Pet-Friendly Plant Guide for Cats and Dogs

We ALL love our fur babies and our plants, but sometimes it can feel like you have to choose one or the other. We’re here to tell you you don’t!  This guide is here to let you know that you CAN have it all when it comes to your loved animals and plants coexisting in peace in your home. When it comes to choosing a plant for your home, there are a few things to consider.

Think Placement. Will it be on a high shelf where your pets can’t get to it? Or will it be in a plant stand, on the floor, or somewhere else within easy reach of your pets? If you know the plant is safe from your animals, you can feel free to choose a plant that is not on this list. But if you know you are placing a plant somewhere where your pets will be able to smell it and chew on it, make sure it is a safe plant for your pets.

Say no to sap. As a general rule, stay away from ANY plant that has sap in it, as sap is toxic to cats and dogs. These include but are not limited to the ZZ plant, most Ficus plants, Euphorbia, any plant from the Araceae family, and many more.

Soil matters. Did you know that soil from some nurseries and online contains chemicals that are toxic to your pets? Always check to see if your soil is safe for your pets. All of the soil that we sell at Dirt Bag is free from chemicals and safe for your animals.

DIY deterrent. Let’s say you have chosen a safe, non-toxic plant for your pets that you are placing in a large pot on your floor. Your pets are chewing on the leaves, and even though it won’t harm them, it doesn’t look good on your plant. There are a few things you can do to help deter your pets (cats, I’m talking to you) from chewing on leaves and digging in the soil - or worse - doing their business in the soil! You can try placing dried citrus peels such as lemon and orange on the top layer of your soil. Cats do not like strong citrus smells, and this might help deter them from messing around with your plant babies. An example of a DIY deterrent spray would be made with equal parts apple cider vinegar and white vinegar and a few drops of Clove essential oil. Place in a spray bottle, give it a good shake to mix, and mist your plants. This spray has quite a strong smell but it will help to deter those curious little cats. I have two cats, and they won’t go anywhere near any plants that I mist with this DIY spray. It has been a lifesaver and I feel safe knowing I can introduce bigger plants into my home and they won’t mess with them.

Let’s jump right into the list of 20  plants that are completely safe for cats and dogs. There are many more plants that are non-toxic, but this is just a list to get you started. The list is divided up in plants that light medium-to-low light, and plants that prefer bright, indirect light. 

Bright, Indirect Light

1. Lipstick Plant - Aeschynanthus longicaulis
2. Prayer Plants - Maranta varieties
3. Venus Fly Trap - Dionaea muscipula
4. Spider Plant - Chlorophytum comosum
5. Baby Rubber Plant - Peperomia obtusifolia
6. Haworthia
7. Polka Dot Plant - Hypoestes phyllostachya
8. Rex Begonia - Cissus discolor
9. Parlor Palm - Chamaedorea elegans 
10.  Ponytail Palm - Beaucarnea recurvata
11. Fan Palm - Chapis flabelliformis

Medium-to-Low Light

1. Pilea Family (Pilea pumila, Pilea microphylla, Pilea nummulariifolia, Pilea involucrate, Pilea cadierei)
2.  Some Ferns (Rabbit's-Foot Fern, Staghorn Fern, Button Fern, Mother Fern, Holly Fern)
3.  Hoya (Hoya Carnosa varieties, Hoya Publicalis, Hoya Kerri)
4.  Cast Iron Plant - Aspidistra elatior
5.  Rattlesnake Calathea - Calathea lancifolia
6.  Pinstripe Calathea - Calathea ornata
7.  Gerbera Daisy
8.  Swedish Ivy - Plectranthus australis
9.  Kentia Palm - Howea forsteriana