9 Dog-Safe Houseplants for Your Pet-Friendly Indoor Garden

banana tree — Photo:
imageBROKER/Robert Poorten/Getty Images

In many ways, pets and plants are pretty alike. They both bring life and vitality into your home, infusing every corner with a playful energy that’s hard to ignore. But they’re also often at odds with one another, and some plants just do not jive with cats, dogs, and other pets in the home.

If you’re a pet parent, you’ve probably come home to a soil-strewn living room at least once as a result of your cat going at the succulents. But the danger goes far beyond a bit of mess—certain plants are poisonous if ingested by animals, leading to severe illness and even death.

If you’re a pet parent (and plant lover) looking for a good middle-ground option that will thrive indoors without the risk of harming your pet, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’re rounding up 10 popular indoor plant options that will flourish in your living room or kitchen while keeping your curious pup safe—even if they choose to take a nibble.

01 of 09

Pygmy Date Palm

Phoenix roebelenii palm in planter container — Sbrun21/Getty Images

Craving a vacation? A pygmy date palm—also sometimes referred to as a parlor palm—will bring a tropical vibe to your home and is particularly well-suited to sunny spots like an enclosed porch. This warm-weather lover is easy to care for and will grow to be between 6 and 12 feet tall, depending on how often you prune it. Bonus: If you live in USDA hardiness zones 10 or 11, you can even keep this plant on an outdoor porch or deck.

02 of 09

Calathea Plant

When it comes to adding color and pattern to your space, nothing comes close to the charm of a Calathea plant. These beauties often go by the nickname “prayer plant” because they lower their leaves throughout the day and fold up at night and come in a variety of vibrant colors, such as red, pink, burgundy, and purple.

03 of 09

Maidenhair Fern

There’s something about ferns that is so whimsical, lending a charming cottagecore vibe to every nook and cranny. These wispy plants need a little extra love to thrive, so plan to place them somewhere in your home that boasts low light and high humidity (like a bathroom). Love the look? You can also safely bring home a variety of other ferns, like the Boston fern, Staghorn fern, sword fern, and button fern.

04 of 09

Hibiscus Tree

It can be tough to find flowers that thrive indoors, but it’s not impossible. The good news? Hibiscus trees are exactly what you’re looking for and—bonus!—they’re pet-friendly. These petite plants are actually shrubs, with a manageable size that makes them fit for indoor or outdoor use. Warning: Hibiscus trees can be a bit particular, but treat them right and they’ll reward you with salad plate-sized blooms in a variety of tropical shades.

05 of 09

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides — Dmitrii Marchenko/Getty Images

A Chinese money plant may not bring an actual windfall of cash to your front door (though they are thought to bring good fortune in Feng Shui!), but it will certainly up the uniqueness of your interior. This quirky greenie boasts funky “antennae” that spouts off in all different directions, each topped with a saucer-like round leaf.

06 of 09

Banana Tree

If drama is what you’re after, look no further than a banana tree. Available in a range of sizes (including dwarf and standard varietals), this sprawling tropical is known for its signature oar-shaped leaves, which grow from long-reaching stems, allowing it to easily fill an empty corner. Don’t worry, though, indoor banana trees rarely produce fruit, so there’s no reason that your pup would come looking for a snack among its branches.

07 of 09

Succulents

Is taking care of a pet enough work for you as it is? Don’t add to your to-do list with your plant selection! Succulents are about as worry-free as it gets, requiring minimal watering just once or twice a month. You have your pick of pretty much any varietal, so feel free to mix and match to get your favorite look—just avoid kalanchoe and euphorbia succulents, which can actually be harmful to both pets and humans.

08 of 09

Rubber Plant

With a modest size and ample options for variegation, rubber plants are a great option no matter what your home decor style skews for. Even better, they’re not overly large, so if you want to style them on a shelf, counter, or anywhere else out of the reach of your pet, you can easily do so (though they’re still harmless!).

09 of 09

Orchids

There’s no better way to add a feminine touch to your home than with an orchid. This classic bloom is beloved for its elegant shape, easy care requirements, and long-lasting blooms, which stay on the plant for months at a time. Worried about overwatering your orchid? Simply add an ice cub atop the wood chips or moss at the base of the plant once a week to nail the watering cadence.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!