A lover of both plants and pets? Look no further, we have compiled a list just for you of the best cat, dog and pet safe plants to have around your furry friends. Unfortunately some plants can be toxic to animals and if your curious pet takes a nibble out of these plants this can lead to irritation, drooling, and digestive issues. Why take the risk? Check out our complete collection of pet friendly indoor plants.
Below you will find a list of plants that we sell that are perfect for keeping your furry friends safe while also adding that bit of greenery to your life!
1. Calathea Varieties (Goeppertia)
All types of Calathea varieties are pet safe. With their stunning foliage and endless varieties to choose from (over 200!) The Goeppertia is a must have for any plant lover. From green patterned foliage, to brighter coloured varieties such as the ‘Fusion White’, Medallion and Makoyana (peacock).
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: This plant has easy-moderate care needs. Correct humidity and light levels are key to success with this genus.
- Light requirements: Medium to bright indirect light, a few feet from an east or west-facing window is best.
- Watering: Keep their soil moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil has dried out slightly. Prefer to be watered with rainwater.
- Humidity: Geoppertias love humidity. A lack of humidity can cause crispy leaf edges.
We stock a wide variety of Goeppertia syn. Calathea Plants including the popular Goeppertia zebrina syn. Calathea zebrina (Zebra Plant/ Prayer Plant), Goeppertia rufibarba syn. Calathea rufibarba (Velvet Calathea) and more!
2. Maranta Varieties (Prayer plant)
Not only does this genus of plants have beautiful foliage but it’s also pet safe. Varieties include ‘Fascinator’, ‘Lemon Lime’, ‘Silver band’ and 'Kerchoveana' prayer plants. It is known for its nyctinastic behaviour, which is where the leaves fold upwards at night and is the reason for it being referred to as the ‘prayer plant’.
Much like Goeppertias (or Calatheas, if you prefer using that name) there is many options to choose from in the Maranta family, from green on green foliage, to ones with cream variegation and even the ‘Fascinator’ which has striking red striped foliage. Marantas are also slightly easier to care for than the Goeppertia genus.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: This plant has easy-moderate care needs.
- Light requirements: Bright indirect to semi shade, avoid direct sunlight
- Watering: Keep their soil moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil has dried out slightly. Prefer to be watered with rainwater.
- Humidity: Marantas love humidity. A lack of humidity can cause crispy leaf edges.
3. Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
Another pet friendly plant is the pilea peperomioides, commonly known as a ‘Chinese Money plant’. A fast grower that has round smooth leaves branching from one main stem, giving the appearance of stacked coins.
This plant is very easy to propagate and can be potted up and shared with friends – hence why it is also known as the pass-it-on plant! Share the love and pass on to friends with pets!
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Very easy!
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant every week or so, to prevent it from leaning towards the light.
- Watering: Water roughly once a week in summer, allowing the top of the soil to dry out a little between waterings.
- Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity.
If you need a bit more help we have a detailed Chinese Money Plant Care Guide: Expert Tips for Pilea peperomioides with further information on how to keep your plants happy and thriving!
4. Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts)
Want a hanging plant that's safe for your pets? Then a string of hearts is for you. This succulent plant looks gorgeous draping off a shelf or even in a macramé hanger! Long, wiry stems can grow to lengths exceeding 60cm.
Well known for its delicate heart shaped leaves that are dark green in colour with silvery patterns, there is also now a Variegated String of Hearts variety on the market.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Easy!
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light. Some direct early morning or evening sun can be beneficial.
- Watering: Let soil dry out between waterings and then water thoroughly. This plant is drought tolerant.
- Humidity: Does well in average household conditons.
5. Dypsis lutescens (Areca palm/Butterfly palm)
This statement palm will be the perfect addition to your home and also safe around your pets. This easy care plant has many stems which produce beautiful green arching foliage. This can be tempting for a playful pet so it will give you peace of mind to know this won't harm them.
Available in a variety of sizes from small desk plants to ones over 2 metres in height.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: An easy care plant
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Water roughly once a week in summer, allowing the top of the soil to dry out a little between waterings
- Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity to avoid browning tips
6. Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour palm)
The Chamaedorea elegans is another species of palm that is a great option for homes with pets. This upright plant with luscious foliage was hugely popular in Victorian times for its easy requirements and care. Tolerant of a fair amount of abuse these guys can get huge if cared for correctly!
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: An easy care plant
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Water roughly once a week in summer, allowing the top of the soil to dry out a little between waterings
- Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity to avoid tips going brown
7. Haworthia Varieties
Although similar in appearance to an aloe, all types of haworthias are non toxic to pets. There are many varieties to choose from making it a great low maintenance addition to your collection.
These small succulents grow to around 3 to 5 inches tall. One of the most popular varieties is the 'Zebra' Haworthia, which has dark green leaves with white ridges. Haworthia often produce offsets or ‘pups’ which can be separated to grow your collection or left with the mother plant to create a fuller appearance.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: An easy care plant
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Water once the soil has dried out completely
- Humidity: No need for extra humidity but will like good ventilation
8. Fittonia varieties (Nerve plant / Mosaic plant)
Fittonia have beautiful patterned leaves, come in a range of colours often pink and white and are popular among terrarium enthusiasts and tropical plant lovers. Known as a nerve plant due to its detailed veiny leaves.
Good news, this is also pet friendly! A great plant if you're looking for something small and compact. Alternatively pop it in a closed terrarium where it gets a lot of humidity and will be safe from the paws of your pup!
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Has moderately easy care needs
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade.
- Watering: Water once the top inch of soil has dried out
- Humidity: Thrive in humidity, will enjoy being inside a terrarium
9. Pachira Aquatica (Guiana Chestnut/Money Tree)
With many common names, and known well for its eye-catching plaited trunk, the Pachira Aquatica is a popular choice for pet owners and plant lovers. The trunk, whether plaited or chunky, is topped with large green ribbed leaves that grow in a star formation.
It is rumoured that the Pachira Aquatica plant brings good fortune and prosperity into your house but is also safe for pets if they decide to have a nibble! When cared for correctly (which is considered to be easy) it can grow to larger sizes and become a statement piece in the home.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Has easy care needs
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade.
- Watering: Water once the top 2 inch of soil has dried out
- Humidity: Thrives in increased humidity
10. Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
Probably one of the most sought after plants on the list, due to its easy care is the classic Spider plant. With around 200 varieties you’re certainly not stuck for choice with the Chlorophytum. Appearance depends on the variety but they are commonly known for their slender, variegated leaves with white stripes.
The plants can send out ‘runners’, or longer stems, from which tiny white flowers can bloom and the produce ‘pups’/ baby spider plants that can easily be propagated.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Has easy care needs
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Water once the top 2 inch of soil has dried out
- Humidity: Likes increased humidity but can tolerate average household conditions
If you already have all of the above or fancy something else we have a wide variety of cat, dog and pet-friendly houseplants here in our collection - happy planting!
