
Common Care Questions
How to Create a Pet-Safe Plant Collection
We've partnered with Small Door Vet to share our favorite pet-friendly houseplants and what to do if your furry friend munches on a houseplant.

Bringing plants into your home can brighten your space and improve air quality, but for pet owners, safety comes first. Some plants are completely safe, while others can pose health risks to cats and dogs. The good news? You don’t have to choose between a lush indoor garden and your pet’s well-being. With a little planning, you can enjoy greenery while keeping your pets safe. Small Door Vet offers expert guidance on pet health, including plant safety tips for pet owners.
The first thing you should do before bringing home a new plant is check its toxicity level. “The ASPCA has a great searchable database for toxic and non-toxic plants. It is a helpful resource to use prior to bringing any plant into your home with pets,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Small Door Vet.
If you have curious pets, opt for non-toxic plants or keep toxic ones completely out of reach. Even safe plants can cause mild digestive upset if chewed on, so it’s best to discourage nibbling. If you notice bite marks on your plants, consider pet-safe deterrent sprays or relocating them to pet-free zones.
Remember, plants are only toxic if it's ingested by your pet, but it's a common misconception that plants are only dangerous if they’re highly toxic. Even mildly toxic plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. If your pet ingests any plant, first check the ASPCA database or contact Small Door Vet. Members can chat with their veterinary team via the app for 24/7 real-time advice.
"We would usually recommend calling the ASPCA poison control hotline to speak to toxicologists as a 1st step to understand the degree of toxicity and if an immediate trip to the vet is necessary," says Richardson. This specialist toxicology team will also provide steps to your veterinary team to help handle any poisonous ingestions as experts in this field.
If you're a cat owner, be extra cautious. Cats are more sensitive to plant toxins than dogs and have a tendency to chew on leaves and flowers. Even if you place plants in hard-to-reach spots, cats may still find a way to get to them. It may be best to stick to completely non-toxic options in a home with curious cats.
Lilies (and any species in the lily family) are among the most toxic plants for cats. Your cat doesn’t even have to eat the flowers or leaves to suffer from lily poisoning—a sip of water from the plant’s vase or licking pollen from their fur can cause severe toxicity. "Avoid these at all costs," says Richardson.
If your pet is especially curious, consider a designated plant-free zone. A separate room, high shelves, or hanging planters can help keep greenery out of reach while still allowing you to enjoy plants.
Being a pet owner doesn’t mean sacrificing your love of plants. With a little planning, you can create a pet-friendly indoor garden that keeps both your greenery and your furry friends safe. Check out our top pet-friendly plants below to start creating a more pet-safe plant collection at home.
Best Pet-Friendly Plants

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a hardy, non-toxic favorite for both cats and dogs. It’s low-maintenance, thrives in various light conditions, and adds a beautiful, cascading look to any space.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
This slow-growing, pet-safe palm brings a tropical feel to your home without risk to pets. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers occasional watering once the top few inches of soil dry out.

Peperomia obtusifolia
Peperomias are great pet-friendly options with a wide variety of leaf shapes and textures. They’re drought-tolerant and adaptable, thriving in medium to bright indirect light.

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Said to bring good luck, the Money Tree is a resilient, pet-safe plant with a unique braided trunk. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers watering when the soil is partially dry.
Final Tips for a Pet-Safe Home
- Research before bringing home a new plant. The ASPCA plant database is a valuable resource.
- Keep toxic plants completely out of reach. High shelves, hanging planters, or enclosed terrariums can help.
- Monitor your pet for signs of plant ingestion. Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, or lethargy may indicate toxicity.
- Have an emergency plan. Save the ASPCA Poison Control hotline and your vet’s number in case of accidental ingestion.
By selecting pet-safe plants and being mindful of placement, you can enjoy a beautiful, worry-free indoor garden!
Friends of The Sill get $100 off a Small Door membership. Offer limited to one pet per household, applicable only to the first year of a new membership at checkout. Not valid for Pay As You Go or existing clients.

Words By The Sill
Empowering all people to be plant people—a collection of articles from The Sill's team of plant experts across a variety of plant care topics to inspire confidence in the next generation of plant parents. Welcome to Plant Parenthood™.
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