15 Houseplants That Are Beautiful AND Safe For Cats And Dogs

    Toxic? No. Gorgeous? Yes.

    Tom Vellner
    by Tom Vellner

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hello there. If you think your pets are holding you back from owning the beautiful houseplants of your dreams, I'm here to tell you: YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.

    @infinitesucculent / Via instagram.com

    It's natural to worry that having plants might harm your pets since there are so many poisonous ones out there, but fear not! There are lots of non-toxic ones that won't harm your curious critters if they take a little nibble. Of course, ingesting any plant material could still give them an upset stomach, so keep an eye on them like the good pet parent you are and make sure they're not chowin' down on an entire plant for dinner.

    Here are some pet-friendly plants that are safe for your cat or dog to cuddle up to (and how to care for them):

    1. Bird's nest fern

    @pottedparadise / Via instagram.com

    If you're thinking, "OK, sure, these plants are pet-friendly, but I also don't get much sunlight!" DO I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU. The bird's nest fern does very well in low-light situations, and since it's used to growing on anything from tree trunks to buildings, you can feel free to pot it or fix it to a plank and hang it on a wall.

    Sun: Low to medium light

    Water: Weekly

    2. Calathea rattlesnake

    @caseyscasa / Via instagram.com

    You probably already thought the rattlesnake plant was cool because it's pet-friendly and has some killer stripes, but you'll also be fascinated by its leaf movements. Because of a flux of water pressure in the nodes at the base of its leaves, it raises and lowers them from day to night! So, when you close up shop and hit the hay, so will your lil' rattlesnake buddy.

    Sun: Low to bright indirect light

    Water: Weekly

    3. Spider plant

    Kodachrome25 / Getty Images

    Spider plants are another variety that can thrive in low light while keeping your pets company. They're also known to sprout spider plant babies, which you can pluck off and propagate in water or soil (and then tell all of your friends you're a plant OBGYN).

    Sun: Medium to bright indirect sunlight

    Water: Weekly

    4. Parlor palm

    @themodernhouseplant / Via instagram.com

    You might hear "palm" and think of a sunny, balmy climate, but the parlor palm has actually been prized since the Victorian era for its resilience to indoor conditions. It can also grow to six-feet tall with the right amount care. Just don't repot it too often — its roots like to relax (same).

    Sun: Low to bright indirect light

    Water: Weekly

    5. Staghorn fern

    @verdurouswomen / Via instagram.com

    Just like the bird's nest fern, the staghorn fern is a really popular plant for fixing to a plank and hanging on a wall, where it looks an awful lot like mounted antlers. Cool, right? Also, pro tip: Leave the dead shields on your staghorn because they help it regulate water.

    Sun: Medium to bright indirect light

    Water: About every 1–2 weeks

    6. Haworthia zebra

    @afloraborealis / Via instagram.com

    If you're someone who can never remember to water your plants, this lil' zebra is for you. It's used to desert conditions (it's so closely related to aloe that they can cross-breed and create hybrid plants!!!), so as long as it's getting plenty of sun, you only have to remember to water it every few weeks.

    Sun: Bright direct light

    Water: About every 2-3 weeks in full sun

    7. Xerographica air plant

    @sammychh / Via instagram.com

    FYI, all air plants are pet-friendly, but look how amazing the silvery xerographica is! Also, air plants don't even need to be rooted in soil, you just get yourself a cute hanging or mounted holder and you're good to go.

    Sun: Bright direct light

    Water: Weekly

    8. Money tree

    @namoo_la / Via instagram.com

    The money tree is another great choice for all you neglectful plant parents out there. It's ~grown~ in popularity because it can bounce back even if you ignore it for a while. If you do take good care of it, this cutie will grow big and strong.

    Sun: Medium to bright indirect light

    Water: About every 1-2 weeks

    9. Peperomia green

    @iheartplant / Via instagram.com

    Continuing with the trend of plants that are basically immortal, not only can you easily propagate the peperomia by cutting off its leaves, it can also regenerate after completely dying. So, yeah, even the blackest of thumbs can probably manage this one!

    Sun: Low to bright indirect light

    Water: Weekly

    10. Echeveria lola

    @jenssuccs / Via instagram.com

    This gorgeous plant can literally grow out of cracks in rocks, so it should do perfectly fine in your home. It's also just really beautiful — even though it's so abundant in its natural habitat that it's practically considered a weed.

    Sun: Bright direct light

    Water: About every 2-3 weeks in full sun

    11. Boston fern

    Patarapong / Getty Images

    First of all, Boston ferns look so damn good in hanging baskets. That's where they live their best life. Second, they love humidity. So, if you're keeping it indoors, you can either display it in your bathroom so it can absorb all that steam, mist it daily, or run a humidifier. You could also try one of these self-watering hacks for an even simpler approach.

    Sun: Medium indirect light

    Water: Keep soil consistently moist

    12. Bamboo palm

    @planthoarder_ / Via instagram.com

    A bamboo palm will add those ~tropical vibes~ you love to your home — and without much effort on your part. All you have to do is water it a few times a week, keep it out of full sun, and if it's lookin' a little cramped in its pot, just bump it up to a larger holder. It'll even purify the air in your home!

    Sun: Bright indirect light

    Water: 1-3 waterings weekly

    13. Prayer plant

    @dnevnadozabiljaka / Via instagram.com

    The name of this one ~stems~ from the fact that prayer plants' leaves lay flat during the day and then fold upward at night. Neat! Also neat: They're perfect for dimmer rooms in your home, as they thrive in low light. Those pink patterns are also super stylish — just sayin'.

    Sun: Low to medium light

    Water: Keep soil consistently moist

    14. Swedish ivy

    @_t__h__o__m__a__s_ / Via instagram.com

    Swedish ivy is sort of a liar because it isn't Swedish or an ivy, but we love it anyway. It looks incredible in a hanging planter and it's easy to take care of: It can handle low light and as long as you water it once a week, it'll keep on growin'. Its other nickname is Creeping Charlie, which is...unsettling.

    Sun: Bright indirect light

    Water: Weekly

    15. Cast iron plant

    @amy_snoek / Via instagram.com

    Cast iron plants are native to the forest floors of Japan and Taiwan — aka they're used to very little sunlight — so they won't mind a dim home. Direct sunlight can actually burn their leaves, so you should keep them near north-facing windows to prevent that, or just place them away from any windows at all. If you listen closely, you can hear them whisper, "Hello, darkness, my old friend."

    Sun: Besides direct light, any exposure will do

    Water: Let soil dry out between waterings

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