Worry-Free Plants That Won’t Poison Your Pets

updated May 3, 2019
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(Image credit: Bethany Robertson)

We love our pets, even when they are annoying little troublemakers. So when our furry friends start munching on our plants and digging around in the dirt, it’s our job to keep them safe (even when we want to strangle them). Being the human in the relationship means doing the research and only populating our homes with non-toxic varieties of plants. We’re making it easy for you.

Below are some of our favorite pet-safe plants that are non-toxic for both dogs and cats. To get the full list of safe and harmful varieties, visit the ASPCA’s plant database.

This pretty indoor house palm is widely available, easy to grow, and its lush foliage will have you dreaming of tropical climates all year round. They are great when you want a relaxed, casual vibe for your home’s interior. It can reach dramatic heights, but a smaller pot will restrict growth if you want something smaller.

These delicate, lacy beauties are quite picky when it comes to their growing conditions but, as long as you know that there’s no fooling around when it comes to meeting its needs, this fern will reward you with gorgeous foliage. Your pets will thank you while they munch on its fronds.

If you are looking for a new plant hero to transform your interior, without demanding too much of your time, consider one of these dark green rock stars. You can either keep them on the smaller side, or encourage them to grow into beautiful indoor trees. They can grow to impressive heights within a few years — especially if you put them outside during the summer —transforming into an amazing focal point for your interior.

These voluminous plants are interior classics for a reason, earning their decades of popularity by being one of the easiest ferns to care for and maintain. Keep your fern hanging in a steamy bathroom and watch it thrive. It’s one of your best bets for a jungalow vibe at home.

These distinctive-looking variegated plants look amazing when hung up, which makes them a great choice for small spaces. These tolerant plants are easy to grow and propagate, and look great even without a 70s style macramé holder. Still popular after years, they are also non-toxic — a solid and safe way to add visual interest to a room.

If you’re running short on surfaces to place a plant, but want the foliage and air-cleaning benefits that our green friends provide, consider a staghorn fern. Antler-like fronds shoot out of these funky ferns. When mounted on wooden plaques, they make the most of any vertical space. Plus they double as dramatic and sculptural wall art.

Still need help finding the right plant for you? Keep exploring your options:

→ Apartment Therapy’s Ultimate Plant Picker for Less-Than Perfect People & Places