One of the most popular question I get asked in the shop, "Is this toxic to my cat?" I have always had older dogs in my life, ones that never cared about plants. But when my husband and I brought a 4-month-old puppy into our house, my thought process changed to "OMG a ton of my houseplants are toxic to him!"
So to ease your mind, and a trip to the vet, I compiled this list of pet-friendly houseplants that I carry more regularly in the shop that are safe if your little buddy gets to chomping.
1.) CALATHEA
Calatheas are extremely beautiful plants but they can be a bit tricky to master. Some varieties include the Rattlesnake, Orbifolia, Pinstripe, Dottie and more. If you're new to caring for Calatheas, consider reading my more in-depth Calathea care blog post here.
2.) STROMANTHE
Stromanthe are sisters to the Calathea, they live under the same family Marantaceae, as the Calathea. So the care habits of a Stromanthe would be very similar to those of a Calathea or Maranta. Varieties of the Stromanthe include the Triostar, Magic Star and Sanguinea.
3.) Which leads me to number 3... MARANTA
Still within the Marantaceae family, the Maranta is a non-toxic houseplant that is a tad lower in maintenance than its sisters. Varieties include the green, red or variegated marantas. These plants are also nicknamed Prayer Plants.
4.) PONYTAIL PALM
Ponytail Palms are a relatively easy houseplant that are quite drought-tolerant. These cute and funky plants are good to add to your home if you're looking for a tropical vibe because of their long strappy leaves. (FYI: All palms are considered pet-friendly, not just ponytail)
5.) SPIDER PLANT
Spider plants are great because they are relatively easy to care for, grow at a fast speed and even produce runners that have little pups on the ends! Easy plant + free babies for propagation = win!
6.) FERNS
All ferns are considered non-toxic, making them a perfect choice for your home. Ferns add a sense of lushness to your space. Just make sure you water it enough and give it a boost of humidity every now and again.
7.) AFRICAN VIOLET
Sometimes in a sea of green, it's nice to add a pop of color. That is exactly what African Violets do when they're in bloom. Since they can bloom fairly often, consider fertilizing them with a high phosphorus fertilizer.
8.) PEPEROMIA
Peperomia's were actually named 2022's Houseplant of the Year because of their easy care and adorable growth pattern. Varieties include the Marble Peperomia, Green, Watermelon, Ripple and many, many more.
9.) HOYA
Can I get a HoYAaAaaAaAa?! Hoyas are extremely beautiful houseplants that can bloom an array of exciting and gorgeous star-cluster flowers. Popular varieties include the Krimson Queen, Tricolor, Chelsea, Burtoniae, Linearis and so many more. Fun fact: Hoyas are a genus comprised of over 450 different varieties!
10.) PILEA
These cute alien-shaped plants are absolutely adorable and are easy to care for as well. Sometimes nicknamed the Chinese Money Plant, Pileas are completely non-toxic to your furry friends.
11.) STRING OF HEARTS
A trailing cutie for your sunny window space. The String of Hearts is a heart-shaped vine that is perfectly okay if your cat or dog consumes any of it.
12.) HOLIDAY CACTUS
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter... whatever they're labeled, Holiday Cacti are all non-toxic. Your grandma was onto something when it came to houseplants from the 70s 😊.
13.) POLKA DOT PLANT / FITTONIA
If you're looking for something super small and cute, look no further than a little polka dot to bring some color to your desk or countertop. These also work really well inside terrariums.
14.) TILLANDSIA / AIR PLANTS
The last plant in my list holds a special place in my heart. Air plants are truly so special! Hang them, display them, sit them in a fun bowl, they're very versatile and unique. And the best thing, they won't be an issue to your furry best friend.
SHOP MY PET FRIENDLY COLLECTION HERE >>
P.S. If you are interested in a more thorough list of pet-friendly houseplants, check out the ASPCA website.