Non-toxic houseplants for cats, dogs and other pets

At Monstera, we're not just plant-addicts. We're also animal-loving Elmyra Duffs. But getting fur balls and green plants to cohabit is not always easy. In fact, some species are dangerous to our pets. Do you want to avoid ending up in the veterinary emergency room because your maine coon has eaten your Pothos? Here's a selection of non-toxic houseplants for cats, dogs, rabbits and everyone in between.

If, like me, you have a cat at home who nibbles everything in sight, forget Monstera, Syngonium and other members of the Araceae family. Their sap makes these houseplants toxic if touched or ingested. But you don't have to give up tropical plants and exuberant foliage just because you have a pet!

Marantaceae are safe for us, our children and our furry friends. So you can treat yourself to Calathea orbifolia and Maranta leuconeura without fear. If you're afraid of killing these demanding plants, turn instead to a Ctenanthe burle-marxii. Its leaves are just as spectacular, but require (a little) less attention.

Got your eye on a Peperomia Watermelon (Peperomia argyreia)? Good news: neither it nor its Peperomia cousins are a threat to pets. To take full advantage of their foliage indoors, place them in a bright spot, away from draughts and direct sunlight.

Hypoestes are a real eye-catcher, with their pink and purple limbs. And they're pet-friendly too. Easy to care for, the ephelid plant Hypoestes phyllostachya) nevertheless needs regular watering and plenty of sun.

You can take care of a dog or cat and still be hopeless at gardening. If this is your case, don't despair. There are hardy houseplants that are safe for your pets.

Ideal for hanging baskets, Tradescantia, sometimes nicknamed Misères, are forgiving of lack of light and water. But if you follow the advice and reminders in the Monstera app, Tradescantia zebrina and tradescantia fluminensis 'Albiflora will reward you with magnificent colorful or variegated foliage.

Chinese coin plant (Pilea peperomioides) and Pilea are an excellent alternative if you like Peperomias, but kill them off after a week. Their semi-succulent limbs enable them to store water and compensate for forgetfulness and excess.

Another easy-going plant: chlorophytum comosum. Its tuft of drooping green and white leaves brightens up living rooms. In exchange, the spider plant needs little sunlight and a little love.

high Aspidistre (Aspidistra elatior) doesn't need much either. Reputedly indestructible, this plant needs watering from time to time and repotting when the roots emerge from the pot.

Another option for serial plant-killers: succulents. Many are on the list of plants that are non-toxic to pets. These desert-tolerant plants don't require much care in the garden or indoors. A generous watering every month or two is all they need. There's no need for misting, fertilizing or annual repotting.

If you're short on space, consider plants from the Xanthorrhoeaceae family, such as haworthiopsis fasciata and gasteria acinacifolia. These succulents with their triangular leaves look like Aloes. But they're safe for your pets.

Echeveria come in many sizes and colors. Their rosettes of bloom-covered leaves change hue according to variety and light. For example, echeveria prolifica and echeveria elegans have blue-green leaf blades, while echeveria agavoides has lime-green foliage. And best of all, these succulents even flower indoors.

Last but not least, Sedums are pet-friendly. What's more, the small, fleshy leaves of Sedum morganianum and Sedum burrito are unappetizing, as are the bloom-coated leaves of sedum palmeri and Sedum nussbaumerianum. Your plants should therefore escape the cravings and curiosity of your four-legged friends.

But it's best to avoid cacti. While some species are harmless when ingested, their spines are a source of concern. A startled kitten or a dog in the midst of a 15-minute fr enzy could topple the plant and end up covered in prickles.

In the savannah, lions rest in the shade of giant baobabs. In your living room, your cat can nap in the shade of an indoor shrub. But not a Ficus or Schefflera actinophylla, which are far too toxic.

With its tuft of leaves and bulging trunk, Beaucarnea recurvata doesn't go unnoticed. Its popularity is also due to its ease of care. Watering when the substrate has dried out, a little fertilizer and repotting every three years are enough to keep it happy.

Pachira aquatica poses no danger to children or pets. On the contrary, it is said to bring health and prosperity to the home. We don't know if this is true, but one thing's for sure: the shrub isn't fussy. It thrives in light, green potting soil. Just remember to water it when the soil surface is dry.

There's no need to give up flowering plants just because you have a dog or cat at home. While Anthurium and Spathiphyllum are toxic to pets, many flowers are pet-friendly.

Starting with orchids! The largest botanical family is safe to ingest or touch. If you're just starting out, start with a Butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis). You can then move on to more complicated varieties, such as the Cymbidium orchid (Cymbidium) or miltonia orchid.

Easier to grow, florists' Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) will give you XXL blooms in summer. Originally from South America, this plant thrives in our indoor temperatures. But you'll need to respect a cool overwintering period to get its tubers to bloom again.

African violets (Saintpaulia), on the other hand, flower several times a year. Thanks to hybrids and cultivars, you can choose the size of the plant and the color of the flowers. Pink, yellow, violet, red or white, it's up to you to find the shade that will sublimate your interior.

Most indoor palms are harmless to pets. So you can give your living room a jungle feel with an Areca palm, a Chamedorea, a Kentia or a Rhapis. With their green palms and upright habit, these four species are very similar. Select the one that suits you best, depending on the light conditions and your gardening skills!

To bring a little sunshine into a dark room, choose a Dwarf palm (Chamedorea elegans) or Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens). Both tolerate part shade. On the other hand, they can't stand neglected watering or excessively dry air. While these two palms are not poisonous, you must remain vigilant. Their sharp palms can injure a cat's mouth if it tries to eat them.

Kentia (Howea forsteriana) also needs regular misting and watering. But it prefers a bright spot. Don't place it in full sun, however, as this may burn its foliage.

More resistant, the bamboo palm (Rhapis excelsa) adapts easily to the atmosphere of our apartments. As it appreciates ambient humidity, don't hesitate to install it with your other green plants, to increase the hygrometry rate.

Would you like to decorate your bathroom with a fern that's safe for your pets? Here's a list of species to choose from.

The shiny, wavy leaves of the bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) are not toxic when ingested. The plant, native to the tropical forests of Asia and Africa, requires constant humidity. You'll need to shower its foliage and water it regularly for it to flourish.

Contrary to its name, the Boston fern (Nephorlepsis exaltata) doesn't come from Massachusetts, but from Florida. It therefore prefers moist heat to snowy winters. In our latitudes, the plant can be grown indoors, provided it achieves good hygrometry.

An epiphytic fern in the Polypodiaceae family, Platycerium is unlike any other plant. The upper, sterile fronds form a shell that clings to the support, while the fertile, elk-horn-like fronds droop. But to achieve this result, you'll need to maintain a temperature of at least 21°, control mealybugs and rot, and make sure the soil stays moist at all times.

The leaves and flowers of carnivorous plants are not toxic to animals. But they do secrete enzymes that can be very unpleasant if swallowed. To prevent a curious cat or a gluttonous dog from tasting them, it's best to choose very specific species.

First on the list is the Venus flycatcher (Dionaea Muscipula). It only releases its enzymes once its trap has closed. Rest assured, your feline won't get in! However, he may activate the jaws to sniff the plant. Place it out of his reach so he doesn't wear it out.

Sarracenia attract their prey with their colors and scent. But, while their cone shape enables them to capture insects, it's impossible for a pet to access the reserve of juices (unless you're breeding pet flies). Accustomed to growing in poor soil, these plants won't need much attention. However, make sure you give them plenty of light and an acidic substrate.

Finally, you can complete your collection of carnivorous plants with hanging nepenthes. Their large, drooping urns have a narrow entrance, far too cramped for an adventurous paw or snout. Grown exclusively indoors in our temperate climates, nepenthes require plenty of light and high humidity.

Has your pet eaten a plant and you're not sure whether it's toxic? In case of doubt, vomiting or hypersalivation, contact a veterinarian or animal poison control center without delay.