9 Air-Purifying Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

A famous NASA study suggested that some plants may be more air-purifying than others.  

Unfortunately, we’ve since discovered that the effect is likely to be minimal in a home environment.  

That said, the following plants are still a pleasant, pet-friendly addition to cheer up your home.  

These plants are all pet-safe:  

• Areca Palm 
• Boston Fern 
• Bamboo Palm 
• Gerbera Daisies 
• Money Tree 
• Orchids 
• Prayer Plant 
• Spider Plant 
• Some Succulents 

This plant is also known as:  

• Golden butterfly palm 
• Cane palm 
• Golden feather palm 
• Yellow palm 

You could place one near your pet’s bed to provide a nature-inspired snooze spot.  

The bamboo palm is a hardy, low-maintenance plant with a high shade tolerance. 

The Boston fern is a lush, low-maintenance plant that enjoys frequent misting and indirect light.  

This pet-safe plant loves humidity, so it’s the perfect addition to a shady porch where your dog and cat can enjoy a bit of the outdoors. A leash and collar can help them stay close to you on the porch.  

Bright and cheery, gerbera daisies are safe for pets. Plus, they produce beautiful, long-lasting flowers. 

The prayer plant gets its name from the way its green-and-yellow variegated leaves fold together like hands in prayer. 

They prefer little sunlight, making them ideal for a laundry room or basement. 

The money tree prefers bright, indirect sunlight, so it’s best to place it close to a window, but not directly in front of one.  

This plant is said to bring good luck—let’s hope your cat or dog reaps these lucky benefits.  

Orchids are safe for our feline and canine friends. However, these plants can be high-maintenance, so you might want flora that’s an easier lift.  

The humble spider plant is easy to maintain and makes a great beginner’s plant.  

It prefers bright-to-moderate indirect light and will sprout clusters of small white flowers. 

Most succulents are safe for dogs and cats, though aloe plants are toxic to them. And you’ll want to be sure to keep any prickly plants out of your dog or cat’s reach, even if they’re technically nontoxic.  

Not all plants are dog- and cat-friendly.  

These toxic plants can cause your pet to experience mild illness, or even death, if ingested.  

The list includes: 

• Aloe vera 
• Dracaena 
• English ivy 
• Jade 
• Oleander 
• Peace lily  
• Philodendrons 
• Pothos plants 
• Rubber plants 
• Sago palm 
• Snake plants 
• Weeping figs 

Review our lists of plants that are toxic to cats and plants that are toxic to dogs. 

Cats and dogs are smart, curious creatures, and sometimes they just want to explore. So it’s up to you to keep bad things at bay.   

Try to keep toxic plants out of the house. If you want to keep your dog or cat away from all plants just to be safe, try a dog gate or cat gate.  

And if you really want to make sure that you’re purifying your home’s air, try a pet-friendly air purifier.  

Lastly, a well-deserved cat or dog toy is never a bad idea. Try one of these themed gifts. 

Sometimes but not always. No matter the plant type, it’s best to avoid chewing and ingestion for your pet’s health and safety. Eating even “safe” plants can cause stomach upset and other issues.  

Head to the emergency vet immediately. Call Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661; a fee applies) on the way.