Houseplants Safe for Dogs

Some dogs, especially puppies, like to chew on household items and munch on grass outside so when they see a houseplant it can be tempting to take a bite. Knowing what houseplants are safe in case your dog decides to give it a taste can help prevent serious problems. Not every houseplant is safe for a dog but thankfully there are still plenty to choose from.

9 Houseplants Safe for Cats

01 of 10

Christmas Cactuses

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Christmas cactuses aren't just for Christmastime and many households enjoy having these houseplants year round. Thankfully, these flowering plants are fairly safe for dogs to be around. Christmas cactuses are non-toxic to dogs but like other houseplants, that doesn't mean you should purposefully let your dog chew on them. It instead means they won't poison your dog if it does take a nibble but it may still have an upset stomach with some vomiting and diarrhea. Christmas cactuses like bright, indirect light and don't get very tall. They do spread out though, covering about two feet of space, so make sure you have enough room to let your cactus grow.
02 of 10

Boston Ferns

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Not all ferns are safe for dogs but the Boston fern is non-toxic. These popular houseplants like high humidity, moist soil, and indirect light. They can take up a good amount of space and do not flower so if you are looking for a lot of green without any other color, the Boston fern may be a good option. Be sure to avoid asparagus and lace ferns, though, as these ferns can be dangerous to your dog.
03 of 10

African Violets

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African violets look similar to another safe houseplant called gloxinias and these small plants are very popular. They have velvety leaves, brightly colored flowers that are usually shades of purple or pink and are readily available at home improvement stores as well as garden centers. African violets are considered to be low maintenance plants but they do best in bright, indirect light with moderately moist soil. Ideally, these plants should soak up water from the drainage hole of the pot rather than pouring water over the leavs and flowers.
04 of 10

Areca Palms

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Sometimes confused with the smaller parlor palm (which is also safe to have around dogs), Areca palms can grow to be very large and have small flowers on them. These are good houseplants for filling large spaces and like direct light. Good soil drainage is important and room temperature is ideal for these trees to thrive. Keeping these trees in smaller pots will help control how large they grow.

Continue to 5 of 10 below.
05 of 10

Spider Plants

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Perhaps one of the easiest houseplants to care for, the spider plant has been a popular plant for decades. Ornate hanging pot holders often house spider plants and allow their dangling plantlets to be displayed but they can also be placed on a table or shelf and allowed to spread out and rest on the surface. Spider plants need bright but indirect sunlight and well draining soil. If the soil stays too wet the roots can rot but otherwise these plants are pretty hardy.
06 of 10

Cast Iron Plants

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These green plants are very hardy houseplants and also non-toxic to dogs. Even in low light areas, cast iron plants seem to be fine and can therefore tolerate full shade. If you're worried about keeping a houseplant alive then this plant might be for you. Cast iron plants can grow to be about two feet tall and two feet wide and produce small flowers. Direct sunlight is actually harmful to these plants so hiding them in a dark corner of your home is not a problem.
07 of 10

Orchids

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Orchids are very popular and beautiful plants. They don't grow very wide but do get fairly tall when compared to other small potted flowers like the African violet. Delicate flowers and long stems are characteristic of these tropical plants that come in a variety of colors. They require a warm and fairly humid environment but should not be placed in direct sunlight. Limited watering will help keep your orchids happy along with soil with good drainage since the roots need good air flow for the plants to flourish.
08 of 10

Haworthias

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Like hens and chicks, haworthias are quickly becoming another popular succulent option since they are non-toxic to dogs. These plants don't need much water, especially in the winter, so they are fairly low-maintenance houseplants. They do, however, need bright, indirect lighting but if you can provide that and can keep yourself from overwatering this little potted plant then your succulent should thrive. Haworthias typically only grow to be about five inches tall but some species can get to be up to 20 inches tall.

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09 of 10

Gerbera Daisies

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Gerbera daisies are popular both as indoor and outdoor plants since they do well in both environments. They are pretty hardy, especially when kept outside, and come in a variety of bright colors. As houseplants, gerbera daisies do need a little more attention than if they were kept outside but if they are watered regularly and provided with enough light, these pretty flowers will provide a little color to your indoor space.
10 of 10

Polka Dot Plants

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If you're looking for another colorful but small houseplant to add to your indoor space then you may consider the polka dot plant. This non-toxic houseplant has brightly colored leaves with a fun pattern. If it doesn't receive enough sunlight then the leaves won't have as much color or patterning to them so this is a good indication of how well you're caring for your plant.

As with anything that is new to a dog's diet, even a safe houseplant may cause some vomiting and diarrhea if a dog eats it but this doesn't mean it's toxic. Gastrointestinal upset can occur with any dietary change, including pet food food, treats, and even eating the leaf of a houseplant.

There are, however, many plants that can cause life threatening symptoms if a dog eats them. Some toxic houseplants include ivy, the jade plant, dumb cane, elephant ear, sago palm, and sowbread, among many others.

Be sure to research the specific houseplant you are looking to add to your home prior to putting it in your dog's path.