Indoor plants and pets can live safely side by side, if you check the Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats & Dogs from the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.) Even though many plants are recommended as non-toxic to pets, it’s still advised to place these plants out of reach if your pets are overly curious or chew-happy.
- PEPEROMIA (Peperomia): These diverse, low maintenance, tropical plants are known for their thick succulent-like leaves and compact size. Peperomia are ideal indoor plants for beginners, preferring bright, indirect light, moderate humidity, and infrequent watering, as they are susceptible to root rot, if overwatered. Popular varieties include ‘Watermelon’, ‘Ripple’, and ‘String of Turtles.’
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Infrequent watering, moderate humidity
- Size: Compact and slow growing, generally reaching 8″ wide by 15″ tall at maturity.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced, water soluble liquid plant fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 2-2-2. Apply at half-strength once a month during the growing seasons of spring and summer.
2. GOLDFISH PLANT (Hypocyrta nummularia): This trailing houseplant is especially interesting with a combination of glossy, green leaves and unique puffy orange flowers that resemble leaping goldfish.
- Light: Bright, indirect light. Filtered sunlight sunlight of an east- or west-facing window.
- Water: Water when top 1-2″ of soil is dry. Water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain. Empty saucer to prevent root rot.
- Size: Reaches 1-3′ tall by 1-3′ wide
- Fertilizer: Recommended fertilizers include Espoma Organic Indoor!, Schulz Liquid Plant Food Plus, and Jack’s Houseplant Special.
3. PARLOR or NEANTHE BELLA PALM (Chamaedorea elegans): The Parlor Palm is one of the most popular houseplant palms in the world. This single-stemmed palm sports light green and airy fronds that purify the air and is safe for cats & dogs. It’s a slow grower and tolerates lower light than most other palms.
- Light: Low-to-bright indirect light
- Water: Underwatering a Parlor Palm is better than overwatering. Water well, then wait until the surface and an inch or so below the soil surface has dried out. Water well again.
- Size: Matures to 3-4′ tall indoors or up to 9′ in an ideal environment.
- Fertilizer: For mature plants, feed once every couple of months. For younger plants, plants will be happy with receiving fertilizer about once a month.
4. BURRO’S TAIL (Sedum morganianum): This succulent is an excellent houseplant for beginners, thriving on a consistent supply of bright sunlight and well-draining soil. Also known as Donkey’s Tail, the Burro’s Tail plants are members of the Sedum family. The long trailing succulent leaves look like rope or a burro’s tail. They’re ideal for people who forget to water their plants.
- Light: Bright light
- Water: Water when top 2″ of soil is dry.
- Size: A grouping of trailing vines mature up to 48″ long and 24″
- Fertilizer: During the warm growing season, feed with a cactus-style plant food.
5. AFRICAN VIOLET (Saintpaulia): As one of the most popular flowering houseplants, African violets are loved for their brightly colored flowers and soft, furry leaves that absorb humidity. There are many varieties with 1″ wide single or double flowers in varying colors: Purple-violet, blue, pink, rose, white, bi-color and more.
- Light: Bright to medium, indirect lighting from east- to north-facing window
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist to slightly dry. Supply extra humidity with a shallow tray of moistened pebbles. Bottom watering is recommended.
- Size: Varies from small 6″ miniatures to larger plants over 16″ in diameter.
- Fertilizer: Feed with African violet food once a month or use 1/4 strength of a multi-purpose fertilizer every time you water.
Looking for more pet friendly, indoor plants?
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Cavendish Banana Tree (Musa acuminata ‘Cavendish’)
Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
