Hey, hi, hello! Today I am here to share with you pet-friendly house plants! Being a plant mama is all the rage these days, as plants make for beautiful decorating pieces and have many proven health benefits. Research has shown that having plants in your home reduces stress and increases productivity. Additionally, humans have an innate desire to be outside and to connect with nature. By bringing plants inside of your home, this desire is somewhat fulfilled- even if you’re watching Netflix, writing a paper, or scrolling on Instagram. Plants also purify the air and reduce toxins. Another cool thing is that they naturally produce humidity, which is helpful during the extremely dry Winter months.

So all of this sounds great, right? And you’ve been eyeing that fiddle fig in your friend’s place for months. But there’s one big problem: you have pets.

I used to think that I could never have plants in my home because I have cats. Not just one, two cats. And we all know that cats are notorious for their curiosity, which often leads them to eat any plants one may have. And if the plant they choose to eat is toxic to them, there’s going to be a major issue.

But there is hope, my pet and plant lovers. You can have both! You can have it all! There are pet-friendly house plants out there! While the popular monstera, fiddle fig, and rubber tree aren’t safe for your pets, there are many lovely plants that are. And they will add just as much color and life to your home. Here is a list of my favorites.

A huge thank you to Jamie Sanidad for all the photos in this post!! Mwah!

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The spider plant is cute, unique, and safe for cats and dogs. It is considered one of the easiest plants to grow and most adaptable. As the spider plant grows, it sprouts mini “spiderettes” that dangle down from the “mother” plant. You can place a spiderette (while still attached to the large plant) into a pot with soil and cut it from the mother plant when it grows roots. And then you will have two of these guys!

The only problem with spider plants is that the mini babies it sprouts grow downward. This can be extremely tempting for cats, as it looks like a really awesome toy. Consider putting your spider plant in a hanging basket and place it up high to keep your cats from munching.

2. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

The prayer plant is one of my personal favorites. The leaves are gorgeous, usually with red or lime green veins. The reason why this guy is called a prayer plant is because it’s leaves fold upward at night into a huddle to “sleep”! I think this is the cutest, most fascinating thing.

These plants love shaded areas, so they are good for homes and apartments that don’t get as much natural light. They also like humid air, so you have to be careful with them during colder months. It was a huge relief to learn that one of my favorite plants is 100% safe for cats and dogs.

3. Peperomia

Most of the plants that I own are different peperomias! They are one of my favorite pet-friendly house plants for sure. There are tons of different varieties of peperomia out there, including: baby rubber plant, watermelon peperomia, metallic peperomia, red ripple peperomia, pixie peperomia… the list goes on and on! I have found that my peperomias are extremely easy to grow and care for. My watermelon is thriving and he’s the first houseplant I ever bought. They only need medium light and very little water. So if you forget about these guys, it’s no biggie! Peperomias have thick, succulent-like leaves that makes them easy to propagate as well. They’re extremely nice, low-maintenance plants that are completely non-toxic for your furry friends.

4. Succulents

Burro’s tail, hawthoria, and echeveria are some succulents that are safe for pets. While there are many varieties of succulents that are non-toxic, but there are plenty that you must avoid. Some of these toxic succulents are: aloe vera, snake plant, string of pearls, jade plant, klanachoes, and euphorbias.

Succulents are very pretty mini plants that require little maintenance, but make sure you research what kind of succulent you are buying before you bring it home to your fuzzies.

5. Palms

Almost all palms are safe for cats and dogs. The safe ones include the ponytail palm, parlor palm (shown in the photo above), areca palm, and majesty palm. Avoid the sago palm at all costs! It is one of the most dangerous plants for pets! Also avoid dracaena plants. They are not labelled as palms, but look similar to them and are very toxic.

Palms are super fun to have, but like the spider plant, they are cat magnets! No matter how good your cat is, they will probably obliterate your pretty palm plant. They’re super stringy and taste like grass, which is bound to attract cats. So, be sure to put your palm somewhere your cat can’t easily access or it’ll be doomed.

6. Ferns

Boston, staghorn, maidenhair, bird’s nest, and rabbit foot ferns are safe for pets. However, the asparagus fern (also known as emerald, lace, or plumosa) is toxic and the berries are very poisonous.

Ferns vary in the type of maintenance they need. They are also a very tempting plant for cats and should be hung up high, just out of reach.

Side note, if your pet will not leave your plant alone or is exhibiting some other naughty sort of behavior, make sure you are giving them plenty of playtime throughout the day. You can also spray the leaves with a mixture of vinegar and water to discourage your pets from having a little snacktime.

And there you have it! You are officially a plant and pet parent!! Now it’s time to develop your green thumb. Let me know if you have any questions about caring for houseplants. Who knows, maybe that’ll be my next blog post! And while you’re here, check out some ways you can naturally improve your sleep. Plants can help turn your bedroom into a sanctuary. Thank you for reading, xo. And let me know what your favorite pet-friendly house plants are in the comments!

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