safe plants

Plants you can actually bring home.

The rest of this site tells you what to avoid. This page answers the happier question. Every plant below is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, and none of them appear in our toxic database.

A note before you shop: "non-toxic" means a nibble should not cause serious harm. It does not mean a plant is food. Any plant can upset a stomach in quantity, and individual animals vary. This list covers cats and dogs. Our data for small mammals is thinner, and some famously cat-safe plants are risky for rabbits and rodents. When in doubt, check with your vet.

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

A lush true fern. Safe fronds, unlike many plants sold as ferns.

Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata

Not a true palm. The curly leaves tempt cats and do no harm.

Calathea

Calathea orbifolia

Bold striped foliage. The whole prayer plant family is pet safe.

Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura

Folds its leaves at night. Safe for cats and dogs.

African Violet

Saintpaulia ionantha

Cheerful year-round flowers with no toxic parts.

Zebra Haworthia

Haworthiopsis attenuata

A striped succulent that looks like aloe but is safe, unlike aloe.

Echeveria

Echeveria elegans

Rosette succulents that are safe, unlike jade plants.

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Holiday bloomer with soft spineless pads.

Moth Orchid

Phalaenopsis spp.

Elegant, long blooming and completely pet safe.

Baby Rubber Plant

Peperomia obtusifolia

Not a true rubber plant, which is the point. Safe and glossy.

Watermelon Peperomia

Peperomia argyreia

Striped like a watermelon rind. Safe for nibblers.

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Splashy pink dots, safe for curious paws.

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides

Coin shaped leaves on a very shareable, very safe plant.

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

Nearly indestructible and completely safe.

Money Tree

Pachira aquatica

A braided-trunk tree that is safe for cats and dogs.

Staghorn Fern

Platycerium bifurcatum

A mountable safe fern that doubles as wall art.

Nerve Plant

Fittonia albivenis

Veined leaves in white or pink. Dramatic when thirsty, safe always.

Bromeliad

Guzmania lingulata

Tropical color from a safe, low-fuss family.

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

A kitchen herb that is safe to grow and to share.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

A safe creeping herb for pots and borders.

Want something added or spotted a problem? Let us know. This list only grows when a plant clears both the ASPCA and our own records.