As pet parents, we love making our homes cozy, inviting, and beautiful, and houseplants are often a big part of that. But if you have furry family members, it’s essential to choose your plants carefully. While some plants are perfectly safe and even beneficial, others can be dangerously toxic.

In this post, we’ll share three pet-friendly plants that you can safely bring into your home, plus two plants you’ll definitely want to avoid to keep your pets happy and healthy.

🌿 3 Safe, Pet-Friendly Houseplants

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are not only pet-safe, but they're also incredibly easy to care for—perfect for busy pet owners! They’re excellent air purifiers, helping to remove toxins from your home environment.

Care Tips:

• Moderate indirect sunlight

• Water about once a week

• Can thrive in hanging pots (keeps curious paws away!)

2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns are lush, beautiful, and completely non-toxic. They add vibrant greenery and humidity to indoor spaces, benefiting both you and your pets.

Care Tips:

• Bright, indirect light

• Keep soil consistently moist (but not soggy!)

• Thrives in higher humidity areas like bathrooms or kitchens

3. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Not only pet-safe but also known as a symbol of prosperity and good luck, the Money Tree is easy to grow and makes a perfect addition to your living room or office space.

Care Tips:

• Indirect, medium-to-bright light

• Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering

• Rotate occasionally to encourage even growth

❌ 2 Common Houseplants to Avoid

Unfortunately, some popular houseplants can be harmful or even toxic if your pets ingest them. Here are two common culprits you’ll want to steer clear of:

1. Lilies (Lilium species) – Extremely Toxic to Cats, Risky for Dogs

Lilies are stunning and often used in floral arrangements or planted in home gardens, but for households with pets, especially cats, they can be fatally toxic.

🌸 Which lilies are dangerous?

• Highly toxic to cats: Easter lilies, Tiger lilies, Day lilies, Asiatic lilies, and Japanese Show lilies

• Mildly toxic to dogs: Peace lilies, Calla lilies, and Lily of the Valley (not true lilies, but still toxic)

📌 Important: Even a tiny amount, like licking pollen off their fur or drinking from a vase of lily water, can be life-threatening to cats.

In Cats:

• Dangerous dose: As little as one to two petals, or exposure to the water in a lily vase

• Symptoms:

  • Vomiting

  • Drooling

  • Lethargy

  • Loss of appetite

  • Acute kidney failure within 36–72 hours if untreated

⚠️ Emergency: Lily poisoning in cats is a true medical emergency. If you suspect any contact, seek veterinary care immediately.

In Dogs:

• True lilies are generally less toxic to dogs, but ingestion can still cause:

  • Upset stomach

  • Drooling

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Dogs typically need to ingest a larger amount of plant material to experience moderate symptoms, but it’s still best to avoid them entirely.

🛑 Bottom Line:

• Absolutely NO lilies for cat households.

• Avoid lilies in homes with dogs, or place them well out of reach and monitor closely.

• If you're gifted a bouquet, check for lilies before setting it down!

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – Only Dangerous If Eaten

Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are a common houseplant thanks to their hardiness and beautiful trailing vines. The good news? They're not toxic just by being around your pets.

❗The concern is if your dog or cat chews or eats the plant. Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach lining.

Symptoms if eaten:

• Drooling

• Pawing at the mouth

• Vomiting

• Decreased appetite

• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat

How much is dangerous?

• Small nibbles may cause mild, temporary irritation.

• Larger amounts—especially if ingested by small animals or over multiple exposures—can result in more severe symptoms like prolonged vomiting or difficulty breathing (due to swelling).

• Toxic dose thresholds vary, but even a couple of leaves can cause moderate symptoms in cats or small dogs. Always monitor for reactions and call your vet if ingestion occurs.

🛑 Pro Tip: If your pet has a chewing habit, it’s best to avoid pothos altogether or place it in a secure, out-of-reach location like a high shelf or hanging planter.

🌱 Pet-Friendly Plant Safety Tips

• Always double-check plant toxicity before buying.

• Place houseplants out of pets’ reach—high shelves or hanging pots work best.

• Observe your pet’s behavior around plants, and remove anything that triggers an interest in chewing.

• If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately.

🐾 Healthy Pets, Beautiful Homes

At Buddy Sweets, we care deeply about pet safety and wellbeing. Choosing pet-friendly plants means you can enjoy the benefits of greenery without worrying about your furry family members.

Looking for more tips on pet safety or health? Follow our blog or reach out anytime—we’re always here to help!

Interested in pet-safe houseplants? Visit our retail shop—we often carry pet-friendly plant accessories and safe gardening solutions.

📌 Did you find this helpful? Share this post to help other pet parents keep their homes beautiful and safe!

Click below for a list of pet-friendly plants. Feel free to contact us and see what plants we have in stock!