Pet Friendly Houseplants — Safe Options for Cat & Dog Owners
If you share your home with a curious cat or a plant-chewing dog, you know the anxiety of bringing a new plant home. Will they nibble on it? Is it toxic? Should you even bother?
The answer is yes — you absolutely can have a beautiful, plant-filled home and pets. You just need to know which plants are safe. At Sunroom Plants in Ridgewood, NJ, we always help pet owners find gorgeous, non-toxic options that look amazing without putting your furry family members at risk.
Here are our top pet-friendly houseplants:
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) One of the most popular houseplants in the world — and completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. Spider plants are easy to grow, tolerate low light, and produce adorable little "babies" that hang down like natural decorations. A win all around.
2. Calathea Stunning patterned leaves, pet safe, and low light tolerant. Calatheas are a triple threat. They're a favourite at Sunroom Plants for exactly this reason — they look incredible and you don't have to worry if your cat decides to investigate.
3. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) Want a tropical vibe without the toxicity risk? The Parlour Palm is elegant, pet safe, and thrives in indirect light. It grows slowly and gracefully, making it perfect for living rooms and bedrooms.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) Lush, full, and completely safe for pets. Boston Ferns love humidity so they're perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. They do need consistent moisture but reward you with gorgeous, feathery fronds.
5. Peperomia With hundreds of varieties ranging from tiny and compact to bold and dramatic, Peperomias are a pet-safe plant collector's dream. They're low maintenance, adaptable, and completely non-toxic.
6. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) A beautiful, tall palm that's safe for both cats and dogs. Areca Palms bring a resort-like feel to any room and are great air purifiers. They prefer bright indirect light but are a wonderful pet-safe statement plant.
7. Haworthia If you love the look of succulents but worry about your pets, Haworthia is your answer. Unlike Aloe Vera (which is toxic to pets), Haworthia is completely safe and has the same striking architectural look.
Plants to Avoid if You Have Pets
Just as important as knowing what's safe is knowing what to avoid. Keep these away from pets:
Pothos — toxic to cats and dogs
Peace Lily — toxic if ingested
Snake Plant — mildly toxic to pets
Aloe Vera — toxic to dogs and cats
ZZ Plant — toxic if ingested
Our Pet Friendly Promise
When you visit Sunroom Plants, just let us know you have pets and we'll guide you straight to the safe options. Every plant in our shop is labelled with pet safety information so you can shop with confidence.
📍 Visit us at 59 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ or browse our pet friendly collection online.
