Best plants

Pet-safe plants for small apartments

Compact plants with generally safe cat and dog verdicts.

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Pick 1

Calathea

Calathea spp.

Amazon

Calathea are popular tropical houseplants known for their striking, patterned foliage and rhythmic leaf movement. They are considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 2

Dwarf Date Palm

Phoenix acaulis

Amazon

The Dwarf Date Palm is a slow-growing, stemless palm species native to the grasslands of India. It is widely appreciated for its compact, architectural foliage that mimics the appearance of larger date palms in a miniature form.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 3

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Amazon

Hypoestes phyllostachya is a popular ornamental houseplant known for its vibrant, speckled foliage. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 4

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum

Amazon

The spider plant is a popular, easy-to-care-for houseplant known for its arching, grass-like foliage and trailing plantlets. It is widely considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous material may occasionally cause mild digestive upset.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 5

African Violet

Saintpaulia spp.

Amazon

African Violets are popular, low-growing flowering houseplants known for their fuzzy leaves and vibrant blooms. They are considered non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 6

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Amazon

Basil is a popular culinary herb known for its aromatic leaves and ease of growth in sunny indoor or outdoor environments. It is considered safe for pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 7

Bichetii Grass

Chlorophytum bichetti

Amazon

Bichetii Grass is a popular, low-maintenance houseplant known for its arching, variegated foliage that resembles a miniature spider plant. It is widely considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 8

Christmas Palm

Veitchia merrillii

Amazon

The Christmas Palm is a popular, slow-growing ornamental palm known for its bright red fruit clusters and elegant, arching fronds. It is considered safe for households with pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 9

Clearweed

Pilea pumila

Amazon

Clearweed is a tender, herbaceous annual plant often found in moist, shaded environments. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 10

Echeveria

Echeveria elegans

Amazon

Echeveria is a popular, rosette-forming succulent known for its fleshy, architectural leaves and ease of care. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 11

Emerald Ripple Peperomia

Peperomia caperata

Amazon

The Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a popular, compact houseplant known for its deeply textured, heart-shaped leaves and ease of care. It is considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with cats and dogs.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Pick 12

Gloxinia

Sinningia speciosa

Amazon

Gloxinia is a popular flowering houseplant known for its large, velvety leaves and vibrant, bell-shaped blooms. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of plant material can occasionally cause minor digestive irritation.

Generally safeGenerally safe

Safety verdicts verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Comparison table

PlantLightCareSizeHabitCatsDogs
CalatheaLow to medium indirect lightModerateSmall to mediumClumpingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Dwarf Date PalmBright indirect lightLowSmallStemless rosetteGenerally safeGenerally safe
Polka Dot PlantBright indirect lightModerateSmall (up to 1-2 feet)MoundingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Spider PlantBright indirect lightLowSmall to mediumClumping with trailing stolonsGenerally safeGenerally safe
African VioletBright indirect lightModerateSmallRosette-formingGenerally safeGenerally safe
BasilHigh lightModerateSmallUprightGenerally safeGenerally safe
Bichetii GrassBright indirect lightEasySmallClumpingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Christmas PalmBright indirect light to full sunModerateSmall to medium (indoor container size)Upright, single-trunk palmGenerally safeGenerally safe
ClearweedPartial shade to full shadeLowSmall (up to 24 inches)Herbaceous annualGenerally safeGenerally safe
EcheveriaBright direct lightLowSmallRosetteGenerally safeGenerally safe
Emerald Ripple PeperomiaBright indirect lightLowSmallCompact, moundingGenerally safeGenerally safe
GloxiniaBright indirect lightModerateSmallClumpingGenerally safeGenerally safe