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How much light and water does a pothos, monstera or fiddle-leaf fig need, and is it safe around cats and dogs? This chart covers twenty-four common houseplants, grouped from easy low-light plants to humidity lovers and succulents.
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Light, water, humidity and pet safety for twenty-four common houseplants.
| Plant | Light | Water | Humidity | Cats & dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Bright indirect; tolerates low | Let the mix dry between waterings | Average | TOXIC |
| Snake plant | Low to bright | Dry out fully; every 1-2 months in winter | Low | TOXIC |
| ZZ plant | Low to bright indirect | Dry out fully between waterings | Low | TOXIC * |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Medium; tolerates low | Keep slightly moist | Medium | TOXIC |
| Cast iron plant | Low, shade | Regularly spring to autumn, sparingly in winter | Average | Non-toxic |
| Chinese evergreen | Low to medium | Keep moist spring to autumn | High; tolerates dry | TOXIC |
| Parlor palm | Bright indirect; tolerates low | Let it dry slightly between waterings | Low to medium | Non-toxic |
| Peace lily | Low, part to deep shade | Keep moist; let dry slightly; bottom-watering works | High | TOXIC |
| Plant | Light | Water | Humidity | Cats & dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monstera | Moderate bright, no direct sun | Water when the top quarter to third is dry | High | TOXIC |
| Fiddle-leaf fig | Bright indirect, no afternoon sun | Easily overwatered; let the top dry | Medium | TOXIC * |
| Rubber plant | Bright indirect, no afternoon sun | Regularly; less in autumn and winter | Medium | TOXIC |
| Spider plant | Medium; no direct sun | Keep evenly moist | Average | Non-toxic |
| Dracaena (corn plant) | Bright to moderate, filtered | Evenly moist in growth; less in winter | Medium | TOXIC |
| Areca palm | Bright indirect | Moist, never soggy | Medium to high | Non-toxic |
| English ivy | Moderate indirect | Water when the surface is dry | Medium | TOXIC |
| Peperomia obtusifolia | Bright indirect; tolerates low | Let it dry between waterings | Medium to low | Non-toxic |
| Plant | Light | Water | Humidity | Cats & dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston fern | Bright indirect | Never let it dry out | High | Non-toxic |
| Calathea | Medium to low, indirect | Evenly moist; rain or distilled water | High | Non-toxic |
| Prayer plant | Bright indirect | Evenly moist; drier in winter | High | Non-toxic |
| Moth orchid | Low to medium; east window | About weekly; let the bark dry a little | High | Non-toxic |
| Christmas cactus | Bright indirect | Evenly moist in spring and summer; less as buds form | High | Non-toxic |
| Plant | Light | Water | Humidity | Cats & dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe vera | Sunny window | Let it dry out fully | Dry air is fine | TOXIC |
| Jade plant | Sunny, some afternoon shade | Water when dry; less in winter | Dry air is fine | TOXIC |
| Haworthia | Bright indirect or sun | Let it dry out fully | Average | Non-toxic |
Most houseplants die from too much water, not too little: check the soil with a finger before you water.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list for cats and dogs (rubber plant: listed under Ficus). * ZZ plant and fiddle-leaf fig are not on the ASPCA list; NC State Extension rates both toxic to cats and dogs. Care from NC State Extension. If a pet eats a plant, call a vet.