15 pet-safe houseplants
Non-toxic houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs, organized by how much light you have — from dark corners to sunny windows.
Pets & Plants
Hoya
Waxy leaves and sweet-smelling star-shaped flowers. Pet-safe and drought-tolerant.
Hoya carnosa · also called Wax plant
A cluster of star-shaped Hoya carnosa flowers with nectar drops. Photo: Franz van Duns, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Light
Hoya tolerates: medium / indirect, bright indirect or some sun. Put it within a few feet of a window; a dark corner will make it weak and leggy.
Watering
Water when the soil is almost dry, every 1–3 weeks. Thick leaves store water.
Is hoya safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Size and humidity
Typical size indoors: Vines 3–6 ft (1–2 m). Humidity: not fussy at all.
Top tips
- Do not cut off old flower spurs — it reblooms from them.
- Likes being a little root-bound.
- More light = more flowers.
Guides that mention the hoya
