When selecting indoor plants for the home, you consider the environment you are bringing them into, the desired aesthetic of the space, and the seasonality that can impact their well-being. And for those of us with fur friends and pets, we must also consider how our plants can impact their health as there are many toxic plants that can harm your four-legged friends. A standard Google search for “pet-friendly plants” results in many articles about the hundreds of non-toxic plants to choose from. Yet, we are hard-pressed to find a comprehensive guide that organizes these safe plants into important categories like proper light conditions and ease of care or size. 

So, we decided to do it ourselves. Here is the holy grail to caring for your non-toxic, totally pet-friendly plants according to their size, light requirements, and humidity. 

LIGHT : Low

Small Plants

Medium to low light is recommended for the following plants, which you can place 6 feet away from a window and in a room that only gets sunlight for part of the day. Too much sunlight can cause leaf scorch, yet too little will result in poor flowering and leaf drop. The best rooms for placement are typically east -and west-facing rooms or south-facing rooms with tree coverage or if the sun is blocked from entering the room. 

Birds Nest Fern

Known for their long fronds that grow from the plant’s central rosette, these warm-weather plants need plenty of humidity. They also need plenty of water but avoid watering the center of the plant as that can cause mold to grow. Water them when the top inch of soil is dry and avoid letting them sit in soggy soil. Protect plants from cool drafts, like AC units, and to raise their levels of moisture, place them near a humidifier—trust us, your gorgeous green friends will thank you.

Spider Plant

A fan favorite for it is one of the most adaptable and easy-to-care-for houseplants out there. Provide them with well-drained potting soil and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Water well, but be mindful not to overwater, especially if they are in a low light space. Fun fact: The spider plant is named because of the spiderettes it produces, which often start out as small white flowers and turn into little baby spider plants, making them easy to propagate into new plants. 

LIGHT: Low

Large Plants

Medium to low light is recommended for the following plants, which you can place 6 feet away from a window and in a room that only gets sunlight for part of the day. Too much sunlight can cause leaf scorch, yet too little will result in poor flowering and leaf drop. The best rooms for placement are typically east -and west-facing rooms or south-facing rooms with tree coverage or if the sun is blocked from entering the room. 

Parlor Palm

Native to rainforest regions, these lively and lush palms require even moisture but be mindful to not overwater, erring on the side of too dry than too wet. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, noticing that yellow fronds indicate they are thirsty. Regularly use a humidifier or frequent spritzing to keep moisture high. They will thrive with average humidity, so in dry climates, it may suffer. If your palm begins to develop dry leaf margins or brown tips, it’s most likely due to cold drafts or prolonged dry periods. Raise the humidity in these circumstances before overwatering. 


Cast Iron

We love this plant's waxy, green leaves and the fact that they grow very well in most indoor home/office environments. They actually thrive with a “less is more” approach. Maintain a moderate amount of soil moisture by watering after the top few inches of soil feels dry. They like moderate humidity but it’s not necessary in order for these plants to show healthy growth. 

LIGHT: Medium-Bright Indirect

Small-Medium Plants

These plants love their sunlight and lots of it. Try placing them in south-facing rooms with a lot of bouncing light or close to a window where they will receive bright light throughout the day. They can also do very well directly next to a north-facing window. 

Hoyas

These slow-growing, vining plants are celebrated for their lovely and shiny leaves that can easily elevate a space from plain to vibrant.  Fun fact: When they flower, they can sometimes give off chocolate, vanilla, or cinnamon scents.

Ferns
This tropical plant is considered a common houseplant as it is quite easy to caretake. Specially keen on warm, humid conditions it is important to keep plants away from drafts, AC units, or vents. Creating a consistent environment for the plant to grow in is essential, so avoid variables than can impact its wellbeing. A humidifier is recommended as the plant thrives in 80% humidity or you can place your plant on a pebble tray with water and provide regular misting to the leaves. Keep the soil lightly moist with weekly waterings and avoid dried soil as the plant’s foliage will cease. 

Chinese Money Plant

These low-maintenance plants are fairly forgiving and often thrive even with minimal attention. They have medium to high water needs, so water them when the top couple of inches of soil is dry or if leaves begin to droop. They like to be moist but can handle some drought and remember to aerate these plants. With a fair amount of tolerance to dry climates, they can also withstand high humidity but do not require it. Tip: They tend towards legginess and have brittle stems. To encourage bushiness, pinch off the tops, or let them grow tall. 

Calatheas

This lovely variety will actually raise their leaves in the evening and lower them throughout the day. They require a high level of humidity, so mist them regularly with water and keep them in a bathroom with a shower or near a humidifier. When watering, let them dry out 10% before and then provide enough water so it comes out the drainage hole, ensuring you remove the excess water in the bottom tray afterward. 

Lipstick

Despite its impressive, tropical appearance, the Lipstick plant is considered an easy-to-care-for house plant. It is best to place them away from any cold drafts as they love consistent moisture versus dry air. Ideally, you want to avoid allowing the potting medium to dry out completely and offer water when the top couple inches of soil are no longer damp.

Polka Dot Plant

Adored for its ornamental value, the polka dot plant adds texture and vibrancy to any space. They love warm temperatures, humidity, and moderate moisture in the soil. Remember to water them when the top half-inch of soil has dried out. It’s also important to slightly reduce watering in the cooler winter months but resume your routine once growth picks up again in the sunny spring season. If you live in a drier climate, mist the leaves of your plant regularly or place them in a tray with pebbles and water for optional growth. 

Christmas Cactus

These stunning, flowering cacti reveal their colorful petals in the wintertime. It is important to keep the soil moist during this flowering time and mist the plant frequently. Come summertime, the plant will need regular watering and make sure the plant is draining properly as an excess of water can cause root rot. 

LIGHT: Bright Direct

Small Plants

These green beauties require direct and bright sunlight for optimal growth, shiny and firm leaves, and well-formed root systems. To create an ideal environment for them, try placing plants in a south-facing window or outside in an exposed area where light is aplenty. 

 Burrows Tail

When watering this plant, you may notice that its leaves will be firm and plump when they have enough water. Water when the leaves begin to get soft and the soil feels dry, ensuring the plant is dried out between waterings. They love being next to windows, requiring 4-6 hours of direct light a day. 

Prickly Pear Cactus

We love this low-maintenance plant for its structural and animated aesthetic. These drought-tolerant plants only need to be watered during the spring and summer seasons when the plant is active as the plant conserves water while it is dormant in the late autumn and winter. We recommend using a water meter to determine when the plant is dry. Tip: Please be mindful that although these plants are non-toxic, they have spines that could prick your pets, so be careful where you place them. 

Pony Tail Palm

This interesting house plant actually grows to a full-sized tree when planted outdoors, but makes an artful statement indoors on a desk or bedside table. It’s considered an easy-to-care-for plant that requires watering every seven to 14 days during its growing season. Remember that the bulbous stem of the plant actually stores water, so be sure to not overwater.

LIGHT: Bright Direct

Large Plants

These green beauties require direct and bright sunlight for optimal growth, shiny and firm leaves, and well-formed root systems. To create an ideal environment for them, try placing plants in a south-facing window or outside in an exposed area where light is aplenty.

Banana Leaf

These tropical fruiting plants make for a statement piece in any space for their waving green leaves and tall stalks. They require a lot of water with plenty of moisture, so we recommend planting them closer together with other plants for moisture retention, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but never soggy, and incorporating regular misting to the leaves for higher levels of humidity. 

Arcea Palm

Resembling bamboo, these tall and dense plants create a beautiful addition to a large room and offer a shady retreat in your home environment. They love moist soil like many other palms, but overwatering can be damaging especially if sitting in a water saturated pot. Try letting the soil or potting mix dry out in between waterings. Tip: Try using distilled water or collected rainwater to keep these plants thriving. 

ADAPTABLE....

These plants prefer bright light but can adapt to live in medium lower light. 

Money Tree

Just over here doing some manifesting with this abundant plant. We love the braided stem and waxy green leaves of the tropical money tree. For the plant’s optimal health, practice infrequent deep waterings waiting for the top 2-4 inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. Water the plant, wait for water to come through the drainage hole and then empty excess tray water. Preferring a little extra humidity, especially in the wintertime, make sure to use a humidifier, mist leaves year-round, or use a pebble tray to keep the plants moisture levels high. 

Peperomias

To keep this lovely, little green houseplant happy, let the soil dry out about 2-3 inches before watering. Water until you see water come out through the drainage hole, then remove any excess tray water. This plant will thrive with periodic misting to boost humidity levels. 

Bromeliads

The vibrant, colorful plant is an exotic expression that is surprisingly easy to maintain at home. Make sure that the center of the plant is filled with water at all times, emptying out every couple of weeks with fresh water. The soil will only need to be watered about once a month but pay special attention to humidity levels by placing near a humidifier or misting leaves once a week. 

WITH LOVE FROM INCREMENTUM

We hope this holy grail guide to caring for your non-toxic plants helps you feel more confident and knowledgeable when choosing a plant that is safe for your pets. We believe these watering, lighting, and care tips will give your gorgeous green beauties the best environment to thrive in—for years to come.

If you need additional support or have a specific plant question, please contact us for an in-person or virtual plant care consultation - BOOK HERE!