Filling your home with greenery isn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It can also improve air quality and boost your mood. But what if your living space lacks sunshine, or your furry companions like walking? Well, fear not! There’s a vibrant world of low-light, pet-friendly indoor plants, allowing you to cultivate your urban jungle without worry.
In this blog, I will give you a detailed list of the best 8 low-light pet-friendly plants for your indoor space. I will also show you the best criteria to use when selecting these plants to ensure your pets are safe around them.
I personally have these indoor plants, and they have proven to be fit for my furry companions, and I believe they can be fit for yours, too.
The Criteria for Choosing the Best Low-Light, Pet-Friendly Plants
Before diving into specific plants, it’s crucial to understand what “low light” means. Most low-light plants prefer bright, indirect light. You shouldn’t place them in direct sunlight for extended periods, but they’ll thrive near north-facing windows or in rooms with plenty of ambient light.
In our detailed list of low-light pet-friendly plants, we have considered their toxicity, placement, growth rate, and maintenance.
- Toxicity. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a list of toxic and non-toxic plants for cats and dogs. Therefore, we have used this resource to ensure that the plants we have selected for you are safe for your furry friends.
- Placement. As a precaution, keep your indoor plants out of your pet’s reach, especially during their inquisitive kitten or puppy stages. Hanging planters or placing plants on high shelves are great solutions.
- Maintenance. Consider your lifestyle. Some low-light plants require minimal attention, while others require more frequent watering or misting. Choose plants that suit your level of commitment. For example, I prefer low-maintenance plants due to my busy blogging schedule.
Let’s explore the best low-light, pet-friendly plants for your indoor space. Remember to choose a plant that suits your space and maintenance commitment.
Top 8 Low-Light Pet-Friendly Plants
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
With its architectural upright form and vibrant green or variegated leaves, the snake plant is a stylish choice. It is also one of the best low-light, pet-friendly plants for your indoor space. In addition, it thrives in neglect, so it’s a great choice for busy plant parents.
It’s a slow grower, making it suitable for curious pets as they will not nibble the upcoming new leaves of the plant. Furthermore, the snake plant is non-toxic to your pets, and it’s listed among the nontoxic plants for cats and dogs.
In addition, the snake plant has a rough and unappealing texture, making your pets shy away from chewing it. Furthermore, it grows upright, so it doesn’t take up more space near your pet’s reach. So this is among the excellent indoor, low-light, pet-friendly plants.
2. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
This indoor champion thrives in neglect. Its deep green, air-purifying leaves tolerate low light and infrequent watering. In addition, this plant grows slowly, making it easy for pet owners as you will not keep on repotting.
The Cast Iron plant is non-toxic, and it’s one of the best non-toxic plants for your pets, as listed in Aspca. Therefore, whether you have a dog or cat in your house, you can have this potted plant around without worries.
3. Low-Light, Pet-Friendly Plants: ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Another low-light, pet-friendly plant option is the ZZ plant. It boasts glossy, dark green leaves and sometimes variegated leaves.
The ZZ plant can survive in various light conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light. Plus, it’s non-toxic to curious pets.
Furthermore, the ZZ plant grows slowly, making it a good option for curious pets. In addition, the ZZ plant has a rough texture, which may not attract pet nibbling.
The ZZ plant is good at removing toxins from the air, such as benzene and xylene, making you and your pet safe in the house. It’s also a low-maintenance plant, fitting busy plant parents.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
A classic for a reason, the spider plant is easy to propagate, sharing its cheerful green foliage through cascading spiderettes. It thrives in low light, and requires moderate watering, making it a good option if you have a slightly busy schedule.
The Spider plant is non-toxic to your dog or cat and its leaves are softer and grasslike, hence keeping your pets away from chewing it.
This plant is also excellent at removing toxins in your house, making a good environment for you and your furry companion. Therefore, choose the Spider plant as one of the low-light, pet-friendly plants for your indoor space.
5. Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
These unique plants don’t need soil! They absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. Air plants come in various shapes and sizes, adding a touch of the extraordinary to your low-light space.
They’re non-toxic to pets, but ensure they’re not constantly misted with harsh chemicals. These plants are among the best low-light, pet-friendly plants for your indoor space.
These plants do not need pots, so you can display them on shelves your pets can’t easily reach. In addition, they have unappealing foliage, keeping your pets away from chewing them.
One good thing about the Air plant is that it doesn’t need soil. After some time, you just need to soak it in water and display it in a place with air circulation. So, if you are a busy plant parent, this is a good option for low-light, pet-friendly plants.
6. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
This fascinating plant showcases leaves that fold upwards at night, resembling praying hands. Prayer plants prefer low light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil.
While non-toxic, their delicate leaves might be tempting to nibble on, so keep them out of reach of curious pets. However, the prayer plant might be so demanding for a regular maintenance routine. So if you are a busy plant parent, you may have to reconsider other options.
7. Golden Bird’s Nest (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This low-light, pet-friendly plant has a unique rosette shape, with new fronds emerging from the center. It thrives in low light and humid environments, making it perfect for bathrooms.
This plant is a variation of the regular Bird Nest Fern. They are both low-light, pet-friendly plants you can store in your indoor space.
This indoor plant is non-toxic, according to Aspca, and you can have it if you are a busy plant parent since it requires moderate humidity. In addition, the plant has an unappealing texture and grows slowly, making it perfect for pets.
8. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
The African Violet is a low-growing favourite, African violets boast beautiful blooms in various colors throughout the year. They require moderate watering and prefer bright, indirect light.
While non-toxic to pets, their delicate flowers might be tempting to chew on, but their leaves are unenticing for pets to chew. However, you should place them where your pets cannot reach.
They don’t need frequent maintenance. Water them when the topsoil is an inch dry. Therefore, it’s a good option if you have a busy schedule.
Tips for Success with Low-Light, Pet-Friendly Plants
I know you would like a fresh house with non-toxic gasses while keeping your hairy companions safe. Therefore, you should practice the following tips to ensure your low-light, pet-friendly plants thrive.
- Rotate your plants. You should regularly turn your plants to ensure even growth, especially if they’re positioned near a light source.
- Group plants together. When you group plants, they naturally create humidity for each other. This is especially beneficial for low-light plants that prefer higher humidity levels.
- Use a moisture meter. Avoid overwatering, which may lead to unwarranted diseases for your indoor plants. This is a common issue with low-light plants. A moisture meter can help you determine when watering is necessary.
- Fertilize sparingly. Low-light plants don’t require frequent fertilization. A balanced fertilizer applied once or twice a year is usually sufficient.
Low-Light, Pet-Friendly Plants: Conclusion
With a bit of planning and the right plant choices, you can create a flourishing indoor jungle, even in a low-light space, while keeping your furry companions safe.
However, you should research specific plant varieties before bringing them home. In addition, prioritize pet-friendly options to ensure survival for the plants with your pets around.
Low-Light, Pet-Friendly Plants: FAQs
- Are there any pet-friendly plants that flower?
Absolutely! African Violets are a classic example, known for their long-lasting blooms in various colors. Christmas Cactus and certain varieties of Bromeliads are other flowering options that are safe for pets.
2. I’m a complete beginner when it comes to plants. Are there any low-light, pet-friendly options that are easy to care for?
Definitely! Some of the easiest and most forgiving plants include:
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
These plants require infrequent watering and tolerate a wide range of light conditions.
3. What are some of the benefits of having low-light, pet-friendly plants in my home?
There are many benefits! These plants can:
- Brighten up your space. Even without direct sunlight, these plants can add a touch of life and color to your home.
- Purify the air. Many low-light plants help remove toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality for you and your pets.
- Reduce stress. Studies have shown that interacting with plants can reduce stress and improve mood.
- Provide a safe environment for your pets. With non-toxic options, you can enjoy greenery without worrying about your curious companions.
4. My pet is particularly curious and likes to chew on things. Are there any low-light plants that are generally unappealing for chewing?
Some plants have characteristics that make them less inviting for pets, such as:
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata). Stiff, upright leaves with a pointed tip.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). Shiny, thick leaves that are not very palatable.
- Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.). The lack of soil and a more wiry structure make them less interesting for chewing.
However, it’s important to monitor your pet’s interaction with any plant, regardless of toxicity level.