8 Pet-Friendly Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

10 Non-Toxic House Plants Safe For Cats (and Dogs!)

If you’re a dedicated plant parent who also has a furry family member in your household, you might wonder, “Are plants safe for cats and dogs?” The truth is, there are certain plant species you should keep away from your four-legged companion as they can be toxic when ingested. But the great news is that there are plenty of other choices when it comes to pet-friendly plants. Most pet owners would agree that plants seem to have some sort of magnetic attraction for family pets. Many cats and dogs love to nibble at plant leaves and play with their waving fronds, and some even use them as digging spots for their natural curiosity. Whether you already have a pet or plan on getting one, you can still grow a lush and healthy indoor garden.

In this guide, you’ll find useful tips when shopping for your next leafy housemates, as well as a list of plants that are non-toxic and pet-friendly. Things To Consider When Shopping For Indoor Plants Before we start diving into the topic of which plants are safe for cats and dogs, there are a few things to take into consideration.

Assess Your Space First, take a look around your place to assess how much space you have for plants and what kind of light exposure you can provide. This will help you determine which plants best fit your home environment. While the species on this list are pet-safe plants, you still might not want your pet nibbling at the beautiful leaves of your succulents or using your Boston fern as a wrestling opponent. It might be a good idea to keep your plants in a location where they’re not easily accessible to your dog or cat — and we all know how hard that is when it comes to felines!

Plants to Avoid It’s essential to know that some of the most popular houseplants are not pet-friendly. Here’s a quick list of common indoor plants that are toxic for canines and felines:

• Snake plants

• Pothos

• Lilies

• Rubber plants

• ZZ plants

• Chrysanthemums

• Azaleas

• Tulips

Do a Namecheck One of the most important things to do when choosing a houseplant is to always check both the common name and the scientific name. This is a critical step as some plant families contain similar-looking species. While some species are harmless, others contain natural compounds that are poisonous to your pet — for example, ferns. (We offer more examples throughout the list.)

10 Non-Toxic Plants Safe For Cats and Dogs Keep in mind that even safe plants can cause mild discomfort if your kitty or pooch ingests them. However, the effects should subside relatively quickly and are no reason for concern. If you happen to have an overly plant-obsessed cat, consider growing a couple of trays of cat grass to keep your furry friend entertained and distracted from the other greenery at home. Now, here are the top 10 plants safe for cats and dogs.

1. African Violet The first plant on our list is perfect for bringing a pop of color to small, dark corners as it only grows up to 12 inches tall. African violet (Saintpaulia) — or Cape marigold — is native to the tropical parts of East Africa and is characterized by its beautiful purple and pink-hued flowers. This vibrant plant is not only pet-friendly but it’s also very low-maintenance. It thrives best in low light and benefits from a good, occasional soak. You can add water to the pot’s saucer instead of watering directly at the base of the plant to prevent damage to both petals and leaves. African violets are quite sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so try to keep them in stable conditions throughout the year. These species love good-quality, rich soil, so regular fertilizing might be a good idea to encourage healthy flowering.

2. Blue Echeveria If you’re a sucker for succulents, you’ll be happy to learn that most species belonging to this plant family are pet-friendly.