Plant poisoning in domestic animals accounts for 5.7% of all poisoning incidents. A study conducted over 12 years in Italy found that 61.8% of these cases involved dogs.1 Most of these incidents resulted in mild to moderate symptoms, but some could be severe or even fatal.
As responsible pet owners, it’s crucial to ensure our homes are filled with plants that are safe for our furry friends. Here are 15 indoor plants that are beautiful and safe for dogs, allowing you to enjoy greenery without worry.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a classic choice for indoor greenery. It is known for its easy care and striking appearance. Its arching, variegated leaves can add a touch of elegance to any room.
This plant is non-toxic to dogs, making it a safe option for homes with curious pets. Spider Plants are also excellent air purifiers, helping to remove toxins like formaldehyde and xylene from your indoor environment. Plus, they thrive in various light conditions and only require moderate watering, making them a hassle-free addition to your home.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns are lush and full, with delicate fronds that can add a tropical vibe to your living space. These ferns are non-toxic to dogs, so you can enjoy their beauty without worrying about your pet’s safety.
In addition to being dog-friendly, Boston Ferns are natural humidifiers and air purifiers, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. They prefer indirect light and high humidity, making them perfect for bathrooms or kitchens.
3. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca Palms, also known as Butterfly Palms, are popular for their graceful, feathery fronds and low maintenance requirements. These palms are safe for dogs, ensuring your home remains a safe haven for your pets.
Areca Palms thrive in bright, indirect light and can grow quite large, making them an excellent statement plant for spacious rooms. They also help remove pollutants from the air, improving overall air quality in your home.
4. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Peperomia plants come in various shapes and sizes, with attractive, often textured leaves. These plants are non-toxic to dogs, making them a versatile and safe option for pet owners.
Peperomias are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate various light conditions, from low to bright indirect light. Their compact size makes them ideal for tabletops and shelves, adding a touch of greenery to any corner of your home.
5. Calathea (Goeppertia spp., formerly Calathea spp.)
Calatheas are known for their stunning, patterned leaves that can bring a burst of color and interest to your indoor garden. These plants are safe for dogs so that you can enjoy their beauty without worry.
These plants thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer high humidity, making them suitable for bathrooms or areas with a bit more moisture. They also close their leaves at night and reopen in the morning, adding a dynamic element to your plant collection.
6. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is a charming and compact palm that is safe for dogs and perfect for smaller spaces. Its delicate fronds can add a touch of elegance to any room.
Parlor Palms are easy to care for, preferring bright, indirect light and moderate watering. They are also known for their air-purifying qualities, helping to create a healthier indoor environment for you and your pets.
7. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Friendship Plants are beloved for their attractive, quilted leaves and ease of care. These plants are non-toxic to dogs, ensuring your home remains safe for your furry friends.
They prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering, making them a great choice for various indoor settings. Their small size and interesting foliage can add a unique touch to your plant collection.
8. Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
The Baby Rubber Plant is a compact, glossy-leaved plant that is safe for dogs. Its attractive foliage and low maintenance needs make it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light conditions. Its small size and appealing appearance make it perfect for desks, shelves, and other small spaces.
9. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
African Violets are known for their vibrant, colorful flowers and soft, fuzzy leaves. These charming plants are non-toxic to dogs, making them a pet-friendly option for indoor gardens.
African Violets prefer bright, indirect light and must be watered from the bottom to avoid wetting their leaves. They can bloom throughout the year with a bit of care, adding a splash of color to your home.
10. Haworthia (Haworthia spp.)
Haworthias are small, succulent plants with striking, often spiky leaves. They are safe for dogs and make a great addition to any indoor plant collection.
These succulents are incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in bright light and requiring minimal watering. Their compact size and unique appearance make them ideal for windowsills and small spaces.
11. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The Prayer Plant is known for its beautiful, patterned leaves that fold up at night, resembling hands in prayer. This plant is non-toxic to dogs, ensuring your home is safe for your pets.
Prayer Plants thrive in bright, indirect light and high humidity. They are relatively low-maintenance and can add a touch of tropical flair to your indoor garden.
12. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
The Christmas Cactus is a popular holiday plant known for its vibrant, tubular flowers. It is safe for dogs, making it a great choice for pet-friendly homes.
These plants prefer bright, indirect light and require moderate watering. With proper care, they can bloom annually, adding festive cheer to your home.
13. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
The Ponytail Palm is a unique and striking plant with a bulbous base and cascading leaves. It is non-toxic to dogs, making it a safe and stylish addition to your home.
For care, they thrive in bright light and require minimal watering, making them an excellent low-maintenance option. Their distinctive appearance can add a touch of whimsy to any room.
14. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The Cast Iron Plant is known for its durability and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. This hardy plant is safe for dogs, making it a worry-free option for pet owners.
These plants are incredibly low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering and tolerating a wide range of light conditions. Their long, arching leaves can add a touch of greenery to even the darkest corners of your home.
15. Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliads are exotic plants known for their vibrant, colorful flowers and rosette-shaped leaves. They are non-toxic to dogs, making them a safe and eye-catching addition to your indoor garden.
Like others on the list, they thrive in bright, indirect light and require moderate watering. Their unique appearance and striking colors can bring a touch of the tropics to your home and brighten up any space.
Incorporating indoor plants that are safe for dogs ensures that your home remains a beautiful and pet-friendly environment. These 15 plants not only add aesthetic value but also contribute to a healthier indoor atmosphere.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.