Plant safety hub

Pet-safe houseplants for homes with cats and dogs 74

74 of the 185 plants in Plant Doctor's dataset are classified non-toxic to both cats and dogs, so one shopping list covers the whole household. Examples: Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Parlor Palm, and African Violet.

In this dataset every plant that is safe for cats is also safe for dogs, so this is the same set as the cat-safe list. The other 111 plants are toxic to at least one of them. Safe means non-toxic, not edible. A curious nibble is not a concern, but heavy grazing on any houseplant can still upset a stomach.

African Violet Saintpaulia ionanthaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Air Plant Tillandsia spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Areca Palm Dypsis lutescensDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Avocado Persea americanaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs and cats: the persin that poisons birds, rabbits, horses, and livestock doesn't have the same effect on dogs or cats.
Baby's Breath Gypsophila paniculataDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic per ASPCA, though as a common bouquet filler flower it can still cause mild vomiting or diarrhea if a pet eats a large amount.
Baby's Tears Soleirolia soleiroliiDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Bamboo Palm Chamaedorea seifriziiDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Banana Plant Musa spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: no part of the banana plant, including fruit and leaves, is known to poison dogs, cats, or horses.
Basil Ocimum basilicumDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a safe culinary herb to share in small amounts or let a plant-nibbling pet explore.
Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium nidusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltataDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Bougainvillea Bougainvillea spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: the thorns are the real hazard, not the plant tissue.
Bromeliad Guzmania spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Burro's Tail Sedum morganianumDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Calathea Calathea spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Camellia Camellia japonicaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a safe flowering shrub for gardens with pets.
Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatiorDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Chinese Money Plant Pilea peperomioidesDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Cilantro Coriandrum sativumDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indicaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: a pet-safe flowering landscape tree.
Cretan Brake Fern Pteris creticaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Ctenanthe Ctenanthe spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: same Marantaceae family as Calathea/Maranta.
Echeveria Echeveria spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Elephant Bush Portulacaria afraDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: often confused with true Jade (Crassula ovata), which IS toxic.
Fittonia Fittonia albivenisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Forsythia Forsythia spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: one of the safer early-spring flowering shrubs to have around pets.
Freesia Freesia spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a fragrant bouquet flower safe for both dogs and cats, unlike true lilies which are frequently mixed into the same arrangements and are deadly to cats.
Friendship Plant Pilea involucrataDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: a safe trailing houseplant with no known toxic principle.
Ghost Plant Graptopetalum paraguayenseDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacumDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a safe bulb-flower choice, unlike many other spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, true hyacinths) that are genuinely dangerous.
Grape Ivy Cissus rhombifoliaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic, despite the 'ivy' name: unrelated to true toxic Hedera ivy.
Haworthia Haworthia spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Hollyhock Alcea roseaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
Hoya Hoya carnosaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Impatiens Impatiens wallerianaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a reliably pet-safe shade annual.
Ixora Ixora coccineaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses: no toxic principle identified for this common tropical shrub.
Kangaroo Vine Cissus antarcticaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic, despite the 'ivy' name: unrelated to true toxic Hedera ivy.
Kentia Palm Howea forsterianaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Lipstick Plant Aeschynanthus radicansDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: ASPCA's confirmed entry is the closely related Aeschynanthus humilis, and no species in this genus is known to pose a chemical risk.
Living Stones Lithops spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Majesty Palm Ravenea rivularisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Money Tree Pachira aquaticaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: flowers and leaves are even edible for people (peppery flavor).
Orchid Phalaenopsis spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Pansy Viola x wittrockianaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: the flowers are even edible for people and used as cake/salad garnish.
Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegansDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Peperomia Peperomia obtusifoliaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Peruvian Lily Alstroemeria spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic despite the common name: Alstroemeria is not a true lily (Lilium) and carries none of the kidney-failure risk that makes true lilies deadly to cats.
Petunia Petunia x hybridaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
Pincushion Cactus Mammillaria spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: ASPCA confirms Mammillaria fragilis (Thimble Cactus) is chemically safe for dogs, cats, and horses.
Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachyaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvataDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic, despite not being a true palm.
Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeuraDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENot toxic, but the fine glochid spines are a real physical hazard: can embed painfully in paws, mouth, and skin.
Rabbit's Foot Fern Davallia fejeensisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Rose Rosa spp.DogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses per ASPCA.
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Sage Salvia officinalisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
Snapdragon Antirrhinum majusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: no toxic principle identified.
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosumDogsSAFECatsSAFEConsidered non-toxic.
Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoidesDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: despite 'jasmine' in the name, this is genus Trachelospermum, unrelated to true Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) or the toxic Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
Statice Limonium sinuatumDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a common dried-flower and bouquet filler that's safe around pets, though eating a large quantity of any plant material can cause mild stomach upset.
String of Turtles Peperomia prostrataDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: Peperomia genus is considered pet-safe.
Sunflower Helianthus annuusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Swedish Ivy Plectranthus verticillatusDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic, despite the 'ivy' name: unrelated to true toxic Hedera ivy.
Thyme Thymus vulgarisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: safe culinary herb for dogs and cats.
True Bamboo Bambusa vulgarisDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: ASPCA's verified entry covers Phyllostachys aurea (Golden/Fishpole Bamboo), but no true bamboo (grass family, genus Bambusa/Phyllostachys) is known to pose a chemical risk.
True Jasmine Jasminum officinaleDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: true Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) is safe for pets.
Venus Flytrap Dionaea muscipulaDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic.
Zinnia Zinnia elegansDogsSAFECatsSAFENon-toxic: a safe, easy cutting-garden flower for homes with pets.

Frequently asked questions

Which houseplants are safe for both cats and dogs?

74 plants in Plant Doctor's list are classified non-toxic to both, including Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Parlor Palm, and African Violet. The full list is on this page.

Does pet-safe mean my pet can eat the plant?

Safe means non-toxic, not edible. A curious nibble is not a concern, but heavy grazing on any houseplant can still upset a stomach.

Where does this list come from?

ASPCA Animal Poison Control classifications, plus named veterinary sources where ASPCA has no entry. Curated August 2026. Absence from the list means unverified, never safe.

Is a plant that is not on this list pet-safe?

Not automatically. Plant Doctor's list is not exhaustive and is conservative by design: a plant that is not on it is unverified, never assumed safe. Check with your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435).

More plant lists

Always confirm with a veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) before assuming safety. This is a household reference, not a substitute for professional guidance in a suspected poisoning.

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control classifications, plus named veterinary sources where ASPCA has no entry. Curated August 2026.

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