Breathe easy: 6 air-purifying houseplants that are safe for pets
Bringing plants into your home can do more than just beautify your space – many houseplants also clean the air and improve indoor humidity, all while being perfectly safe for your furry friends. In fact, a famous NASA study in the late 1980s found that certain common indoor plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene from sealed environments. While modern experts note you’d need a lot of plants to dramatically purify a typical room’s air, every little bit helps – and these green companions also uplift your mood and decor. The key for pet owners is choosing non-toxic plants. According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), many popular houseplants can pose poisoning risks, but the ones below are all pet-friendly (non-toxic to cats and dogs).
In this warm and inviting guide, we’ll introduce seven air-purifying houseplants safe for pets – all of which are available at Fur & Flora. Each of these has scientifically proven air-cleaning abilities (as evidenced by NASA or other studies) and is confirmed non-toxic to pets. Let’s get started on creating a healthier, greener home that both you and your pets can enjoy, worry-free!
💡 Want an easy start? Explore our Air-Purifying Plant Bundles – curated sets of pet-safe plants that cleanse your air and brighten your space effortlessly.
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Often touted as an ideal beginner’s houseplant, the spider plant is a superstar when it comes to easy care and air purification. This graceful plant has slender, arching green-and-cream leaves and produces “spiderettes” (baby plant offshoots) that dangle attractively. NASA’s research identified the spider plant as particularly effective at scrubbing harmful chemicals from the air – it can remove pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and xylene. In fact, one study noted that spider plants are capable of reducing these common VOCs, which are found in things like household cleaners and cigarette smoke, helping you breathe easier at home.
Pet parents also love spider plants because they are completely safe for cats and dogs. The ASPCA classifies Chlorophytum comosum as non-toxic, meaning if Fluffy takes a curious nibble, it won’t cause poisoning (though eating a lot of any plant may still upset a tummy). This makes the spider plant a perfect hanging or shelf plant in homes with mischievous kitties – even if some leaves get chewed, you won’t have to rush to the vet. As a bonus, spider plants are low-maintenance: they tolerate a variety of light conditions and bounce back quickly from neglect. Give them moderate indirect light and water occasionally (allowing the topsoil to dry out between waterings), and they will reward you by pumping out fresh oxygen and removing airborne toxins. With its cheerful, cascading foliage and hardiness, the spider plant is a must-have for a pet-safe, healthier home.
2. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
For a splash of tropical flair that also cleans the air, look no further than the areca palm, also known as the butterfly palm. This elegant palm features feathery fronds and can grow impressively tall indoors, creating a mini jungle vibe in your living room. Scientists have found that the areca palm is one of the most effective air-purifying plants around. In Dr. B.C. Wolverton’s extended NASA studies, the areca palm scored at the top for removing certain chemical solvents – it eliminated more toluene and xylene (common VOCs from paints, nail polish, and adhesives) than any other houseplant tested. It’s also known to filter out formaldehyde from the air. Formaldehyde tends to off-gas from furniture, particleboard, and some fabrics, but an areca palm in the room can help soak it up naturally. Additionally, areca palms release plenty of moisture during transpiration, so they double as natural humidifiers, which can benefit your respiratory health in dry environments.
Crucially for pet owners, Dypsis lutescens is non-toxic to pets – true palms (excluding sago palms, which are cycad imposters and very toxic) are generally safe for cats and dogs. The areca palm is explicitly listed as pet-safe by houseplant experts and animal organizations. You can let your cat bat at the fronds or your dog sniff around it with no fear. Just be mindful that, while not poisonous, too much munching on any plant could give a pet a mild stomach upset. Areca palms prefer bright, indirect light (near a window with filtered sun) and regular watering, but they’re relatively forgiving and easy to grow. With its elegant arching leaves and proven air-cleaning prowess, the areca palm is a fabulous choice to freshen your air naturally while keeping your home pet-friendly.
3. Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
If you’re looking for a sophisticated, fan-leaved plant, the lady palm is an excellent choice – it’s often praised for both its elegant look and its air-refreshing talent. The lady palm (also called the broadleaf lady palm or “waaierpalm” in Dutch) has glossy, segmented fronds that resemble a fan, lending a touch of class to any space. Scientifically, this plant has a strong track record: it was highlighted in Dr. Wolverton’s research as one of the top air-purifiers. Lady palms help rid the air of formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia particularly well. In fact, a summary by the Sustainable Living Association confirms that Rhapis excelsa palms “purify air from formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene, and even carbon dioxide,” making them multi-taskers in combating indoor pollutants. These capabilities are valuable in homes with new furniture (formaldehyde), household cleaners (ammonia), or paint fumes (xylene). By introducing a lady palm, you’re effectively adding a green air filter that works silently around the clock.
Just as importantly, the lady palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it harmonizes well in a pet-friendly household. The Sustainable Living Association explicitly notes that Rhapis excelsa plants “are not toxic to dogs or cats,” which means you can breathe easy on that front too. (Always a relief when you catch your cat batting at those tempting leaves!) Lady palms are known to be hardy and adapt to various indoor conditions. They prefer semi-bright, indirect light and do fine in typical home temperature ranges (around 16–24°C). They are somewhat slow-growing, but with patience they can reach impressive heights (over 2 meters indoors over many years). Water your lady palm when the top inch of soil is dry – they like even moisture but cannot stand soggy roots. With minimal fuss, this plant will stand tall, literally cleaning the air and adding a tranquil vibe to your decor. It’s a statement plant that, as one source put it, lets you “infuse your space with gorgeous greenery and reap the benefits of clean air!” – all while being gentle to your beloved pets.
4. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The parlor palm is a petite cousin of the bamboo palm – beloved since Victorian times as a parlor ornament – and it remains popular for its graceful, tropical foliage and easy-care nature. This plant, also known as the bergpalm or salon palm, features delicate green fronds on slender stems, usually topping out at 1,2 - 2 meter indoors (larger if given lots of time and space). Like other palms, the parlor palm contributes to cleaner indoor air. While it wasn’t in the very first wave of NASA’s study, it has since been recognized in further research for its air-purifying ability. In fact, Chamaedorea elegans was later tested and found to remove toxins such as formaldehyde from enclosed environments. It’s also noted to help filter out ammonia and xylene, similar to its bamboo palm relative. This means the parlor palm can help mitigate fumes from cleaning products (ammonia) and off-gassed chemicals from electronics or furnishings (formaldehyde and xylene). While one palm alone won’t detoxify your whole house, every bit of VOC reduction counts – especially when several plants are combined. Many plant experts include the parlor palm in lists of air-improving, oxygen-boosting houseplants that create a fresher atmosphere at home.
Crucially, parlor palms are completely pet-friendly. These palms contain no toxic substances, so your cat or dog can coexist with them safely (nibbling a leaf here or there shouldn’t cause harm, aside from possible minor stomach upset if they eat a lot of fibrous material). It’s no surprise Fur & Flora carries the parlor palm as a staple – it’s labeled “Safe for cats, Safe for dogs” right on the product page, as all their plants are. This plant also thrives in low to moderate light, which is great for those of us with less sunny apartments. It actually prefers some shade and will tolerate the corners of a room better than many other palms. In terms of care, the parlor palm is forgiving: water it when the topsoil starts to dry and avoid overwatering. It doesn’t demand high humidity or special conditions – normal household humidity is fine, though it appreciates an occasional misting. Place a parlor palm on a shelf or floor planter in your study, bedroom, or of course the parlor, and you’ll have a lovely green companion filtering your air and enlivening the decor. With its easy-going nature and proven benefits, this little palm truly brings a breath of fresh air into pet-friendly homes.
5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns are like nature’s air fresheners and humidifiers wrapped in one lush, shaggy package. Known for their gently arching fronds of many tiny leaflets, Boston ferns add a soft, elegant greenery to any room – and they work hard to clean the air. NASA’s early findings showed that ferns, particularly Nephrolepis varieties, excel at removing formaldehyde, a pervasive indoor pollutant. Later analyses confirmed the Boston fern’s reputation as an air-purifying champ: for instance, it can filter out formaldehyde and xylene, and even some toluene and benzene, according to an Architectural Digest expert list. These chemicals can come from car exhaust that sneaks indoors, new carpets, paints, or cosmetics – so having a Boston fern around is especially helpful if your home has recently been renovated or if you live near a garage or busy street. Additionally, by transpiring water through its abundant fronds, a Boston fern raises indoor humidity, which can alleviate dry skin, throats, and noses (great in winter when heating dries the air).
Perhaps one of the best parts for pet owners: Nephrolepis exaltata is non-toxic and safe for pets. According to the ASPCA and other veterinary resources, true ferns like the Boston fern do not contain harmful chemicals to cats or dogs. This means if your kitten finds the trailing fronds irresistible to play with (and they often do!), you don’t have to panic about poisoning. Of course, no one wants a half-chewed fern, so you might hang it slightly out of reach – it does beautifully in a hanging basket or on a high shelf, where its fronds can cascade down. Boston ferns love humidity and indirect light. They prefer a bit more attention than some succulents or snake plants, but their needs are simple: keep their soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) and give them medium to bright indirect light (direct sun can scorch those delicate fronds). Bathrooms or kitchens with windows can be ideal spots, due to the higher humidity. With a little care – think regular watering, the occasional misting, and a monthly touch of diluted fertilizer – your Boston fern will thrive and diligently scrub your air. It’s a classic Victorian-era houseplant that has truly stood the test of time, combining beauty with practical benefits (as Fur & Flora’s description notes, “the Boston fern combines beauty with practical advantages”). For a pet-safe home, the Boston fern is a time-honored choice to naturally freshen and rejuvenate your indoor environment.
6. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Rounding out our list is the unique bird’s nest fern, named for the way its new fronds unfurl from a central rosette, resembling a nest of shiny green ribbons. This fern’s curvy, ripple-edged fronds make it a visually striking houseplant – and it’s also a friend to your indoor air. While not on NASA’s original list, the bird’s nest fern has gained attention for its air-purifying qualities in more recent discussions of healthy homes. According to plant experts, Asplenium nidus has been shown to filter out toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. These are nasty chemicals found in things like car emissions, paints, and certain adhesives. Having a bird’s nest fern in the room can thus help reduce some of those airborne pollutants. In fact, a 2019 Women’s Health article highlighted the bird’s nest fern as an underrated air-purifier that’s perfect for hanging planters, emphasizing its ability to clean indoor air of those common VOC toxins. There’s even scientific research indicating ferns can absorb formaldehyde effectively; one study measured significant formaldehyde uptake by bird’s nest ferns used in green wall systems. So, this plant isn’t just a pretty face – it actively contributes to a healthier breathing environment.
Just as importantly, bird’s nest ferns are 100% pet-safe. These ferns contain no dangerous substances for your furry companions. The ASPCA specifically lists bird’s nest fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs, a fact echoed by many gardening and pet websites. As always, if Fluffy or Fido eats a big chunk of any plant, they might experience some digestive upset (plants are fibrous, after all), but you won’t have the scare of poisoning. With that peace of mind, you can place a bird’s nest fern on a windowsill or shelf without worry. In terms of care, bird’s nest ferns prefer medium to bright indirect light – too little light and they may grow slowly, but direct sun should be avoided to prevent leaf burn. They thrive in humid conditions (remember, they’re tropical forest plants). This makes them superb for bathrooms or kitchens, or you can boost humidity by misting the leaves occasionally or using a pebble tray. Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid letting it dry out completely; at the same time, ensure the pot has drainage because sitting in water can lead to root rot. Many people find bird’s nest ferns quite easy to grow given these simple conditions. They don’t drop a lot of leaves or make a mess, and they add a lovely lush vibe to your space. With its wavy green fronds and proven ability to refresh your air, the bird’s nest fern is a charming and practical addition to any pet-friendly household.
Creating a Healthy, Pet-Friendly Home: By choosing any (or all!) of these seven houseplants, you’re taking a natural step toward improving your indoor air quality without compromising your pets’ safety. Each plant on this list is backed by scientific studies – from NASA’s clean air experiments to horticultural research – confirming that they can remove certain toxins from the air. And thanks to organizations like the ASPCA, we know these varieties are non-toxic to pets, so you can have peace of mind as you decorate your home with greenery.
Do remember that while plants enhance air quality, they work best as part of a holistic approach: adequate ventilation, reducing sources of pollutants, and perhaps an air purifier for heavy-duty filtration in tandem with your green friends. Nonetheless, the psychological and aesthetic benefits of indoor plants are undeniable – they create a calming atmosphere, add humidity, and even reduce stress for you and your animals. Plus, caring for plants can be a therapeutic routine.
All the plants mentioned are available through Fur & Flora’s curated collection of pet-safe plants, so you can easily add them to your home and even coordinate decorative pots to match your style. Here’s to a home filled with clean air, happy pets, and thriving plants. Breathe easy and enjoy the natural goodness these houseplants bring to you and your four-legged family members!
🌿 Our Air-Purifying Sets bring together top performers like these in a ready-to-go bundle, handpicked for clean air and happy pets.