Best plants

Pet-safe plants for small apartments

Compact plants with generally safe cat and dog verdicts.

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Pick 1

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 2

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 3

Aluminum Plant

Pilea cadierei

Amazon

The Aluminum Plant is a popular indoor foliage plant known for its striking silver-patterned leaves and compact growth habit. It is considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of 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 4

Aregelia

Neoregelia spp.

Amazon

Neoregelia are popular bromeliads known for their vibrant, colorful foliage and water-holding central cups. They are generally considered safe for households with pets, though their fibrous leaves may cause minor digestive irritation if consumed in large quantities.

Generally safeGenerally safe

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

Pick 5

Artillery Plant

Pilea microphylla

Amazon

The Artillery Plant is a small, fern-like succulent known for its tiny leaves and unique habit of releasing pollen in small puffs. It is generally considered safe for households with pets.

Generally safeGenerally safe

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

Pick 6

Baby Rubber Plant

Peperomia obtusifolia

Amazon

The American Rubber Plant is a popular, low-maintenance houseplant known for its thick, succulent-like leaves. 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 7

Baby Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii

Amazon

Baby Tears is a delicate, creeping groundcover often grown in terrariums or as a houseplant for its dense, moss-like appearance. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive upset.

Generally safeGenerally safe

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

Pick 8

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 9

Beet

Beta vulgaris

Amazon

Beta vulgaris is a widely cultivated vegetable known for its edible taproot and leafy greens. It is considered safe for household 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 10

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 11

Blue Echeveria

Echeveria glauca

Amazon

Echeveria glauca is a popular succulent known for its rosette-forming, powdery blue-green leaves. It is widely considered safe for households with pets, though its fibrous texture 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 12

Blue Eyed Daisy

Arctotis stoechadifolia

Amazon

Arctotis stoechadifolia is a flowering perennial known for its silver-green foliage and daisy-like blooms. It is considered safe for household 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.

Comparison table

PlantLightCareSizeHabitCatsDogs
African VioletBright indirect lightModerateSmallRosette-formingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Spider PlantBright indirect lightLowSmall to mediumClumping with trailing stolonsGenerally safeGenerally safe
Aluminum PlantBright indirect lightModerateSmall, typically 6-12 inches tallUpright, bushyGenerally safeGenerally safe
AregeliaBright indirect lightLowSmall to mediumRosette-formingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Artillery PlantBright indirect lightLow to moderateSmall, typically under 12 inchesSpreading or moundingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Baby Rubber PlantBright indirect lightLowSmall to medium (up to 12 inches)Upright, bushyGenerally safeGenerally safe
Baby TearsBright indirect lightModerateSmallCreepingGenerally safeGenerally safe
BasilHigh lightModerateSmallUprightGenerally safeGenerally safe
BeetFull sunLowSmall to mediumHerbaceousGenerally safeGenerally safe
Bichetii GrassBright indirect lightEasySmallClumpingGenerally safeGenerally safe
Blue EcheveriaBright direct lightLowSmall, typically under 6 inchesRosette-forming succulentGenerally safeGenerally safe
Blue Eyed DaisyFull sunModerateSmall to mediumMoundingGenerally safeGenerally safe