If you have a cat or dog that likes to chew on leaves, you've probably worried about whether your houseplants are safe. Some common plants — pothos, peace lily, philodendron, snake plant — are toxic to pets. The good news: there are plenty of beautiful, easy plants that are completely non-toxic. I've had cats my whole life and I've spent years figuring out which plants I can keep without worrying about a midnight leaf snack.
Here are the 10 I'd actually keep, with honest expectations about what they need.
Many popular houseplants contain calcium oxalate crystals or other compounds that cause vomiting, drooling, and oral irritation in cats and dogs. Pothos, peace lily, philodendron, dieffenbachia, snake plant, ZZ plant, and sago palm are all toxic. Sago palm is especially dangerous — even small amounts can cause liver failure in dogs.
The ASPCA has a searchable database of toxic and non-toxic plants. Before you buy any plant, check it. And if your pet has already eaten something you're not sure about, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.
Chlorophytum comosum is the plant with the arching, grass-like leaves that produces "babies" (small plantlets on long stems). It's non-toxic to cats and dogs, easy to care for, and it tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light), water when the top inch of soil is dry, average humidity. It's sensitive to fluoride in tap water (causes brown leaf tips) — use filtered water or let tap water sit overnight. The babies can be potted or left to hang.
Why it's great: non-toxic, easy, produces babies, and it's one of the few plants that tolerates low light without looking sad. Cats love to bat at the babies — it's like a built-in cat toy that's safe for both of you.
Chamaedorea elegans is the small, graceful palm with the thin, arching fronds. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs, it tolerates low light, and it's one of the few palms that doesn't hate indoor air. It grows slowly, stays compact, and it looks good in any room.
Care: low to bright indirect light (no direct sun — it burns the fronds), water when the top inch of soil is dry, average humidity. It's sensitive to fluoride and salt buildup (causes brown frond tips) — use filtered water and flush the soil every few months.
Why it's great: non-toxic, tolerates low light, and it's one of the few palms that doesn't drop fronds if you look at it wrong. The downside: it's sensitive to water quality, and it can get spider mites if the air is too dry.
Calatheas (now technically Goeppertia) are the plants with the patterned leaves — stripes, spots, and undersides in purple or red. They're non-toxic to cats and dogs, and they're stunning. But they're dramatic — they need high humidity (60%+), consistently moist soil, and low light.
Care: low to bright indirect light (no direct sun — it fades the patterns), keep soil consistently moist (not soggy), high humidity (60%+). Use filtered water or let tap water sit overnight (they're sensitive to fluoride and chlorine). The leaves fold up at night (nyctinasty) — that's normal, not a sign of stress.
Why it's great: non-toxic, beautiful, and it's one of the most striking plants you can grow. The downside: it's dramatic, it's sensitive to water quality, and it's not forgiving if the humidity drops.
Peperomia is a large genus with many varieties — 'Watermelon' (striped like a watermelon rind), 'Obtusifolia' (thick, glossy leaves), 'Ripple' (textured leaves). They're non-toxic to cats and dogs, they're compact, and they're easy. They tolerate low light, missed waterings, and they don't grow too big.
Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light), water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, average humidity. They're semi-succulent, so they store water in their leaves — overwatering kills them faster than underwatering.
Why it's great: non-toxic, compact, easy, and they come in many varieties. The downside: they're not as dramatic as a calathea or fern, and they can get mealybugs if you're not careful.
Chamaedorea seifrizii is the palm with the thin, arching fronds that looks like a mini bamboo grove. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs, it tolerates low light, and it's one of the few palms that doesn't hate indoor air. It needs average to high humidity, so it's a good choice for bathrooms or kitchens.
Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light), water when the top inch of soil is dry, average to high humidity. It's sensitive to fluoride and salt buildup — use filtered water and flush the soil every few months.
Why it's great: non-toxic, tolerates low light, adds humidity, and it's one of the few palms that looks good in a corner. The downside: it can get spider mites if the air is too dry, and it's sensitive to water quality.
Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It looks delicate, but it's surprisingly easy if you give it the right conditions. It needs bright indirect light, infrequent watering (every 7–10 days, let the bark dry out), and high humidity (50%+). It blooms for 2–3 months, then rests, then blooms again.
Care: bright indirect light (no direct sun), water every 7–10 days (soak the bark, then let it dry), high humidity (50%+). Use orchid bark, not potting soil.
Why it's great: non-toxic, beautiful flowers, and it's one of the few flowering plants that's safe for pets. The downside: it needs bright light (most rooms don't have enough), and it's not forgiving if you overwater it.
Tillandsia (air plants) are non-toxic to cats and dogs. They don't need soil — they absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves. They're small, they're quirky, and they can be mounted on anything (driftwood, shells, wire). But they need bright indirect light and regular soaking.
Care: bright indirect light, soak in water for 20–30 minutes every 1–2 weeks, then shake off excess water and let them dry upside down (water pools in the base and causes rot). Average to high humidity.
Why it's great: non-toxic, no soil needed, and they're one of the most unique plants you can grow. The downside: they need regular soaking, and they're not forgiving if you forget.
Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant) is the plant with the patterned leaves that fold up at night like hands in prayer. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs, and it's one of the most interactive plants you can grow. It needs high humidity and consistently moist soil, but it's worth it for the nightly show.
Care: low to bright indirect light (no direct sun), keep soil consistently moist (not soggy), high humidity (60%+). Use filtered water or let tap water sit overnight.
Why it's great: non-toxic, the leaves move (kids love it), and it's one of the most beautiful plants you can grow. The downside: it's dramatic, it's sensitive to water quality, and it's not forgiving if the humidity drops.
Haworthia is the small, rosette-shaped succulent with the white stripes or spots. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs (unlike aloe vera, which is toxic). It needs bright light and infrequent watering — it's one of the few succulents that's safe for pets.
Care: bright direct light (at least 4–6 hours), water every 2–3 weeks (soak and dry method), well-draining soil (cactus mix + extra perlite). Overwatering kills it quickly.
Why it's great: non-toxic, compact, easy, and it's one of the few succulents that's safe for pets. The downside: it needs bright light, and it's not as dramatic as a larger plant.
Nephrolepis exaltata is the classic fern with the arching, feathery fronds. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs, it loves humidity, and it's one of the few plants that looks good hanging in a bathroom. But it's high-maintenance — it needs consistently moist soil and high humidity (60%+).
Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light), keep soil consistently moist (not soggy), high humidity (60%+). Mist daily or use a pebble tray.
Why it's great: non-toxic, beautiful, and it's one of the few plants that loves the bathroom. The downside: it's high-maintenance, it drops fronds, and it's not forgiving if you miss a watering.
If you have pets, the safest approach is to check every plant before you bring it home. The ASPCA has a searchable database of toxic and non-toxic plants. Spider plant, parlor palm, and peperomia are the safest bets — they're non-toxic, easy, and they tolerate a wide range of conditions. And if you're not sure how often to water them, my watering calculator builds a schedule based on your plant type, pot size, and light conditions.
I've had cats my whole life and I've spent years figuring out which plants are safe. This site is one person writing about plants — not a nursery, just what actually worked.