Tips 
7. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
Popular for their easy-care and scalloped fronds, Boston Ferns are non-toxic to pets and grow just as well inside as they do on porches and patios. Lush, arching branches covered with soft, emerald-green fronds cascading over pot edges fit well into every style, from bohemian, to modern, to classical, to cottage style. Origin: South America, Mexico, Florida, West Indies Care Tips 
8. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.)
Maidenhair Ferns are as charming as they are safe for four-legged friends, with delicate, heart-shaped fronds held on thin, arching stems. Seeming to float in the air, these beauties can be both indoor plants and outdoor perennial plants. Sensitive to moisture, they do very well as terrarium plants or in areas with more than 60% humidity. Care Tips 
9. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
An ideal option for plant lovers who love color and have pets, Nerve Plants are non-toxic, fast-growing, and low maintenance. Lovely on tabletops, in hanging baskets, and inside terrariums, rich green leaves are highlighted with bright pink, red, or white veins. With more than 50 varieties in a range of leaf colors and veining, there are many Fittonia from which to choose. Origin: South America Care Tips 
10. Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Tropical Hibiscus, also known as Chinese Hibiscus, are safe around our family pets. In Wisconsin, they are annuals brought inside to overwinter. This variety should not be confused with perennial hardy hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), which are toxic and typically grown outdoors. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are the epitome of the tropics, with large, bold flowers in vibrant colors including white, pink, red, yellow, orange, purple, and bicolor. Origin: Asia Care Tips 
11. Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
If you can’t resist a Hoya, with their fragrant, star-shaped flowers and green waxy leaves, you are not alone. If you have pets, fear not, because bringing home a Hoya is okay! This fur friend safe plant is a fast-growing vine that can be trained to climb or trail over the edge of a pot. Origin: Indochina, Indonesia, Australasia Care Tips 
12. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Pet-friendly and low maintenance, a Parlor Palm creates a lush, tropical atmosphere with its dense, arching fronds. In the Victorian era, Parlor Palms symbolized worldliness and sophistication and were popular as they could flourish in either low-light or bright rooms. With their resilience and ease of care, they remain a reliable choice even today. Origin: Mexico, Guatemala Care Tips 
13. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Great for beginners, Ponytail Palm is an easy to grow and interesting houseplant. Despite the name “palm,” this beauty is a succulent and prefers dry soil. This slow-growing tree will eventually grow in width and height, but it will take some time to get there. As long as you don't overwater it, the Ponytail Palm is nearly indestructible. Origin: Mexico Care Tips 
14. Moth Orchid (Phalenopsis spp.)
Is there anything more striking than an orchid? Beguiling, elegant, exotic, intricate, and beautiful, households with pets can have an orchid if you choose the right species. Not all orchids are pet-safe, but the good news is that the most popular variety, the Moth Orchid or Phalenopsis, is one of the fur friendliest. Originating in Southeast Asia, butterfly-shaped flowers range in colors including pink, lavender, apricot, orange, yellow, white, and more. With the right care, orchids can last for years. Other pet safe orchids include Cattleya (native to Costa Rica and Argentina) and Dendrobium (originating in subtropical Asia, the Pacific Islands, Australia, India, China, Japan, New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, and New Zealand). Care Tips 
15. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
The Pilea genus is broad, including more than 700 distinct species, each with their own unique characteristics and appeal. Perhaps the most recognizable is the Chinese Money Plant, which happens to be an easy plant to grow and pet safe. Originating in South China, these fast-growing wonders will produce little offshoots (baby plants) that can be divided (once they’re a few inches tall) and repotted. Also known as the "Pass it Along Plant," sharing plantlets makes great gifts! Other pet friendly Pilea include the Friendship Plant (Pilea spruceana), the Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei), and the Artillery Plant (Pilea microphylla). Care Tips 
16. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
There is something about a Polka Dot Plant that makes you need one. Or two, or three, or more. With spotted and dotted leaves and freckles of white, pink, green or red, they are not only whimsical but downright cute. Safe around our fur babies, they are very easy to grow and look delightful all on their own or mixed with other pet safe plants like Calathea. They also do well outside in shady spots in beds, borders, and containers, but are annuals in Wisconsin. Origin: South Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia Care Tips 
17. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant, an icon of the houseplant boom in the 1970s, is popular all over again as new generations discover its ease of care, pet friendliness, and air cleansing capabilities. Non-toxic to cats and dogs, Spider Plants are unique looking, with their long, draping leaves, tiny star-shaped flowers, and best of all, tiny plantlets that develop where flowers once bloomed. They look wonderful in hanging plants or in desktop containers. Origin: South and West Africa Care Tips 
18. Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.)
If your cats or dogs dare to nibble on the spiky fronds of an Air Plant, don’t panic, they are non-toxic. Tillandsia usually live for several years and will produce flowers only once in their lifetime. Blooms are brightly colored and last several days to many months, depending on the species. A healthy and happy plant will produce plantlets that can be separated from the main plant and grown on their own or left in place, allowing the plant to form a clump. Tillandsia can be displayed in many creative ways including placing them in open containers like terrariums, glass orbs, driftwood, cork bark, or geometric metal frames. Other fun displays include mobiles, kokedama, wall-mounted art, or in candle holders and decorative bowls, creating natural, modern, or rustic looks. The most important thing to remember is to make sure there is good airflow and allow them to dry after watering. Origin: Central and South America, Mexico, West Indies, southern United States Care Tips 
19. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Amp up the tropical vibes with a Lipstick Plant! Safe for pets, its waxy and dark green leaves are accented with vibrant red tubular flowers. Why the name lipstick? Dark maroon buds open to bright red blooms that peek out like lipstick in a tube. Reaching lengths of 2’ to 3’ they are best as hanging plants or in a container cascading over a shelf. Origin: Malaysia Care Tips 
20. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
With its unique braided trunk and lovely palm-like leaves, the Money Tree is not only a stunner, but safe for your pets. Fast-growing and resilient, it can easily reach up to 8’ in height! Believed to bring good fortune, the braided stem is said to preserve the wealth it promotes, while enhancing the energy in your home. Origin: Mexico, South America Care Tips |
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