13 Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

With their rich purple blooms, African violets (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia) add a vibrant touch to tabletops, shelves, or desks and are surprisingly easy to care for once you learn the basics. These pet-safe houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. Proper watering is key to keeping them healthy and blooming, so for even easier maintenance, consider pairing your African violet with a self-watering planter to help keep the soil consistently moist.

The wide, glossy leaves of the American rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) bring cheerful greenery to any space. This beginner-friendly houseplant prefers a bright location out of direct sunlight and soil that drains well. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, allowing the soil to dry a little more between waterings during the cooler months when growth naturally slows. Occasionally wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and maintain their natural shine. Although American rubber plants can grow several feet tall indoors, keeping them in a small planter can help manage their size.

Geometrically shaped rosettes and striking colors make blue echeveria (Echeveria glauca) a stunning addition to indoor gardens, especially for pet owners looking for non-toxic houseplants. Native to arid climates, these succulents do best in plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil with infrequent watering, making them a great fit for busy plant owners. Water only after the soil has completely dried, then soak it thoroughly before allowing it to dry out again. If you’d like to grow several varieties together, consider creating your own succulent container garden, and review our succulent care guide for more in-depth instructions.

Blushing bromeliads (Neoregelia carolinae) are popular pet-safe houseplants prized for their colorful foliage and hardiness. True to their name, the center of the plant “blushes” a vibrant shade of red before flowering, adding a unique burst of color to your home. Unlike many flowering houseplants, bromeliads are grown primarily for their striking foliage, which provides year-round visual interest. They grow best in bright, indirect light, above-average humidity, and consistently moist soil. Their resilience makes them easy to care for, while their tropical appearance brings year-round color to your home.

Cape primroses (Streptocarpus spp.) are ideal for anyone who wants houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs. Their colorful blooms can flower for up to ten months of the year, bringing long-lasting color to tabletops, shelves, or desks. They tolerate lower light conditions better than many flowering houseplants, although they bloom best near a bright window out of direct sunlight. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to encourage healthy growth and continuous blooms.

Button ferns (Pellaea rotundifolia) have soft, rounded foliage that brings texture and a fresh, natural look indoors. As one of many indoor plants safe for pets, they’re easy to care for once established. Keep the soil evenly moist, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings. If your home tends to be dry, a pebble tray or occasional misting can help keep button ferns looking their best.

Graceful, arching fronds make the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) a timeless favorite. As one of the easiest palms to grow indoors, it adapts well to lower light conditions and only needs watering when the top inch of soil feels dry. Because it’s also safe for cats and dogs, it’s an easy choice for pet owners looking to add a tropical touch to their home.

Haworthia (Haworthia fasciata), with its distinctive white-striped leaves, is a striking succulent that’s also remarkably easy to care for. Plant it in a container with good drainage and provide plenty of indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings, as overwatering is one of the most common causes of problems with this easy-care succulent.

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) produces vibrant blooms during the winter months but requires very little care throughout the rest of the year. To keep it looking its best, place it near a bright window and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reducing watering in the fall can help encourage its colorful winter blooms.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are known for their thin, arching, striped leaves and are among the most popular indoor plants safe for pets. Their forgiving nature makes them an excellent choice for beginners, and as they mature, they produce small plantlets that are easy to propagate. Place spider plants in a bright location away from direct sunlight and water only when the soil feels dry to the touch to help prevent leaf scorch.

String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata), also called trailing peperomia, is a trailing houseplant with long, delicate stems covered in small, round leaves patterned like tiny turtle shells. Its cascading stems make it a natural fit for hanging planters, allowing its unique foliage to spill gracefully over the edges. Allow the soil to dry before watering, and keep it in bright, filtered light to protect its delicate foliage.

Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) are known for their thin, wispy leaves and unique ability to grow without soil. Their unusual appearance makes them a fun choice for terrariums and other creative displays, and they are easy enough for beginners to enjoy. To care for air plants, soak them in water for about 30 minutes every few weeks. They also benefit from rooms with naturally higher moisture levels, such as bathrooms, where they can absorb moisture from the air.

Note: While the ASPCA doesn’t currently have an official listing for air plants, they are widely considered non-toxic and safe for both cats and dogs.

Calathea (Calathea spp.) is a pet-safe houseplant known for its bold patterns and wide, eye-catching leaves. Because it prefers higher humidity than many other houseplants, it does best in rooms with naturally higher moisture levels. Provide bright, indirect light, keep the soil lightly moist, and fertilize occasionally during the growing season to encourage healthy growth.