Pet-Friendly Houseplants: Why They Matter to Me and to My Pets

Pets Explore With Their Mouths

Cats and dogs interact with the world by sniffing, rubbing, chewing, and occasionally causing chaos. Even normally well behaved pets get curious. Many common houseplants, including pothos, philodendron, and peace lilies, contain toxins that can cause irritation or more serious symptoms if ingested.

Choosing houseplants that are safe for pets means fewer worries and no panic when you hear suspicious crunching from the other room.

A More Peaceful Home

When every plant in your home is pet friendly, life gets simpler. There’s no constant rearranging to keep plants out of reach and no stress about what might be toxic.

For pet owners who garden outdoors too, our blog Keeping Your Pets Safe: A Guide to Toxic and Non Toxic Outdoor Plants breaks down which landscape plants to avoid and which are safe to grow around pets.

Favorite Pet Friendly Houseplants

These are a few houseplants I love that are safe for homes with cats and dogs:

Spider Plant
Resilient, air purifying, and famously entertaining for curious cats.

Bamboo Palm
Adds a soft tropical feel and performs well in lower light spaces.

Boston Fern
Lush and classic, and gentle even if pets take an occasional nibble.

Calathea
Known for bold, patterned leaves without toxicity concerns.

African Violet
Compact plants with beautiful blooms that brighten small spaces safely.

Our greenhouse team will also be highlighting our full collection of pet friendly houseplants, making it easy to learn which plants are safe for cats and dogs while supporting organizations doing meaningful work in our community.

Pet Days of Winter • February 7

If you love plants and animals as much as I do, Pet Days of Winter is the perfect time to visit.

On Saturday, February 7, we’re welcoming local nonprofit animal rescues, adoption organizations, and pet focused vendors to the Middletown greenhouses. Many of our nonprofit partners will be onsite with pets available for adoption, along with education and resources focused on responsible pet ownership.