Room for paws and fronds
A leafy little match for your home.
Explore twelve plants listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Match the scientific name on the label, then consider the light and air in your room. Similar common names can hide very different plants.
Find your kind of green
12 plants
Lower light means indirect light, not darkness. These are starting points for indoor placement; your window, pot and watering still matter.
No match yet. Try a different light level or clear the filters to see every plant.
Trailing · Typical room
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Light: Medium indirect or Bright indirect
A gentle fountain of leaves, with plantlets that can spill from a shelf. Let excess water drain; check moisture before watering.
Upright · Typical room
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Light: Lower indirect or Medium indirect or Bright indirect
Fine fronds for a leafy corner. Lower light is tolerated, but avoid a dark room. Sago palms are unrelated and toxic.
Arching · More humidity
Boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston fern cultivars)
Light: Medium indirect or Bright indirect
A soft, generous canopy. Keep the growing mix evenly moist with drainage and give this fern humid air. Confirm the Boston fern identity.
Name note: ASPCA lists Boston fern as Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis.
Compact · Typical room
Baby rubber plant
Peperomia obtusifolia
Light: Medium indirect or Bright indirect
Rounded, glossy leaves in a small footprint. Use a draining pot and avoid keeping the mix soaked. This is not a Ficus rubber tree.
Compact · Typical room
Ripple peperomia
Peperomia caperata
Light: Medium indirect or Bright indirect
Little ridged leaves with plenty of texture. Give filtered light and allow some drying between waterings.
Compact · More humidity
Friendship plant
Pilea involucrata
Light: Bright indirect
Quilted leaves for a bright, sheltered spot. Humidity matters; keep the mix moist with good drainage, rather than waterlogged.
Trailing · More humidity
Wax plant
Hoya carnosa
Light: Bright indirect
A climbing or trailing vine with thick leaves. Provide a fast-draining mix and let it dry between waterings. Identify the species before buying.
Name note: ASPCA calls this species Honey Plant.
Upright · Typical room
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra elatior
Light: Lower indirect or Medium indirect
Broad, upright leaves for a softer-lit corner. Keep it away from harsh direct sun and avoid continuously wet soil.
Upright · More humidity
Rattlesnake plant
Goeppertia insignis
Light: Medium indirect or Bright indirect
Wavy patterned leaves for a humid room with filtered light. Keep moisture fairly even and protect it from drafts.
Name note: ASPCA uses the older name Calathea insignis; NC State lists the current name and synonyms.
Arching · More humidity
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii
Light: Bright indirect
Segmented stems with an arching habit. Give bright indirect light and a draining mix. Check the label: holiday cactus names are often mixed.
Name note: ASPCA uses Schlumbergera bridgesii. NC State includes that name under Schlumbergera russelliana.
Upright · Typical room
Kentia palm
Howea forsteriana
Light: Lower indirect or Medium indirect or Bright indirect
A slow-growing palm with room to stretch. It tolerates lower indoor light, but avoid harsh direct sun and standing water.
Upright · Typical room
Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvata
Light: Sunny window or Bright indirect
A sculptural base and long cascading leaves. Offer a very bright spot, excellent drainage and drying time between waterings. It is not a true palm.
Read the pet-safe houseplants guide or bring your light, collection and pet questions to a plant consultation.
Ask about your spaceA little care, in thirty seconds
Paws, fronds and a proper name.
Silent graphic tip. Play when you like, or read the same notes below.
Read the tip
- Paws, fronds and a proper name. A thoughtful plant choice begins with identification.
- Common names can be confusing. A parlor palm and a sago palm are different plants. Keep the scientific name on the label.
- Match the room, too. The finder lets you compare light, shape and room humidity for twelve named plants.
- Non-toxic does not mean edible. Keep plants, potting mix and care products away from determined chewers. Ask a vet if a pet seems unwell.
- Find your kind of green. Explore exact names and individual ASPCA references at evergreenhouseplantcare.com/pet-safe-houseplants/