Best houseplants for dog owners
Dogs are usually less interested in houseplants than cats, but puppies, terriers, and certain breeds will chew anything. These picks are non-toxic to dogs per the ASPCA and chosen for being either tall enough to be out of reach (statement floor plants) or sturdy enough to survive a wagging tail.
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Money Tree Pachira aquatica
Pet-safe Bright indirectSturdy braided trunk and leaves dogs rarely touch.
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Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Pet-safe Bright indirect Drought-tolerantIn a hanging basket, completely out of dog reach. On a stand, dogs may nose at the trailing pups.
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Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
Pet-safe Bright indirectFloor plant tall enough that most dogs lose interest. Pet-safe even if they nibble a frond.
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Bromeliad Aechmea fasciata
Pet-safe Bright indirect Drought-tolerantPet-safe AND flowering — rare combo. The waxy leaves resist puppy teeth surprisingly well.
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Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans
Pet-safe Medium indirect Drought-tolerantCompact pet-safe palm for apartments where a 2.5m Areca will not fit.
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Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium nidus
Pet-safe Medium indirectCompact rosette habit — sits naturally above wagging-tail height on a plant stand without needing to be hung.
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Watermelon Peperomia Peperomia argyreia
Pet-safe Medium indirect Drought-tolerantSmall desk-friendly size keeps it out of most dogs' reach on a shelf. Striped leaves are a conversation piece.
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Air Plant Tillandsia ionantha
Pet-safe Bright indirectNo soil to dig in, can be displayed in glass or wall-mounted — designed to be out of dog reach.
Honorable mentions
More plants in our database that fit this criteria but did not make the top 8.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
- Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
- String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
- Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
- Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
- Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Calathea (Calathea orbifolia)
- African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
- Echeveria (Echeveria elegans)
- Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
- Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
- Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
- Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia)
- Sweetheart Plant (Hoya kerrii)
- Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
- Haworthia (Haworthia cooperi)
- Lithops (Lithops aucampiae)
- Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)
- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
- Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata)
Final word
Train puppies away from plants early. Pet-safe just means it will not poison them — dogs that eat dirt or chew leaves can still need a vet visit for blockages.