Best Houseplants for Dog Owners

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Dogs and plants: what's different from cats

Dogs and cats have overlapping but not identical lists of toxic plants. Some plants toxic to cats are safe for dogs and vice versa. Dogs tend to chew and consume more plant material than cats, which means even mildly irritating plants become more of a concern. Puppies and chewing-prone breeds are at higher risk than calm adult dogs that ignore plants entirely.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is the definitive reference. All plants in this guide are verified non-toxic to dogs on the ASPCA database. When in doubt about any plant, search the ASPCA toxic plant database before bringing it home.

Low light safe plants for dogs

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Non-toxic to dogs and one of the most indestructible houseplants available. It tolerates deep shade, irregular watering, and temperature fluctuations. For a dog household with a dim room where other plants fail, cast iron plant is the answer. Growth is slow but maintenance is almost zero. Water every 2 to 4 weeks.

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Non-toxic to dogs. Prayer plants have beautifully patterned leaves that fold upward at night. They prefer medium indirect light but tolerate lower light reasonably well. Keep consistently moist. Closely related to calathea with similar striking foliage at a slightly lower care level.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Non-toxic to dogs and cats. One of the most dog-friendly large plants: it tolerates low to medium light, is drought tolerant once established, and the fine feathery fronds are not particularly attractive to most dogs to chew. Water every 1 to 2 weeks. Slow growing but long-lived.

Medium light safe plants for dogs

Calathea (and Goeppertia)

Non-toxic to dogs. The most visually striking non-toxic plant group, with a huge range of patterned leaves. They need filtered water, high humidity, and consistent moisture, but reward the effort with stunning foliage that is completely safe around dogs. An east-facing window is ideal.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Non-toxic to dogs. Easy to grow, tolerates low to bright indirect light, and produces cascading spiderette plantlets. Dogs occasionally chew on the dangling plantlets, which is harmless. One of the best beginner-friendly dog-safe plants available.

Peperomia

Non-toxic to dogs. Peperomias come in many compact forms with textured, rippled, or waxy leaves. All are non-toxic, easy to care for, and tolerant of some neglect. Watermelon peperomia (P. argyreia), baby rubber plant (P. obtusifolia), and ripple peperomia (P. caperata) are popular picks.

Haworthia

Non-toxic to dogs. A small succulent that tolerates lower light than most succulents. Its compact size and firm, architectural leaves are less attractive for chewing than soft-leafed plants. Very drought tolerant. An excellent desk or shelf plant for a dog household.

Bright indirect light safe plants for dogs

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Non-toxic to dogs. The braided trunk money tree grows well in bright indirect light with moderate watering. A striking large plant that poses no risk to dogs.

Hoya (Wax Plant)

Non-toxic to dogs. Hoyas are slow-growing trailing or climbing plants with thick waxy leaves that produce clusters of sweet-scented star-shaped flowers. Drought tolerant and easy to care for. The firm, waxy leaves are not particularly appealing for dogs to chew.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Non-toxic to dogs. One of the most lush and dramatic ferns for indoor growing. The soft fronds can be attractive to dogs to chew, but they are completely harmless. Boston ferns need high humidity and consistent moisture; a bathroom with a window or regular misting keeps them healthy.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Non-toxic to dogs and cats. The areca palm produces long, arching fronds in a full, tropical silhouette. It tolerates medium to bright indirect light and needs consistent moisture. A good large dog-safe plant for a bright room.

Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Non-toxic to dogs. Moth orchids bloom for months at a time with bright indirect light and weekly soaking. The flowers and leaves are completely safe if a dog chews on them. A low-mess, beautiful, dog-safe flowering plant.

Bright light safe plants for dogs

Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Non-toxic to dogs. Air plants grow with no soil, eliminating the risk of a dog digging in the pot or ingesting soil. They can be mounted on driftwood, displayed in terrariums, or placed on decorative stands. Completely safe and no soil to disturb.

Echeveria succulents

Most Echeveria species are non-toxic to dogs. The firm, compact rosette form is less appealing to chew than trailing or leafy plants. Needs bright light. Note that aloe and jade plant (Crassula ovata) are NOT safe for dogs; verify individual succulent species before assuming safety.

Common toxic plants to avoid or keep completely out of reach

Sago palm deserves special emphasis: even a small amount of any part of the plant (seeds, leaves, roots) can cause severe liver failure and death in dogs. Never bring a sago palm indoors in a dog household under any circumstances.