6 Best RV Plants That Are Pet Friendly That Also Purify Air

Living in a recreational vehicle with a pet means every square inch and every item you bring aboard matters. You’re constantly balancing function, safety, and the simple need for your space to feel like a home. One of the best ways to improve your rolling home is surprisingly simple: add a few plants. They do more than just look good; they actively make your small space healthier and more livable for everyone, including your four-legged co-pilot.

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Why RV Life Needs Pet-Safe, Purifying Plants

The air inside an RV can get stale, fast. You’re living in a small, tightly sealed box filled with materials that can off-gas chemicals like formaldehyde. Add in cooking smells, humidity from showers, and the simple reality of multiple beings breathing in a confined space, and you’ve got a recipe for poor air quality. Air-purifying plants are a natural, low-tech solution to actively filter out some of these common indoor pollutants.

Now, add a dog or a cat to the mix. Their natural curiosity means anything at their level is fair game for a sniff, a chew, or a playful swat. Many popular houseplants, like Snake Plants or Pothos, are toxic to pets and can lead to a frantic search for an emergency vet in an unfamiliar town—a situation no RVer wants. Choosing plants that are explicitly non-toxic is not just a preference; it’s a critical safety measure.

This is where the magic happens. The best RV plants pull double duty. They scrub the air you and your pets breathe while posing zero risk if your cat decides to nibble a leaf. It’s about creating a holistic, healthy environment. You’re not just decorating; you’re investing in the well-being of your entire crew.

Spider Plant: The Ultimate Hardy RV Companion

If you can only have one plant in your rig, make it a Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum). There’s a reason these are dorm room classics—they are incredibly difficult to kill. They tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from a bright window to a dimmer corner, and they’ll forgive you if you forget to water them for a week. This resilience is perfect for the unpredictable nature of RV life.

Beyond its toughness, the Spider Plant is an air-purifying champion. NASA’s Clean Air Study famously highlighted its ability to remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air, two chemicals commonly found in RV building materials and furnishings. And, most importantly, it’s completely non-toxic to both cats and dogs, so you can rest easy.

The best way to keep a Spider Plant in an RV is in a hanging basket. This keeps it off your limited counter space and safely out of the path of a wagging tail or a curious cat. As it grows, it will send out "spiderettes," or baby plants, that you can easily propagate, giving you more green for your rig or a gift for a fellow RVer.

Parlor Palm: Low-Light Elegance for Your Rig

Many RV interiors don’t get consistent, direct sunlight. That’s where the Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) shines. This plant brings a touch of tropical, elegant greenery to your space and thrives in the lower-light conditions common in rigs parked under trees or on cloudy days.

It’s a slow grower, which is a huge advantage in a small space. You won’t have to worry about it quickly outgrowing its designated corner. This makes it a fantastic, low-maintenance floor plant that adds height and texture without demanding constant attention or pruning.

The Parlor Palm is on the ASPCA’s list of non-toxic plants, making it a safe choice for pet owners. It also helps purify the air by filtering out benzene and trichloroethylene. For a rig, it’s a sophisticated-looking plant that is actually incredibly forgiving and functional.

Boston Fern: A Natural Air-Purifying Humidifier

The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a lush, vibrant plant that does more than just look pretty. It’s a powerhouse when it comes to air purification, particularly for removing formaldehyde. Its real superpower for RV life, however, is its ability to act as a natural humidifier.

RV air, especially when you’re running the furnace in colder climates, can become incredibly dry. This can be uncomfortable for both you and your pets. A healthy Boston Fern releases moisture into the air, helping to balance the humidity levels in your rig naturally. Placing one in the main living area or even the bathroom can make a noticeable difference.

Now for the tradeoff: Boston Ferns require more care than a Spider Plant. They need consistently moist soil (not soggy) and higher humidity to thrive, which can be a challenge. You’ll need to mist it regularly or keep it in your RV bathroom to catch steam from the shower. If you’re willing to give it a little extra attention, the air quality benefits are well worth it.

Prayer Plant: Colorful Foliage for Small Spaces

Looking for a splash of color and personality? The Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) is your answer. Its stunning leaves feature intricate patterns of green, cream, and pink, and they have a fascinating habit of folding up at night, like hands in prayer. It’s a small plant with a big visual impact.

Because of its compact size, the Prayer Plant is ideal for RV shelves and small tables where a larger plant wouldn’t fit. It prefers bright, indirect light, so a spot near a window but out of the direct sun is perfect. Its unique foliage adds a decorative touch that can make a sterile RV interior feel much more like a custom home.

This plant is completely pet-safe, so you don’t have to worry about a curious pet taking a bite. While it’s not the top-rated air purifier on this list, it still contributes to a healthier indoor ecosystem. It’s the perfect choice when you want a plant that is as much a piece of living art as it is a functional green companion.

Haworthia Zebra Plant: A Low-Water RV Favorite

For the RVer who loves the look of succulents but needs a pet-safe option, the Haworthia Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis attenuata) is a clear winner. It has a striking, spiky appearance similar to aloe vera but is completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. Its dark green leaves with bold white stripes add a modern, architectural feel to any space.

This plant’s greatest asset is its drought tolerance. RV life can be hectic, and watering plants might not always be top of mind. The Haworthia thrives on neglect; in fact, overwatering is the easiest way to kill it. It stores water in its leaves, so it can go weeks without a drink, making it the ultimate low-maintenance travel buddy.

Like many succulents, the Haworthia is a great choice for a bedside table. It performs a type of photosynthesis that allows it to release oxygen at night (unlike most plants), which can subtly improve the air quality in your small sleeping quarters. It’s small, tough, pet-safe, and asks for almost nothing in return.

Pachira Aquatica: The Resilient Money Tree Plant

The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica), with its signature braided trunk and bright green leaves, is often associated with good luck and prosperity. In an RV, its greatest quality is its resilience. This plant can handle a bit of inconsistent watering and a range of light conditions, adapting well to the mobile lifestyle.

It’s a fantastic, pet-friendly choice that adds the feel of a small tree to your interior without the massive footprint. While they can grow large, smaller, more manageable versions are readily available and will stay compact for years. This makes it a great option for a floor pot in a corner of the slide-out or a larger countertop.

The Money Tree is also an effective air purifier, known for its ability to reduce pollutants. It’s a statement plant that is surprisingly easy to care for and completely safe for your furry friends. It proves you don’t have to stick to tiny plants just because you live in a small space.

Securing Your Plants for Safe RV Travel Days

Having plants is one thing; keeping them in one piece while you’re bouncing down the highway is another. On travel days, everything that isn’t tied down becomes a potential projectile. This isn’t just about preventing a mess of dirt on the floor; it’s a serious safety issue for you, your pets, and your rig’s interior.

There are several tried-and-true methods for securing your green companions. The simplest is to move them. Place smaller pots in the kitchen sink or on the floor of your shower, cushioned with towels. For plants on shelves, a small patch of museum putty or heavy-duty Velcro on the bottom of the pot can work wonders to keep them in place during transit.

For hanging plants, either take them down and secure them or use hooks that have a closing clasp to prevent the basket from bouncing off. The goal is to create a system that is quick and repeatable. A few minutes of prep before you pull in the slides can save you from a broken pot, a damaged cabinet, or a stressed-out pet.

Bringing plants into your RV is about more than just decoration. It’s a simple, powerful way to create a healthier, safer, and more beautiful home on wheels for you and your pets. Start with one, secure it for travel, and enjoy the fresh air and vibrant life it brings to your small space.