Pet-safe houseplants for homes with cats and dogs 68
68 of the 214 plants in Plant Doctor's dataset are classified non-toxic to both cats and dogs, so one shopping list covers the whole household. Examples: Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Parlor Palm, and African Violet.
In this dataset every plant that is safe for cats is also safe for dogs, so this is the same set as the cat-safe list. Of the other 146 plants, 127 are toxic to at least one of them and 19 are not verified yet. Safe means non-toxic, not edible. A curious nibble is not a concern, but heavy grazing on any houseplant can still upset a stomach.
19 more plants (Bamboo Palm, Banana Plant, Bird's Nest Fern, Bougainvillea, Bromeliad, Cretan Brake Fern, Ctenanthe, Elephant Bush, Hibiscus, Impatiens, Kangaroo Vine, Lipstick Plant, Maidenhair Fern, Petunia, Prayer Plant, Prickly Pear Cactus, True Bamboo, True Jasmine, and Zinnia) are not verified yet: no known toxicity has been reported, but no vet, poison-control or university source confirms they are safe, so they are listed in a separate section at the bottom, not above.
- African Violet Saintpaulia ionanthaNon-toxic.
- Air Plant Tillandsia spp.Non-toxic.
- Areca Palm Dypsis lutescensNon-toxic.
- Avocado Persea americanaNon-toxic to dogs and cats according to Pet Poison Helpline, and PetMD veterinarians call the flesh low risk.
- Baby's Tears Soleirolia soleiroliiNon-toxic.
- Basil Ocimum basilicumNon-toxic: a safe culinary herb to share in small amounts or let a plant-nibbling pet explore.
- Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltataNon-toxic.
- Burro's Tail Sedum morganianumNon-toxic.
- Calathea Calathea spp.Non-toxic.
- Camellia Camellia japonicaNon-toxic: a safe flowering shrub for gardens with pets.
- Canna Lily Canna x generalisNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Canna Lily (Canna × generalis) as non-toxic.
- Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatiorNon-toxic.
- Chinese Money Plant Pilea peperomioidesNon-toxic.
- Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera spp.Non-toxic.
- Cilantro Coriandrum sativumNon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
- Coral Bells Heuchera sanguineaNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) as non-toxic.
- Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indicaNon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: a pet-safe flowering landscape tree.
- Crimson Bottlebrush Callistemon citrinusNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) as non-toxic.
- Echeveria Echeveria spp.Non-toxic.
- Fatsia Fatsia japonicaNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Fatsia (Fatsia japonica) as non-toxic.
- Fittonia Fittonia albivenisNon-toxic.
- Forsythia Forsythia spp.Non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: one of the safer early-spring flowering shrubs to have around pets.
- Freesia Freesia spp.Non-toxic: a fragrant bouquet flower safe for both dogs and cats, unlike true lilies which are frequently mixed into the same arrangements and are deadly to cats.
- Friendship Plant Pilea involucrataNon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: a safe trailing houseplant with no known toxic principle.
- Gerbera Gerbera jamesoniiNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) as non-toxic.
- Ghost Plant Graptopetalum paraguayenseNon-toxic.
- Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacumNon-toxic: a safe bulb-flower choice, unlike many other spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, true hyacinths) that are genuinely dangerous.
- Grape Ivy Cissus rhombifoliaNon-toxic, despite the 'ivy' name: unrelated to true toxic Hedera ivy.
- Haworthia Haworthia spp.Non-toxic.
- Hollyhock Alcea roseaNon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
- Hoya Hoya carnosaNon-toxic.
- Ixora Ixora coccineaNon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: no toxic principle identified for this common tropical shrub.
- Japanese Pittosporum Pittosporum tobiraNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) as non-toxic.
- Kentia Palm Howea forsterianaNon-toxic.
- Liriope Liriope muscariNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Liriope (Liriope muscari) as non-toxic.
- Living Stones Lithops spp.Non-toxic.
- Majesty Palm Ravenea rivularisNon-toxic.
- Money Tree Pachira aquaticaNon-toxic.
- Moss Phlox Phlox subulataNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) as non-toxic.
- Nasturtium Tropaeolum majusNon-toxic: flowers and leaves are even edible for people (peppery flavor).
- Orchid Phalaenopsis spp.Non-toxic.
- Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifoliumNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as non-toxic.
- Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloanaNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) as non-toxic.
- Pansy Viola x wittrockianaNon-toxic: the flowers are even edible for people and used as cake/salad garnish.
- Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegansNon-toxic.
- Peperomia Peperomia obtusifoliaNon-toxic.
- Peruvian Lily Alstroemeria spp.Non-toxic despite the common name: Alstroemeria is not a true lily (Lilium) and carries none of the kidney-failure risk that makes true lilies deadly to cats.
- Pincushion Cactus Mammillaria spp.Non-toxic: ASPCA confirms Mammillaria fragilis (Thimble Cactus) is chemically safe for dogs, cats, and horses.
- Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachyaNon-toxic.
- Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvataNon-toxic, despite not being a true palm.
- Pot Marigold Calendula officinalisNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) as non-toxic.
- Rabbit's Foot Fern Davallia fejeensisNon-toxic.
- Red Maple Acer rubrumNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Red Maple (Acer rubrum) as non-toxic.
- Rose Rosa spp.Non-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacusNon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses per ASPCA.
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinusNon-toxic.
- Sage Salvia officinalisNon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majusNon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
- Spider Flower Cleome hasslerianaNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana) as non-toxic.
- Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosumConsidered non-toxic.
- Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoidesNon-toxic: despite 'jasmine' in the name, this is genus Trachelospermum, unrelated to true Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) or the toxic Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
- Star Magnolia Magnolia stellataNon-toxic to dogs and cats: ASPCA lists Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) as non-toxic.
- Statice Limonium sinuatumNon-toxic: a common dried-flower and bouquet filler that's safe around pets, though eating a large quantity of any plant material can cause mild stomach upset.
- String of Turtles Peperomia prostrataNon-toxic: Peperomia genus is considered pet-safe.
- Sunflower Helianthus annuusNon-toxic.
- Swedish Ivy Plectranthus verticillatusNon-toxic, despite the 'ivy' name: unrelated to true toxic Hedera ivy.
- Thyme Thymus vulgarisNon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
- Venus Flytrap Dionaea muscipulaNon-toxic.
Not verified yet 19
No known toxicity has been reported for these plants, but no vet, poison-control or university source confirms they are safe, so Plant Doctor does not list them as safe. Ask your vet if your pet eats one.
- Bamboo Palm Chamaedorea seifriziiNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Banana Plant Musa spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium nidusNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Bougainvillea Bougainvillea spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Bromeliad Guzmania spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Cretan Brake Fern Pteris creticaNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Ctenanthe Ctenanthe spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Elephant Bush Portulacaria afraNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensisNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Impatiens Impatiens wallerianaNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Kangaroo Vine Cissus antarcticaNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Lipstick Plant Aeschynanthus radicansNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Maidenhair Fern Adiantum spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Petunia Petunia x hybridaNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeuraNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia spp.Not verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- True Bamboo Bambusa vulgarisNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- True Jasmine Jasminum officinaleNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
- Zinnia Zinnia elegansNot verified: no known toxicity reported, but no vet or poison-control source confirms it.
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Frequently asked questions
Which houseplants are safe for both cats and dogs?
68 plants in Plant Doctor's list are classified non-toxic to both, including Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Parlor Palm, and African Violet. The full list is on this page.
Does pet-safe mean my pet can eat the plant?
Safe means non-toxic, not edible. A curious nibble is not a concern, but heavy grazing on any houseplant can still upset a stomach.
Where does this list come from?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control classifications, plus named veterinary sources where ASPCA has no entry. Curated August 2026. Absence from the list means unverified, never safe.
Why are some plants listed as not verified?
A plant is listed as safe only if at least one reputable vet, poison-control or university source supports it. Bamboo Palm, Banana Plant, Bird's Nest Fern, Bougainvillea, Bromeliad, Cretan Brake Fern, Ctenanthe, Elephant Bush, Hibiscus, Impatiens, Kangaroo Vine, Lipstick Plant, Maidenhair Fern, Petunia, Prayer Plant, Prickly Pear Cactus, True Bamboo, True Jasmine, and Zinnia have no known toxicity reported, but no such source confirms them, so Plant Doctor marks them NOT VERIFIED instead of safe. Ask your vet if your pet eats one.
Is a plant that is not on this list pet-safe?
Not automatically. Plant Doctor's list is not exhaustive and is conservative by design: a plant that is not on it is unverified, never assumed safe. Check with your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435).
More plant lists
Always confirm with a veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) before assuming safety. This is a household reference, not a substitute for professional guidance in a suspected poisoning.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control classifications, plus named veterinary sources where ASPCA has no entry. Curated August 2026.
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