I don’t know about your cats, but mine love causing trouble. They’re constantly getting into things they shouldn’t, scratching the carpeting, and chewing things like teething puppies. So of course, I have a strict rule about toxic plants. None of them are coming into this house!

Though it can be difficult to find definitive answers about which plants aren’t toxic, I only buy plants that I know for certain are safe. My main resource is this list from the ASPCA. It shows plant toxicity toward cats, dogs, and horses. Though it’s not inclusive of every single plant out there, it’s the most comprehensive list I’ve found.

Luckily, there are a ton of gorgeous houseplants that won’t hurt our cats and dogs, even if they happen to take a bite. While most plants have a chance of upsetting your pet’s stomach, there aren’t likely to be any lasting or deathly effects.

1. Echeveria

There are so many gorgeous types of Echeveria. Many of them are common to find, and cheap as well, although dedicated plant collectors can certainly find a wide range of more expensive varieties. Some of my favorite affordable Echeverias are Echeveria Lola, Echeveria Black Prince, and Echeveria Perle Von Nurnberg.

2. Calathea

Calathea is another plant that comes in many varieties. Each has a different pattern on top of the leaves, usually with a plum-purple underside. They almost look unreal, as if an artist painted on the leaves with acrylics. The patterns are amazing, and personally, I cannot resist the pink ones!

3. Graptopetalum (Ghost Plant)

Ghost plants are my favorite succulent. Their leaves are chubby and round, they’re easy to care for, and you really can’t go wrong with them. They look nice when kept compact and small, and I also adore them when they’re left to grow out, trailing and stemming off with little “plant babies.”

4. Tillandsia (Air Plant)

Air plants are extremely different to your usual houseplant, and they do take some getting used to. They don’t need dirt at all (hence their name), which makes them great to display—there are so many options!

To water, they just need to be submerged in water for some time, dried off (so they don’t develop rot), and put back in their place.

Air plants are also super cheap. I can find small ones for about $2 here!

5. Majesty Palm

There are a lot of non-toxic palms, but I chose this one as it became a wishlist item for me the moment I saw it. These trees are so pretty! Their leaves are a great shape, and they’re the perfect tall, bushy green plant.

It’s not always easy to find plants that we like, and that don’t hurt our pets. I hope this short list helped you find a new plant or at least something to add to your wish list!

Keep in mind that while these plants are non-toxic, it’s still best to try and keep plants out of our pets reach when possible. It’s good for your pet’s stomach, your plant’s wellbeing, and you—so you don’t have to look at chew marks on the leaves!

Let me know if you’d like to see more posts like this. What’s your favorite non-toxic houseplant?