Are you a plant lover and a pet owner? Then you have probably discovered it can sometimes be tricky to find plants for your home that are also safe to have around pets. Well, don’t be discouraged! There are actually quite a few houseplants that are non-toxic to dogs and cats. For this week’s blog, we have pulled together a list that can help you decorate your home with live plants… or, perhaps even serve as a list of gift ideas for those pet owners on your shopping list this holiday season!
Be sure to keep these precautions in mind:
- Even non-toxic plants can create gastrointestinal upset if ingested by your pet. If your pet is overly attracted to houseplants, even non-toxic ones, then plants are probably best kept out of reach.
- Check the plant label carefully and reference the scientific name. You can double check any plant with the ASPCA’s list of non-toxic plants for cats and dogs.
- Don’t make assumptions from the name of the plant. For example, a Boston Fern is non-toxic, but that does not mean all plants with the name “fern” are non-toxic.
- Don’t assume that if one species can have the plant, that it is safe for any species.
Now, for the list.
Common Name | Scientific Name | Photograph Example |
---|---|---|
Some Bromeliads | Neoregalia spp. | |
Hens and chickens | Echeveria elegans | |
Christmas Cactus | Schlumbergera bridgesii | |
Spider Plant | Chlorophytum comosum | |
Rose | Rosa sp. | |
African Violet | Saintpaulia spp. | |
Phalaenopsis orchids | Phalaenopsis sp. | |
Prayer plant | Calathea insignis | |
Polka dot plant | Hypoestes phyllostachya | |
Friendship plant | Pilea involucrata | |
Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis | |
Pony Tail | Beaucarnea recurvata | |
Burro’s tail | Sedum morganianum | |
Lipstick plant | Aeschynanthus humilis | |
Japanese Aralia | Fatsia japonica | |
Aluminum plant | Pilea cadieri |
Need more choices? Visit the ASPCA’s website page about toxic and non-toxic plants.
Author: Dr. C. Noureddine, DVM, MS, MS