| Indoor Plant | Common Varieties | Pet-Friendly | Toxic to Pets | Effects on Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider Plant | Variegated, Curly | Yes | No | Non-toxic; cats may show a mild attraction similar to catnip, but safe for consumption. |
| Aloe Vera | Standard, Chinensis | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy if ingested due to toxic saponins. |
| Snake Plant | Laurentii, Moonshine, Cylindrica | No | Yes | Causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested due to saponins. |
| Peace Lily | Mauna Loa, Sensation | No | Yes | Causes mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing due to calcium oxalate crystals. |
| Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) | Golden, Marble Queen, Neon | No | Yes | Causes oral irritation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing if ingested due to calcium oxalates. |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | No | Yes | Causes vomiting and diarrhea due to calcium oxalates in the plant's sap. |
| Jade Plant | Crassula ovata, Hobbit | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, lethargy, incoordination if ingested. |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Ficus lyrata | No | Yes | Causes oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing due to sap toxicity. |
| Philodendron | Heartleaf, Brasil, Xanadu | No | Yes | Causes oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing due to calcium oxalate crystals. |
| Rubber Plant | Ficus elastica, Robusta | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, drooling, and skin irritation if ingested or touched. |
| Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exaltata | Yes | No | Pet-friendly and non-toxic, safe for both cats and dogs. |
| Areca Palm | Dypsis lutescens | Yes | No | Non-toxic and safe for pets, commonly used as an air purifier in homes. |
| Calathea | Medallion, Orbifolia, Zebrina | Yes | No | Non-toxic and pet-safe; known for its beautiful, patterned leaves. |
| Parlor Palm | Chamaedorea elegans | Yes | No | Non-toxic and safe for pets, another popular air-purifying plant. |
| Cast Iron Plant | Aspidistra elatior | Yes | No | Non-toxic and pet-safe; ideal for low-light environments. |
| Chinese Money Plant | Pilea peperomioides | Yes | No | Pet-friendly and non-toxic, easy to care for and propagate. |
| Prayer Plant | Maranta leuconeura | Yes | No | Safe for pets, non-toxic, with striking leaf patterns. |
| Dracaena | Warneckii, Marginata, Reflexa | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, excessive drooling, and lack of appetite due to saponins in the leaves. |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa, Adansonii | No | Yes | Causes oral irritation, excessive drooling, and vomiting due to calcium oxalate crystals. |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and salivation when ingested. |
| Lucky Bamboo | Dracaena sanderiana | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, drooling, and weakness due to toxicity similar to other Dracaena species. |
| Christmas Cactus | Schlumbergera bridgesii | Yes | No | Non-toxic and pet-safe; an excellent choice for indoor plant lovers with pets. |
| Dumb Cane | Dieffenbachia | No | Yes | Causes severe mouth irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and swelling due to calcium oxalates. |
| Begonia | Rex, Tuberous | No | Yes | Causes vomiting, salivation, and kidney failure in severe cases due to soluble calcium oxalates. |
| African Violet | Saintpaulia | Yes | No | Non-toxic and safe for pets, a popular flowering indoor plant. |
| Hoya (Wax Plant) | Hoya carnosa, Krimson Queen | Yes | No | Safe for pets, non-toxic, with thick, waxy leaves. |
| Bird’s Nest Fern | Asplenium nidus | Yes | No | Non-toxic and safe for pets, great for bathrooms and low-light spaces. |
| Silver Inch Plant | Tradescantia zebrina | No | Yes | Causes dermatitis or skin irritation in pets. |
| Dwarf Banana Plant | Musa acuminata | Yes | No | Non-toxic and pet-safe; produces edible bananas if well-cared for. |
| Polka Dot Plant | Hypoestes phyllostachya | Yes | No | Safe for pets and non-toxic, easy to grow with vibrant spotted leaves. |
| Staghorn Fern | Platycerium bifurcatum | Yes | No | Pet-safe and non-toxic, often mounted on walls. |
| Air Plant | Tillandsia | Yes | No | Non-toxic and safe for pets, easy to grow with no need for soil. |
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum raddianum | Yes | No | Non-toxic and pet-friendly; delicate foliage needs humid conditions. |
| Fittonia | Nerve Plant | Yes | No | Pet-safe and non-toxic, known for its colorful veined leaves. |
Key Takeaways:
- Pet-Friendly Indoor Plants: Plants like spider plants, Boston ferns, calatheas, and prayer plants are all safe for pets and can be kept indoors without concern.
- Toxic Indoor Plants: Popular varieties like aloe vera, snake plants, pothos, and dracaena species are toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach or replaced with pet-friendly alternatives.
Always keep plants out of reach from curious pets and contact your vet immediately if you suspect plant ingestion.
