Sometimes, being a pet owner and a plant lover simultaneously is difficult. Especially if you have naughty puppies that get into everything or cats that will nibble on any leaf in sight, you have to be careful which houseplants you add to your home. Read on for a list of our favorite pet-friendly houseplants to add to your home worry-free!

Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm is an excellent choice for a pet-friendly houseplant. It is a desert plant that will thrive in full sun. Water deeply once the soil has dried out, about every two weeks. Pot in well-draining soil in a pot with a drainage hole.

Peperomia Hope

The Peperomia family are all pet-friendly houseplants. In this photo we highlight the Peperomia Hope! With thick, waxy leaves similar to a hoya, Hope is a more manageable houseplant than other Peperomia varieties. It does well in medium to bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry before watering, every 1-2 weeks. It looks lovely in a hanging basket where it is able to trail!

Calathea Dottie

Calatheas are another pet-friendly houseplant family. We love so many of them; the pictured Calathea ‘Dottie’ has already stolen our hearts! With its dark burgundy and pink coloring, Calathea Dottie provides a gorgeous contrast to the usual greens of houseplants. Calatheas like low to medium indirect light and need more water than most houseplants.

Echeveria

Many succulents are pet-friendly, including the echeveria, gastric, haworthia, sempervivum, opuntia, and sedum families. For pet safety, it’s always best to look up the specific type of succulent, but most are nontoxic!

There are hundreds of types of echeveria, and we love them all! The echeveria pictured is “setosa,” a unique houseplant with hairy leaves. Echeveria are low-maintenance, pet-friendly houseplants that thrive in full sunlight. As succulents, they don’t need frequent watering. Water when the soil is very dry every few weeks.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants out there! They are an excellent choice for a beginner houseplant owner who is also looking for pet-friendly options. There are green spider plants and variegated ones, which are pictured here.  Spider plants do exceptionally well in hanging baskets in low to bright light. Water when soil is dry every 1-2 weeks. Spider plants produce offshoots that produce babies, which can be cut off and put into their own pots! Make sure the soil and pot is well draining, as the leaves will brown when left to sit. 

String of Hearts

String of hearts are a dainty vining succulent that looks beautiful in a hanging basket! There are a few varieties of string of hearts, with the variegated version pictured here. While a string of hearts is pet-friendly, many other “string of -” succulents are not, including the common “string of pearls.”  String of hearts is a great alternative and is even easier to care for than string of pearls! These plants like bright indirect light, and water once soil has dried, about every 2 weeks.

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are a unique tropical houseplant beloved for their uniquely shaped, colorful flowers: an excellent pet-friendly option, bromeliads like bright light and humidity. To create humidity, mist your bromeliad regularly or place a saucer of river rocks and water beneath it. In nature, bromeliads are found clinging to trees to better reach sunlight. They do well in orchid bark or an airy, well-draining soil in a shallow pot.

Hoyas

Hoyas might be our favorite pet-friendly houseplants, as they are easy to grow and come in hundreds of varieties! A great starter hoya is “carnosa tricolor,” a thick-leaved, waxy hoya with multicolored leaves that turn pink in bright light. Hoyas are versatile and do well in medium to bright light, in hanging baskets, pots, or climbing up a trellis. Water hoyas every 1-2 weeks, once the soil has fully dried.

Money Tree

The Money Tree is a popular indoor plant believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Its braided trunk and lush green leaves make it both an attractive and symbolic addition to any space. Money Trees are also pet-friendly, making them a safe choice for homes with cats and dogs. These plants thrive in medium to bright, indirect light and are low maintenance. They prefer evenly moist soil, so water them every 1-2 weeks, allowing the top few inches to dry out between waterings. Money Trees also tolerate lower light, though growth may slow in such conditions. The Money Tree remains vibrant and healthy, with occasional feeding during the growing season.

Venus Flytrap

The Venus Flytrap is a fascinating carnivorous plant known for its unique ability to capture and digest insects. It features trap-like leaves with sensitive hairs that trigger the traps to close when prey touches them. While captivating, the Venus Flytrap is also pet-safe, posing no threat to curious cats or dogs. These plants thrive in bright, direct sunlight and require consistently moist soil, preferably using distilled water or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup. Unlike typical houseplants, they prefer poor, acidic soil and do well in a mix designed for carnivorous plants. The Venus Flytrap enters dormancy in the winter, needing cooler temperatures and less water during this period to stay healthy. With the right care, this intriguing plant will be a conversation piece in your home.

Calathea Insignis

Calathea Insignis has long, wavy leaves with striking patterns of dark green spots and purple undersides. This pet-friendly plant adds a vibrant, tropical feel without harming curious cats or dogs. Calathea Insignis thrives in medium to bright, indirect light and prefers a warm, humid environment. Consistently moist, well-draining soil is essential. This plant is sensitive to chemicals in tap water, so using filtered or distilled water can help prevent leaf browning. Regular misting or placing it near a humidifier will keep its foliage lush and healthy. With proper care, the Calathea Insignis will reward you with its eye-catching, patterned leaves.

Hen and Chicks 

Hen and Chicks is a charming and resilient succulent, it is identified by its rosette clusters. The “hen” refers to the larger, central rosette, while the smaller “chicks” grow around it. This pet-friendly plant is ideal for both indoor and outdoor gardens, adding texture and interest without being harmful to cats or dogs. Hen and Chicks thrive in bright, direct light and are drought-tolerant, requiring infrequent watering—typically every 2-4 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. They prefer well-draining, sandy soil and can even grow in rocky areas. With their ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and minimal maintenance needs, Hen and Chicks are perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a low-maintenance, yet visually appealing plant.