Apartment living can be as green and jungle-y as you want it to be — no backyard needed!  You can create your own little urban jungle right inside your apartment, all without worrying about your curious pets ingesting something they shouldn’t.

That's the beauty of pet-safe tropical plants!

These leafy friends not only add a touch of life and color to your space, but they can also help purify the air and boost your mood. Plus, caring for them can be a fun and rewarding hobby!  Here's a breakdown of some amazing pet-safe tropical plants that will thrive in your apartment, regardless of your experience level.

12 great pet-safe indoor plants

Boston fern

This lush, prehistoric-looking plant is a classic for a reason. It grows long and full when it’s healthy, and its long, feathery fronds cascading down from its pot add a burst of vibrant elegance to any room. These ferns prefer bright, indirect sunlight and like consistent moisture, so water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Boston ferns are moderately easy to care for, but keeping it humid by misting regularly or placing it on a pebble tray filled with water is key to a happy fern. And the best part? It's completely safe for your furry companions!

Money tree 

Looking for a touch of feng shui and good luck in your apartment? The money tree is your guy. This low-maintenance plant features braided trunks and glossy green leaves. It adapts to most light conditions, but bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. Go easy on the watering for this one, too —  wait until the soil feels completely dry to the touch before watering again. With an easy care routine and non-toxic foliage, the money tree is a perfect choice for busy pet owners.

Parlor palm

Bring a jungle vibe to your living room with one of these leafy fellas. With bright green leaves and an impressive height, this shade-loving palm adds a touch of sophistication and vertical décor to any indoor space. 

Parlor palms prefer medium to low light, so avoid displaying the plant in direct sunlight. Watering it is also pretty easy — just wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before giving it a drink. Overall, parlor palms are known for their easy care and for being non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for forgetful plant parents or those with curious pets.

Bromeliad

Embrace the colors and vibrancy of the tropics in your apartment with a bright bromeliad!

These vibrant flowering plants come in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, adding a real eye-catching touch to your indoor space. Their unique central "cup" holds water, and they can even thrive indoors without any soil! Bromeliads prefer bright, indirect sunlight and don't require frequent watering; just fill the central cup with water, let it sit for a few days, then discard the water. To keep them happy, give the leaves a regular misting to maintain humidity. The care might be more involved than most, but the reward is a stunning and pet-safe pop of color in your home!

Orchid

These sophisticated flowering plants come in a wide range of colors, shapes, sizes and varieties, so there’s sure to be one that fits your space perfectly. 

Don’t let orchids intimidate you, either — while they might seem high-maintenance, with proper care they can flourish indoors and reward you with stunning blooms. The key is finding a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and avoiding harsh rays. Watering requires a bit more attention — wait until the roots turn silver-gray, then soak the pot completely for a few minutes before letting it drain thoroughly. Orchids are moderately challenging, but with consistent watering and good air circulation, they'll become the statement piece of your pet-friendly indoor garden.

Prayer plant (maranta)  

The prayer plant, also known as a maranta, is known for its unique leaves that fold upwards at night, resembling praying hands. They come in a variety of colors and patterns that are sure to add some drama to your décor.  

Prayer plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight and consistent moisture, so water when the top inch of soil feels dry. While not the most demanding of plants, they do appreciate some extra humidity (they are tropical, after all!). Grouping plants together or placing them on a pebble tray with water can help create a mini humid microclimate for them to thrive in. 

Calathea

Looking for a plant with truly stunning foliage? The calathea is your match! 

These tropical beauties boast vibrantly patterned leaves in an array of colors, from deep greens and purples to pinks and whites. Similar to the prayer plant, they prefer bright, indirect sunlight and consistent moisture, so only wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before giving it another drink. Like their maranta cousins, the calathea enjoys some extra humidity and a mister or humidifier will work wonders for their health. Both the calathea and prayer plant are moderately challenging but non-toxic to pets, making them a rewarding choice for pet parents who are looking for an extra challenge. 

Areca palm

Craving a touch of the tropics without the footprint of a huge palm tree? The areca palm is your answer! 

This low-maintenance palm features feathery fronds that grow tall and lush, filling both vertical and horizontal space with greenery. Unlike some palms, the areca palm thrives in partial sun or indirect light, making it perfect for most apartments. Watering is easy, too; just wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before watering again.  

Banana tree

While you might not be harvesting bananas anytime soon, a banana tree can add a real sense of drama and a tropical flair to your indoor space with large, waxy, green leaves that unfurl dramatically as they grow. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight and consistent moisture, so water when the top inch of soil feels dry.  

Keep in mind that banana trees can grow quite large and fast, so be sure to choose a pot with ample room for growth. While moderately challenging due to their size and watering needs, banana trees are non-toxic to pets, making them a fun and bold choice for animal lovers with spacious apartments.

Chinese money plant

Also known as the pancake plant or UFO plant, the Chinese money plant is a popular choice for a reason.

This adorable little guy features round, coin-shaped leaves that sprout from long, delicate stems. It's also the perfect plant for busy plant parents since the plant practically thrives on neglect — water deeply when the soil feels completely dry, and allow for ample drainage to prevent rot. These low-maintenance cuties are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a perfect choice for busy pet (and plant) parents or those who are new to the houseplant game.

Spider plant

This cheerful and easy-going plant is a classic for a reason.

The spider plant features cascading green leaves that sprout adorable "spiderettes" (baby spider plants) along their runners. These little plantlets can be easily propagated to share with friends or can create a lush, cascading display in your own home. 

Spider plants are incredibly forgiving and adaptable and will thrive in most light conditions (though they prefer bright, indirect sunlight). They're also happy with occasional watering, so just wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before giving them a drink.

Low-maintenance, non-toxic to pets and readily multiplying, spider plants are a perfect choice for busy plant parents or those looking for an easy way to add greenery to their apartment.

Maidenhair fern

For a touch of delicate beauty, look no further than the maidenhair fern. This fern boasts wispy, green fronds that resemble a maiden's hair (hence the name!). While they might seem high-maintenance, with proper care they can add a touch of elegance and whimsy to your indoor space. 

The key is mimicking their natural tropical habitat as best you can — provide bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Humidity is crucial for maidenhair ferns, so misting them regularly or placing them on a pebble tray filled with water can help them thrive. While moderately challenging due to their humidity needs, maidenhair ferns are non-toxic to pets, making them a rewarding choice for experienced plant parents with curious companions who can appreciate their delicate beauty.

If you live in an apartment with a furry companion (or two, or three!), then these plants are A-okay for displaying safely around your home. 

Good luck!

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Featured photo by Heri Susilo on Unsplash