Pet safe plants to give as gifts

Giving a toxic plant to a house with a curious cat creates a problem rather than a present. Cats in particular chew leaves, and lilies are dangerous enough to them that vets treat it as an emergency. This guide keeps to plants you can hand over without a warning attached.

We don't sell plants - we make cards, pin badges and prints in house, printed in the UK. So this is a straight guide to the plant, and the card to send with it.

If you're unsure about a specific plant, check the Dogs Trust, Cats Protection or your vet before buying - lists vary and it's a two minute job.

Safe around cats and dogs

• Spider plant - non-toxic, cheap and the most cat-tolerant plant there is, though cats do enjoy chewing it.
• Calathea and prayer plant - non-toxic, though fussy about humidity.
• Areca palm and parlour palm - safe, and big enough to look like a real gift.
• Boston fern - non-toxic and happy in a bathroom.
• African violet - small, flowering and safe.
• Peperomia - compact, varied and non-toxic.
• Herbs like basil, rosemary and thyme - safe and useful.

Common gift plants that are toxic

• Lilies, including peace lilies - dangerous to cats. Never send one to a house with a cat.
• Monstera, pothos and philodendron - all irritant if chewed, and all very common gifts.
• Sago palm - seriously toxic to dogs.
• Aloe vera - mildly toxic to both cats and dogs despite its reputation as a healing plant.
• Poinsettia, holly, mistletoe and amaryllis - the Christmas set, all best avoided in pet homes.
• Daffodil and tulip bulbs - toxic, and dogs dig them up.

If a pet eats a plant

• Take the plant away and note its name, or photograph the label.
• Ring your vet straight away for anything from the lily family, particularly for cats.
• Don't try to make them sick unless the vet tells you to.
• Watch for drooling, vomiting, lethargy or pawing at the mouth.
• Keep the plant label - it makes the vet's job much quicker.

Making a plant gift pet-proof

• Choose a heavy pot. A knocked-over plant is the most likely outcome, not poisoning.
• Suggest a shelf or hanging spot in the card.
• Top the soil with pebbles so the dog doesn't dig it out.
• Give a herb pot to a cat household - safe, and they can grow cat grass alongside.
• Mention on the card that you checked it's pet safe. It's a small thing and people notice.

Shop cards

Pin badges for pet people

Enamel pin badges, entirely non-toxic and far harder to chew.

How to write it so it lands

• Check the plant against a vet charity list before you buy - lists differ slightly between species.
• A herb pot is the safest plant gift for a cat household, and it gets used.
• Heavy pot, high shelf. Most pet and plant incidents are gravity, not poison.
• Write the plant's name on the card so the vet isn't guessing later.

Where to shop next

• Plant gifts UK
• What plant to give for each occasion
• How to wrap a plant as a gift
• Plants as a housewarming gift
• Plant meanings and symbolism
• Low maintenance plants to give
• Sympathy and memorial plants
• Plants as seasonal gifts
• How to keep a gifted plant alive
• Pet guides
• Gift wrapping ideas
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

Which houseplants are safe for cats?

Spider plants, calatheas, parlour palms, Boston ferns, African violets, peperomias and most culinary herbs are all listed as non-toxic to cats.

Are peace lilies safe for cats?

No. Peace lilies cause irritation, and true lilies are severely toxic to cats. Never send either to a cat household - ring a vet immediately if one is eaten.

Is aloe vera safe for dogs?

No. Aloe vera is mildly toxic to both dogs and cats if eaten, despite being safe for human skin.

What should I do if my dog eats a houseplant?

Remove the plant, identify it, and call your vet. Don't induce vomiting unless you're told to, and take the label with you if you go in.