10 Pet-Safe Low-Light Indoor Plants for Cats & Dogs

Many of the toughest low-light houseplants, including pothos, snake plant and ZZ plant, are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. If you share your home with pets, that narrows the list, but it doesn’t leave you without options. Below are ten plants that tolerate lower light and are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, along with what each one needs so it actually thrives.

Quick answer: Spider plant, parlor palm, areca palm, calathea, Boston fern, peperomia, friendship plant, bird’s nest fern, polka dot plant and prayer plant are all listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and handle medium-to-low light. “Low light” still means near a window, not a dark corner. Keep toxic favorites like pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant, philodendron, peace lily and lilies away from pets.

A note on sources: “non-toxic” here follows the ASPCA’s plant toxicity database, the most widely used reference. Check the exact plant name before buying, since common names can refer to different species. If you think your pet ate something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away.

The List at a Glance

Plant	Light	Water	Humidity	Ease
Spider plant	Low to bright indirect	When top inch is dry	Average	Very easy
Parlor palm	Low to medium	When top inch is dry	Average to moderate	Easy
Areca palm	Medium to bright indirect	Keep lightly moist	Moderate	Moderate
Calathea	Low to medium	Keep evenly moist	High	Moderate to fussy
Boston fern	Medium indirect	Keep evenly moist	High	Moderate
Peperomia	Low to medium	Let dry between waterings	Average	Easy
Friendship plant	Medium	Keep lightly moist	Moderate to high	Easy
Bird’s nest fern	Low to medium	Keep evenly moist, never soggy	Moderate	Easy
Polka dot plant	Medium to bright indirect	Keep lightly moist	Moderate	Easy
Prayer plant	Low to medium	Keep evenly moist	High	Moderate

What “Low Light” Really Means

Low-light tolerant plants survive farther from windows than most, but no houseplant grows well in a windowless room without a grow light. A good test: if you can comfortably read a book at the spot during the day without lamps, many of these plants will cope. Slow growth, small new leaves and stretching toward the window mean the plant needs more light.

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

One of the hardest houseplants to kill. It tolerates low light, though its stripes are brighter with more. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. It sends out baby plantlets that are easy to propagate. Cats are often drawn to nibble the grassy leaves; it’s non-toxic, but a hanging pot saves the plant from looking chewed.

2. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

A classic for dim corners that grows slowly and stays compact for years. Let the top inch dry before watering, and keep it away from cold drafts. Brown tips usually point to dry air or uneven watering.

3. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Feathery and full, but it needs more light than a parlor palm: medium to bright indirect light is best. Keep soil lightly moist and give it room; it can grow large.

4. Calathea (various species)

Grown for boldly patterned leaves that fold up at night. Calatheas tolerate low light but are particular about water and air: keep soil evenly moist, use filtered or rested tap water if tips brown, and raise humidity in winter.

5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

A lush fern that prefers medium indirect light and high humidity, making it a good fit for a bathroom with a window. Keep it evenly moist. Dry air causes shedding and crispy fronds.

6. Peperomia (various species)

A large group of compact plants with thick, often textured or glossy leaves. Their semi-succulent leaves store water, so let the soil dry partly between waterings. They’re forgiving and suit shelves and desks.

7. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)

Compact, with quilted, bronze-veined leaves. It prefers medium light and moderate humidity, and stays small. Its relative the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is also generally considered pet-safe, but it needs brighter light.

8. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

Broad, glossy, wavy fronds grow from a central rosette. It handles lower light better than most ferns and is less messy than Boston fern. Water around the soil, not into the center of the rosette, to prevent rot.

9. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Speckled pink, red or white leaves add color. It tolerates moderate light but keeps its color best with bright indirect light. Pinch tips regularly to keep it bushy.

10. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Leaves fold upward at night like hands in prayer. It likes low to medium light, even moisture and humidity, similar to its relative calathea. It trails nicely from a shelf.

Common Houseplants to Keep Away From Pets

Plant	Concern
Pothos, philodendron, monstera	Calcium oxalate crystals: mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting
Snake plant	Stomach upset if chewed
ZZ plant	Irritation if chewed
Peace lily	Calcium oxalate crystals
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)	Oral irritation and swelling
Aloe	Digestive upset
True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis)	Extremely dangerous to cats, even small amounts including pollen
Sago palm	Severely toxic to dogs and cats

You don’t have to give up toxic plants you already love; keep them where pets truly can’t reach, such as high shelves out of jumping range, hanging planters or rooms pets don’t enter. Our list of low-light plants covers more options for households without pets.

Keeping Plants and Pets Happy Together

• Start high. Place a new plant out of reach for a few weeks to see whether your pet shows interest.
• Offer alternatives. Cat grass gives cats something they’re allowed to chew.
• Use a deterrent. Pet-safe bitter sprays discourage chewing without harming the plant.
• Watch what you apply. A non-toxic plant treated with systemic pesticides, some fertilizers or leaf shine may no longer be safe; check product labels.
• Stabilize pots. Heavy or wide pots are harder to knock over; top soil with large pebbles if pets dig.
• Keep saucers fresh. Pets sometimes drink from them.

Even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset if eaten in quantity, simply because pets aren’t built to digest lots of leaves.

FAQ

Are all ferns safe for cats?

No. Boston fern and bird’s nest fern are listed as non-toxic, but some plants called “ferns,” like asparagus fern, are toxic. Always check the botanical name.

Is a spider plant bad for cats?

It’s listed as non-toxic. Some cats love chewing it, and eating a lot may cause mild stomach upset, but it isn’t considered poisonous.

What’s the easiest pet-safe plant for a beginner?

Spider plant and peperomia are the most forgiving. Parlor palm is a close third for a dim corner.

Can I grow these with a grow light?

Yes. A full-spectrum LED grow light on a timer for 10–12 hours a day lets you keep pet-safe plants in rooms with little natural light.