7 Best Pet-Friendly Houseplants for Beginners
Houseplants and pets can absolutely live together.
You just need to choose the right plants.
Many popular houseplants can be irritating or toxic if cats or dogs chew on them, so pet owners should pay attention to plant safety before bringing something new into the home.
Fortunately, there are plenty of beautiful houseplants that are considered pet-friendly and still easy enough for beginners.
Here are 7 pet-friendly houseplants to consider for a home with cats or dogs.
Shop Pet-Friendly Houseplants →
1. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant Reverse is one of the best beginner plants for pet owners.
It has long arching leaves, grows quickly, and can produce small baby plants called spiderettes.
Most importantly for pet households, Ethereal lists the Spider Plant Reverse as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Why beginners love it
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Pet-friendly
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Easy to grow
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Fast growing
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Easy to propagate
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Great for hanging planters
Spider Plants are especially good in hanging baskets or on higher shelves where their leaves can trail naturally.
2. Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm is a classic indoor plant with soft green fronds and a tropical appearance.
It has been grown indoors for generations because it adapts well to household conditions and does not require intense direct sunlight.
Ethereal currently includes the Parlor Palm in its pet-friendly plant collection.
Why beginners love it
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Pet-friendly option
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Tropical appearance
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Handles indirect light
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Works well indoors
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Beginner friendly
A Parlor Palm is a great choice if you want something larger and more tropical without choosing a demanding plant.
3. Prayer Plant
Prayer Plants are known for their colorful patterned foliage and the way their leaves can shift position throughout the day.
Ethereal's pet-friendly collection currently includes several Maranta varieties, including Red Prayer and Lemon Lime.
Why beginners like them
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Pet-friendly
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Colorful foliage
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Compact growth
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Excellent tabletop plant
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Unique leaf movement
Prayer Plants generally appreciate consistent moisture and indirect light, so they require a little more attention than Spider Plants but are still a great option for someone who wants colorful foliage.
Shop Pet-Friendly Houseplants →
4. Calathea
Calatheas are popular for their dramatic leaf patterns.
Ethereal currently carries pet-friendly options such as Calathea 'Green Goddess' and Calathea Concinna 'Freddie' in its pet-friendly collection.
Why people love them
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Pet-friendly
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Bold patterned foliage
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Beautiful indoor color
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Great decorative plant
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Works well in indirect light
Calatheas do appreciate more consistent humidity and moisture than some of the easiest beginner plants.
If you're willing to pay a little more attention to watering and humidity, they can be a beautiful pet-safe addition to your home.
5. Ponytail Palm
Despite its name, the Ponytail Palm isn't a true palm.
It has a thick base that stores water and long, narrow leaves that arch outward.
Ethereal currently includes Ponytail Palm in its pet-friendly collection.
Why beginners love it
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Pet-friendly option
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Drought tolerant
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Doesn't require frequent watering
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Unique appearance
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Great for bright rooms
Ponytail Palms are especially good for people who tend to forget to water.
Their water-storing base helps them tolerate drier conditions.
Shop Pet-Friendly Houseplants →
6. Autumn Fern
If you want softer foliage, the Autumn Fern is another option.
Ethereal lists Autumn Fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Its new fronds can emerge with copper or reddish tones before maturing to green, giving the plant a little more color and texture than many traditional ferns.
Why pet owners like it
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Non-toxic to cats and dogs
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Beautiful textured foliage
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Works in lower indirect light
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Adds a woodland look indoors
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Great for shaded spaces
Ferns generally appreciate more consistent moisture than drought-tolerant plants, so keep an eye on the soil.
7. Pet-Friendly Plant Bundle
If you're not sure which plant to choose, Ethereal also offers a Pet-Friendly Variety Bundle.
The bundle is designed specifically for households looking for pet-friendly plants and includes a mix of houseplants selected from Ethereal's pet-friendly collection.
Why it makes sense for beginners
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Multiple plants in one order
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Designed for pet-friendly homes
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Easy way to start a collection
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Different plant varieties
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Great gift option
If you want more than one plant and don't want to choose each individually, a bundle can make getting started much easier.
Shop the Pet-Friendly Variety Bundle →
What Houseplants Are Safe for Cats and Dogs?
Some popular pet-friendly choices include:
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Spider Plants
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Parlor Palms
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Prayer Plants
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Certain Calatheas
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Ponytail Palms
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Many true ferns
Always identify the exact plant species before assuming a plant is safe.
Common plant names can sometimes be misleading, and plants that look similar may have very different safety profiles.
You can browse Ethereal's dedicated Pet-Friendly Plant Collection →.
Are Spider Plants Safe for Cats?
Yes.
The Spider Plant Reverse sold by Ethereal is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
That makes Spider Plants one of the easiest choices for pet owners who also want a beginner-friendly plant.
Their hanging growth is another advantage because you can easily place them in baskets or on shelves.
Are All Houseplants Safe for Pets?
No.
Some extremely popular houseplants are not considered pet-safe if eaten.
That means pet owners should not assume that a plant is safe simply because it is common.
If you have a cat or dog that likes chewing plants, choosing known pet-friendly species is the safest approach.
Even with non-toxic plants, eating large amounts of leaves can still upset an animal's stomach.
Keeping plants out of reach is still a good idea if your pet likes chewing on greenery.
What Popular Houseplants Are Not Pet-Friendly?
Several common houseplants should be treated differently in homes with curious pets.
For example, many plants in groups such as:
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Pothos
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Philodendron
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Aloe
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Dieffenbachia
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Snake Plant
may cause problems if chewed or swallowed by pets.
If your cat or dog is interested in plants, choose from a dedicated pet-friendly collection instead of assuming that every beginner plant is safe.
Shop Pet-Friendly Houseplants →
What Is the Easiest Pet-Friendly Houseplant?
For a complete beginner, the Spider Plant is one of the strongest options.
It is:
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Easy to grow
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Fast growing
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Adaptable
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Easy to propagate
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Non-toxic to cats and dogs
The Spider Plant Reverse is especially useful if you want something easy enough for your first houseplant.
What Is the Best Pet-Friendly Plant for Someone Who Forgets to Water?
Consider a Ponytail Palm.
Its enlarged base stores water, helping it tolerate dry periods better than plants that require constantly moist soil.
That makes it a much better match for someone who doesn't want to water frequently.
Browse Ethereal's Pet-Friendly Collection → to see currently available options.
Where Should You Put Pet-Friendly Plants?
Even pet-safe plants can benefit from smart placement.
Good locations include:
Hanging planters
Perfect for Spider Plants and other trailing varieties.
Plant stands
Keeps plants visible while giving them dedicated space.
Shelves
Great for smaller plants and helps protect foliage from playful pets.
Near bright windows
Many indoor plants prefer bright indirect light.
Just make sure your pet can't easily knock the pot over.
Pet-Friendly Doesn't Mean Your Pet Should Eat It
A plant being considered non-toxic doesn't mean it should become part of your pet's diet.
Pets can still experience stomach upset after eating too much plant material.
Whenever possible, discourage chewing and keep plants away from animals that constantly investigate them.
If you suspect your pet has eaten a plant and you're unsure whether it is safe, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service.
You Can Have Pets and Houseplants
Being a pet owner doesn't mean you have to choose between animals and greenery.
You simply need to choose plants more carefully.
A Spider Plant on a shelf, a Parlor Palm in the living room, or a colorful Prayer Plant can bring greenery into your home while keeping pet safety in mind.
At Ethereal Company, we've made it easier by putting pet-friendly options together in one collection.
Ready to Find a Pet-Friendly Houseplant?
Explore plants selected for homes shared with cats, dogs, and plant lovers.
