Pet Friendly Houseplants

I have read that houseplants improve the quality of our indoor air but when one has children and/or pets you need to be careful as to which plants you bring into your home. 

Here’s a selection of easy to find houseplants that improve indoor air quality and are also non-toxic to both cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.

Bamboo Palm - Chamaedorea elegans (Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm, Parlor Palm, Good Luck Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm)

Banana Plant - Musa acuminata (Edible Banana, Plantain Tree, Banana Palm)

Spider Plant - Chlorophytum comosum (Ribbon Plant, Anthericum, Spider Ivy)

Areca Palm - Dypsis lutescens or Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (Golden Cane Palm, Golden Butterfly Palm, Cane Palm, Golden Feather Palm, Yellow Palm)

Kentia Palm- Howea forsteriana (Thatch Palm, Forster Senty Palm)

American Rubber Plant – Peperomia Obtusifolia (Pepper Face, Baby Rubber Plant)

African Violet – Saintpaulia (Cape Marigold)

Dwarf Date Palm - Phoenix acaulis

Pygmy Date Palm – Phoenix robelenii (Miniature Date Palm, Robellini Palm)

Hoya - Hoya kerrii – (Wax Hearts, Valentine Hoya)

Orchids - Orchidaceae – Many orchids are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, but since there are so many different kinds, check your particular variety to be sure.

* Some individuals who are mold sensitized may not be able to tolerate potential mold growth in the soil of houseplants. Using terra-cotta pots instead of plastic ones should encourage proper moisture evaporation for those of you who are not mold sensitive but wish to optimize health conditions.

***  Before you bring a plant into your home, please "google" the name of the plant to make sure it is safe for children and/or animals.  We definitely want to make sure our children and pets are safe at all times.  

ASPCA searchable database of toxic and non-toxic plants

NASA report on Indoor Air Quality and plants