Pet-safe houseplants for cats and dogs, the reliable list

Many popular houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs, sometimes without us knowing. If your pet tends to chew leaves, this list is going to be your reference.

Plants that are genuinely safe

These species are confirmed non-toxic by veterinary references (ASPCA notably).

For the living room

• Calathea (all varieties)
• Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant)
• Pilea peperomioides
• Peperomia (all varieties)
• Howea forsteriana (kentia palm)
• Chamaedorea (parlor palm)
• Chlorophytum (spider plant)

For the bedroom

• Chamaedorea elegans (parlor palm)
• Pilea cadierei (aluminum plant)

For the bathroom

• Asplenium nidus (bird's nest fern)
• Nephrolepis (Boston fern)
• Adiantum (maidenhair fern)

For the more colorful

• Aeschynanthus (lipstick plant)
• Hoya kerrii and other Hoyas

Common but very toxic plants

Avoid these absolutely if you have a chewer:

• Lily, Lilium, Hemerocallis → acute kidney failure in cats (lethal)
• Dieffenbachia → mouth burns, drooling
• Philodendron, Monstera, Pothos → irritation, vomiting (calcium oxalates)
• Peace lily → mouth burns
• Snake plant → vomiting, diarrhea
• Aloe vera → vomiting, lethargy
• Caladium → severe mouth burns
• Ficus → vomiting, skin irritation (latex)
• Yucca → vomiting, weakness
• Cyclamen → vomiting, heart issues (tuber very toxic)
• Azalea → severe cardiac toxicity
• Sago palm → severe liver failure

The top three most dangerous: lilies (lethal for cats even in tiny amounts), sago palm (Cycas revoluta), cyclamen.

Reducing risks with toxic plants

If you really want to keep a toxic plant:

• Place it high: high shelf, hanging basket, mezzanine.
• Spray a natural deterrent: lemon water or diluted vinegar on the leaves, cats hate the smell.
• Offer a substitute: cat grass in an accessible pot, the cat will almost always prefer it.
• Watch closely at first: in the first weeks after introducing a new plant, observe behavior.

What to do if the pet chewed a toxic plant

1. Identify the plant precisely (photo with Plenova if needed).
2. Remove the remaining pieces from the mouth.
3. Call a vet or animal poison hotline (ASPCA Animal Poison Control in the U.S.).
4. Do not induce vomiting without veterinary advice.
5. Watch: symptoms appear within 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the plant.

For lilies and a cat, it is a life-threatening emergency: vet immediately, even with no apparent symptoms.

A perfect starter pet-friendly collection

If you want a beautiful, safe collection, here is a trio that covers most exposures:

• Calathea orbifolia: round spectacular leaves, indirect light.
• Pilea peperomioides: graphic, easy, propagates.
• Chlorophytum comosum: nearly indestructible, makes pups.

Add a couple of ferns and a kentia palm and you have a green, safe interior.

The Plenova reference list

Each species card in Plenova shows its toxicity for pets and for people. Before adding a plant to your collection, you see immediately if it fits your home.

One more plant is often a great idea, but not at the price of an emergency vet trip. The safe list is wide enough that we never run out of options.