Bringing greenery into your home can brighten your living space and improve air quality. However, if you’re a pet owner, it’s crucial to choose plants that are safe for your furry companions. Many popular houseplants can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, leading to health issues ranging from mild discomfort to severe conditions. Fortunately, there are plenty of beautiful and stylish indoor plants that are perfectly safe to have around your pets.
To help you create a pet-friendly indoor garden, we’ve compiled a list of top Pet Safe Indoor Plants. These plants are not only aesthetically pleasing and easy to care for but also non-toxic, ensuring the safety and well-being of your beloved cats and dogs.
1. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Pros:
- Unique and eye-catching coin-shaped foliage
- Easy to propagate and share with friends
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Cons:
- Can grow unevenly if not rotated regularly
The Chinese Money Plant, also known as Pilea peperomioides, is a charming and trendy houseplant that is completely safe for pets. Its distinctive, disc-like leaves add a touch of whimsy to any interior. These plants are relatively low-maintenance and even produce “pups” or baby plants, making them a rewarding choice for plant enthusiasts of all levels.
Care Instructions:
Water your Chinese Money Plant every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings. To encourage even growth, rotate the plant 180 degrees each time you water it, ensuring all sides receive adequate light. They thrive in medium to bright indirect light.
Shop Chinese Money Plant
Leon & George – $89
Public Goods – $22
2. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Pros:
- Symbolizes good luck and prosperity
- Resilient and easy to care for
- Fast-growing with a tree-like appearance
- Safe for cats and dogs
Cons:
- Can become quite large over time
The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is not only believed to bring good fortune but also offers a pet-safe option for adding a touch of greenery to your home. Its distinctive braided trunk and lush, palmate leaves create a miniature tree effect indoors. These plants are known for their hardiness, making them a great choice for both beginner and experienced plant owners looking for pet safe indoor plants.
Care Instructions:
Money Trees are adaptable and forgiving. They thrive in medium to bright indirect light and require watering every 1 to 2 weeks, when the top inch of soil feels dry. They are quite resilient, so a little accidental pet interaction is unlikely to cause significant damage to the plant.
Shop Money Tree
The Bouqs Co. – $64
The Sill – $74
3. Hoya Varieties (Wax Plants)
Pros:
- Diverse range of shapes, sizes, and foliage colors
- Highly resilient and long-lasting
- Pet-friendly and non-toxic
Cons:
- Relatively slow-growing
Hoya plants, often referred to as wax plants due to their waxy leaves, are a beautiful and diverse group of pet safe indoor plants. With numerous varieties available, from heart-shaped leaves to curly or variegated foliage, there’s a hoya to suit every taste and home decor. They are also known for their resilience and ability to tolerate neglect, making them ideal for busy pet owners. All hoya varieties are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Care Instructions:
Hoyas thrive in bright, indirect light, which encourages faster growth and more vibrant leaf colors, especially in variegated types. However, they can also tolerate lower light conditions, requiring less frequent watering in such environments (about once a month). Water when the leaves feel slightly thin and lose their sheen.
Shop Hoya Plants
The Sill – Hoya Carnosa ‘Tricolor’ – $38
Rooted – Hoya ‘Krimson Queen’ – $25
4. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
Pros:
- Striking, wavy foliage with unique patterns
- Clear visual cues for watering needs
Cons:
- Can be sensitive to light and watering inconsistencies
Rattlesnake Plants (Calathea lancifolia) are celebrated for their dramatically patterned, lance-shaped leaves, adding a vibrant, almost tropical touch to indoor spaces. Beyond their visual appeal, they are also considered safe for pets, making them a worry-free choice for homes with cats and dogs. These plants are known to be slightly more demanding in terms of care compared to some other pet safe indoor plants, but their beauty and pet-friendliness make them a worthwhile addition.
Care Instructions:
Rattlesnake Plants prefer bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Water when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. They are sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering, so maintaining a balanced watering schedule is key. Their leaves may curl or droop if they are not getting the right amount of light or water, providing clear signals to adjust their care.
