Pet friendly plant choices

If you are like us you love your plants and your furry friends. If you aren't just a plant parent, we've compiled a list of indoor beauties that are safe for your cat or dog so they can co-exist in your home happily.

We've listed the top do's and don'ts but if you have a pet that likes to nibble plants, we would recommend putting them up out of reach to avoid temptation and access. This may be easy enough for dog owners, but trickier for those owners of acrobatic cats. We suggest also trying to train them out of the habit.

Dogs and cats are not evolved to eat large quantities of plant matter, and most plants will cause your pet to vomit if they eat them. They will sometimes eat grass as a natural emetic and even culinary herbs can cause mild gastrointestinal upset for animals. Smaller animals are generally more adversely affected by unwanted plant consumption.

Please keep in mind we are not vets, if in doubt about possible plant toxicity please consult your pet care provider. We've compiled this by consulting with the ASPCA. Check out their website for a more comprehensive list of indoor and outdoor plants.

Plants that are considered non-toxic

Please note, they may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed, but should not be fatal or cause extensive problems.

Calathea

Palour palm

Echeveria

Chlorophytum

Schlumbegera

Pellaea buttton fern

Platycerium bifurcatum

Peperomia

Maranta

Aspidistra

Hoya

Orchids

Fittona

Pilea

Holly fern

Hypoestes

Bamboo

Bamboo palm

Sedum morganium

Plectranthus

Dizzygotheca falsa aralia

Fatsia

Plants that are considered toxic

Please note, consumption will cause more severe gastrointestinal upset or worse. Animals and these plants do not go together.

Apipremnum

Ficus

Anthurium

Alocasia

Aloe

Schefflera

Caladium

Zamia furfuracea

Monstera

Aglaonema

Crassulas aborescens

Clivea

Coleus

Asparagus fern

Begonia

Dracaena

Ivy

Kalanchoe

Euphobia

Philodendron

Poinsettia

Pothos

Sago palm

Sansieveria

Dieffenbachia

Strelitzia

Syngonum

Spathiphylum

Scindanpsus

Pictus

Tradescantia

Colocasia 

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If you need to make changes to your plant collection or add a pet-safe plant to your home, here are the options we have available on our online storeFor more plant care information visit our knowledge database here.

Photo by Rae Fallon, written by Claire Greenhill

September 21, 2020 — Jasmyn Woodford