Plants That Are Safe for Pet Birds By Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 02/28/26 Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board Credit: Maria Nikiforova / Getty Images Key Takeaways Many houseplants can be toxic to pet birds, causing symptoms from mild digestive upset to severe illness or death.Safe houseplants for birds include spider plants, jade plants, Boston ferns, aloe vera, bamboo, and African violets.Roses are safe for birds if untreated with chemicals, making them a great option for indoor flower arrangements. Many houseplants, while adding beauty to our homes, can be toxic to pet birds. Toxic plants can cause symptoms ranging from mild digestive upset to severe illness or even death, depending on the bird's size and the amount ingested. However, several houseplants are safe and enjoyable for bird owners to have in their homes. 01 of 09 Spider Plant Credit: Image Source / Getty Images These exotic-looking plants are both easy to grow and safe for birds. A spider plant in a hanging basket can be an attractive decoration in any home. 02 of 09 Jade Credit: Massimo Russo / EyeEm / Getty Images Jade plants (also known as money plants) are a succulent variety that is safe for birds and adds a unique touch to any room. Easy to care for, they are a popular choice as low-maintenance houseplants. 03 of 09 Boston Fern Credit: automidori / Getty Images These lush, hardy plants can offer a natural touch to your decor. As a bonus, there's no need to worry if your pet parrot finds them as beautiful as you do. Boston ferns are completely safe plants for birds. 04 of 09 Aloe Vera Credit: Nacivet / Getty Images Not only is aloe vera safe and non-toxic, but it also has medicinal qualities that can help both sick birds and people. Throw in the fact that it's a snap to take care of, and it's easy to see why aloe has been a popular houseplant for many years. Continue to 5 of 9 below 05 of 09 Bamboo Credit: Cristina Pedrazzini / Getty Images Bamboo is a striking plant that is also quite hardy and safe for birds. Bamboo can be incorporated into many beautiful arrangements to give any space an attractive touch of nature. 06 of 09 African Violet Credit: gladassfanny / Getty Images Feel free to keep these small but beautiful flowers anywhere inside your home. They are completely safe plants for parrots and other pet birds. African violets are known to flower several times a year, so add one of these little jewels to your collection for an enduring splash of color. 07 of 09 Hen and Chicks Credit: Yukari Yamashita / EyeEm / Getty Images The appropriately named hen and chicks is a bird-safe plant that thrives in direct sunlight. If you'd like to enjoy one of these unique little succulents, make sure you have a sunny window for it. 08 of 09 Orchid Credit: Ivan / Getty Images Orchids, admired for their stunning blossoms, have long been popular houseplants. They are safe for birds and make a great choice for experienced plant owners. However, orchids are known to be challenging to cultivate. Continue to 9 of 9 below 09 of 09 Rose 'Royal Sunset' climbing rose. Credit: Ryan Somma / Flickr / CC By 2.0 While roses aren't normally grown indoors, they are popular in indoor cut-flower arrangements. The good news for bird owners is roses are safe for birds as long as they haven't been treated with chemical sprays. If you love having freshly cut flowers in your home, try growing some of your own roses to make arrangements. This way you can be sure the flowers are free of pesticides and other chemical residues. 10 Common Plants That Are Toxic to Birds FAQ Are there any precautions I should take while introducing new plants to a home with birds? Ensure that any new plant introduced is confirmed to be non-toxic to birds. It’s recommended to monitor the bird’s behavior around the new plant to avoid any accidents. Can houseplants help improve the air quality around my pet bird? Yes, some houseplants, such as spider plants and Boston ferns, are known to help improve indoor air quality, which can be beneficial for both birds and humans. However, be sure the plants are safe for birds before introducing them. Are there any specific parts of the plants that are harmful even if the rest is non-toxic? Generally, if a plant is non-toxic, all parts of it are safe. However, it’s still crucial to prevent excessive chewing or ingestion, as it might lead to digestive issues. 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