In today's world, our homes are sanctuaries of comfort, bringing nature inside with vibrant, lush greenery. Yet, for pet owners, this verdant dream is often met with the daunting task of ensuring our botanical choices are safe for our beloved furry friends. The beauty and benefits of houseplants should never come at the expense of our pets' well-being. Pet friendly plants bring a harmonious convergence of aesthetics and safety, creating an environment where both you and your pets can thrive.
These thoughtful choices not only enhance your home's visual appeal but also improve air quality, reduce stress, and boost overall wellness. It's about crafting a nurturing space where every member of the household, whether they have two legs or four, can coexist joyously and healthily. Let's dive into the 10 best pet friendly plants that brilliantly balance this synergy, ensuring your home remains a haven of beauty and safety.
Embracing pet friendly plants not only fosters an environment of safety and beauty but also cultivates a nurturing space that encourages both pets and their humans to flourish harmoniously.
The 10 best pet friendly indoor plants
Every plant below is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and every one of them will cope with normal indoor light. If you are new to houseplants, read this alongside our indoor plant tips for beginners.
1. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The Areca Palm, also known as the butterfly palm, is an excellent addition to any pet-friendly home. With its elegant fronds and air-purifying properties, it creates a serene atmosphere while being non-toxic to both dogs and cats.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a resilient and low-maintenance choice for pet owners. It's known for its distinctive arching leaves and air-purifying abilities. Safe for pets, it grows well in a variety of light conditions, making it a versatile addition to your home.
3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns are lush and full of texture, ideal for hanging baskets or elevated stands. These ferns thrive in humid environments, making them perfect for bathrooms or kitchens, and they pose no harm to inquisitive pets.
4. Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Calatheas, known for their striking foliage with intricate patterns, are superb for adding a touch of tropical beauty to your home. They flourish in indirect light and keep your pets out of harm's way with their non-toxic leaves.
5. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)
The Moth Orchid's elegant blooms are not only visually stunning but also safe for pets. These orchids require a bit more care, preferring indirect light and occasional watering, but their beauty and safety make them well worth the effort.
6. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
African Violets bring a burst of colour with their vibrant flowers, available in various hues. They are perfect for windowsills where they can bask in indirect sunlight. Non-toxic and cheerful, these small plants can brighten any space.
7. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Bamboo Palms are another fantastic option for pet-friendly homes. Tall and graceful, they thrive in low light and help purify the air, while their nontoxic nature ensures they are safe for all household pets.
8. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Similar to the Bamboo Palm, the Parlor Palm is characterized by its elegant fronds and ease of care. It's perfect for adding height and greenery to your space, without any risk to your pets’ health.
9. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Peperomias are compact plants with a variety of leaf shapes and colours. They are low-maintenance and thrive in moderate light conditions. Importantly, they are non-toxic, making them an excellent choice for homes with pets.
10. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
True to its name, the Cast Iron Plant is incredibly hardy and can withstand neglect, low light, and varying temperatures. Its resilience is matched by its pet-friendly nature, providing a robust and safe option for any household.
Pet safe plants for the garden
Indoors is only half the problem. Dogs in particular graze, dig and brush past whatever is planted along a fence line, so the garden bed deserves the same scrutiny as the windowsill.
Lavender
Non-toxic, drought hardy and strongly aromatic, which is usually enough to stop a dog chewing it in the first place. French lavender handles Australian humidity better than the English types and holds its shape with one hard prune after flowering.
Rosemary
Tough, edible, non-toxic and happy in poor soil. It doubles as a low informal hedge along a path, and our rosemary care guide covers the pruning that keeps it dense rather than woody.
Seaside daisy
A non-toxic groundcover that flowers almost continuously and takes foot traffic and dog traffic better than most. Erigeron karvinskianus will spill over a retaining wall or fill the gaps between pavers.
Marigolds and sunflowers
Both are safe for cats and dogs, both are cheap, and both give you a season of strong colour in a bed that pets use. Marigolds have the added benefit of deterring some insect pests.
Ornamental grasses
Lomandra, dianella and mondo grass are all non-toxic, all hard to damage and all recover from being flattened. They are the practical choice for the parts of the garden a dog actually runs through.
How to care for pet safe plants
Nothing about a pet-safe plant makes it harder to grow, but a few habits reduce the chance of an accident.
- Skip the systemic products. Snail bait, systemic insecticides and some slow-release fertilisers are far more dangerous to a pet than any of the plants around them. Choose pet-safe alternatives and store everything out of reach.
- Watch the mulch, not just the plant. Cocoa bean mulch is toxic to dogs. Bark, sugarcane and pea straw are all safe.
- Wipe the leaves. Dust blocks light on indoor foliage, and a clean leaf is easier to inspect for pests before an infestation takes hold.
- Water carefully. Soggy mix is the main cause of indoor plant failure. Our guide to overwatering and root rot covers the finger test that settles it.
- Do not let a cat drink from the saucer. Standing water carries fertiliser residue that is better kept away from pets.
Benefits of Having Pet-Safe Plants
Incorporating pet-safe plants into your home offers an array of benefits beyond mere aesthetics. Firstly, these plants provide peace of mind, allowing pet owners to enjoy greenery without the constant worry of harmful interactions between their pets and plants. The physical presence of plants enhances indoor air quality by filtering toxins and releasing oxygen, promoting a healthier living environment for all. Moreover, the presence of lush foliage can significantly reduce stress and increase feelings of calm and well-being, which can positively impact both human and animal inhabitants. Plants may also provide natural humidity regulation, which is beneficial in maintaining a comfortable indoor climate. Finally, having a variety of textures and colours from pet-friendly plants can stimulate your pets' curiosity and reduce their boredom, contributing to their overall mental and emotional health. Embracing pet-safe greenery ensures your home is a sanctuary of wellness, beauty, and safety for every resident.
Plants that are toxic to cats and dogs
Knowing what to avoid matters more than knowing what is safe, because the dangerous plants are common and several of them are sold as ordinary houseplants. The list below covers the ones vets see most often in Australia.
The serious ones
- True lilies and day lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis) - potentially fatal to cats even in tiny amounts, including pollen brushed onto fur. Keep them out of any house with a cat.
- Sago palm and other cycads (Cycas revoluta) - every part is toxic and the seeds especially so, with a real risk of liver failure in dogs.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) - highly toxic in all parts, including dried leaves and the smoke from burning prunings.
- Yesterday, today and tomorrow (Brunfelsia) - the fallen berries are attractive to dogs and cause seizures. A common cause of poisoning in Australian backyards.
- Castor oil plant, angel’s trumpet and foxglove - all seriously toxic and all still turn up in older gardens.
Common houseplants to keep out of reach
- Peace lily, arum lily and dieffenbachia - the calcium oxalate crystals cause painful mouth and throat swelling. Despite the name, a peace lily is not a pet-safe plant.
- Devil’s ivy (pothos), philodendron and monstera - same problem, same advice.
- ZZ plant - mildly toxic and best kept on a shelf rather than the floor.
- Azalea and rhododendron - a few leaves can cause vomiting and heart problems in dogs.
- Daffodil, tulip and hyacinth bulbs - the bulb is the toxic part, which is exactly what a digging dog finds.
If you think your pet has eaten any of these, contact your vet immediately and take a piece of the plant with you. Do not wait for symptoms.
Pet-proofing your green space
Choosing safe species is the first layer. Placement is the second, and it is usually what stops the chewing.
- Get the tempting ones up high. Hanging baskets, wall shelves and plant stands with a wide, stable base put trailing foliage out of reach of a cat without hiding it from you.
- Go vertical. A wall-mounted planting keeps the whole collection off the floor. Our guide to creating a thriving vertical garden covers the systems that work indoors.
- Weight the pots. A top-heavy plant in a light plastic pot is an accident waiting to happen with a big dog in the room.
- Give a cat its own greenery. A pot of cat grass usually redirects the chewing away from everything else.
- Design the garden around the dog. Bark or crushed gravel paths, a designated digging patch and dense planting at the fence line all reduce damage. Our guide to creating an animal friendly garden covers the layout in detail.
FAQ on Pet Friendly Plants
Discover the essential insights on incorporating pet-friendly plants into your home, catering to both your love for greenery and the safety of your pets.
Two of the picks above have guides of their own: our spider plant care tips and our list of the best low light plants for the home, which is the shortlist if your rooms are dim as well as pet-occupied.
Do pet-friendly plants require special care?
Most pet-friendly plants are low-maintenance, thriving in various light conditions with minimal requirements.
Are pet-friendly plants also good for air purification?
Yes, many pet-friendly plants such as Areca Palm, Spider Plant, and Bamboo Palm, excel in purifying indoor air.
Can pet-safe plants improve my home environment?
Yes, they enhance aesthetics, improve air quality, reduce stress, and contribute to overall well-being.
Ready to plant?
You do not have to choose between a green home and a safe one. Browse our plants safe for pets collection, or the wider house and indoor plants range, and we will deliver anywhere in Australia.
