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Veterinary Botany & Household Safety

Houseplant pet toxicity quick directory.

Search common indoor plants and review reported toxicity concerns for cats and dogs. A listing cannot determine what care an exposed pet needs.

These categories summarize published plant listings for a correctly identified species. The ASPCA notes that any plant material can cause stomach upset and its database is not exhaustive. If your pet ate an unknown or potentially toxic plant, contact a veterinarian or poison service promptly.

Cat and dog separated from plants in a closed cabinet.
AI-generated botanical illustration.
Matching plants: 30 Emergency Poison Directory
High hazard
Cat

True Lilies (Easter, Tiger, Asiatic, Stargazer)

Lilium & Hemerocallis spp. • Liliaceae
Toxicity note: Unknown water-soluble nephrotoxin

In cats, exposure can cause acute kidney injury. Pollen and vase water are also concerns; seek veterinary advice immediately.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa • Araceae
Toxicity note: Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (raphides)

Severe oral pain, intense burning sensation, excessive hypersalivation, swollen tongue and pharynx.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Spider Plant (Ribbon Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum • Asparagaceae
Toxicity note: Listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA

ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing plant material may still cause stomach upset.

High hazard
Cat • Dog

Sago Palm

Cycas revoluta • Cycadaceae
Toxicity note: Cycasin

Ingestion can cause vomiting, bleeding, liver damage or failure, and death. Any suspected exposure needs urgent veterinary advice.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Golden Pothos (Devil's Ivy)

Epipremnum aureum • Araceae
Toxicity note: Insoluble calcium oxalate needles

Oral irritation, mouth pawing, head shaking, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Boston Fern (Sword Fern)

Nephrolepis exaltata • Nephrolepidaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by veterinary databases. A popular hanging-basket choice; still discourage chewing.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem)

Zamioculcas zamiifolia • Araceae
Toxicity note: Calcium oxalate crystals

Stomach irritation, vomiting, drooling, mucosal burning upon chewing.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Calathea & Prayer Plants

Goeppertia & Maranta spp. • Marantaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Its foliage has varied patterns.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)

Dieffenbachia seguine • Araceae
Toxicity note: Calcium oxalate + proteolytic enzymes

Extreme vocal cord inflammation, temporary mutism, airway obstruction, intense oral swelling.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior • Asparagaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs; discourage chewing and monitor for stomach upset.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Spathiphyllum wallisii • Araceae
Toxicity note: Insoluble calcium oxalates (not a true lily)

Oral irritation, foamy salivation, vomiting. Does not cause acute kidney failure like true Lilium lilies.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Peperomia (Watermelon, Baby Rubber)

Peperomia spp. • Piperaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Confirm the species and discourage chewing.

Caution
Cat • Dog

Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue)

Dracaena trifasciata • Asparagaceae
Toxicity note: Steroidal saponins

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hypersalivation due to bitter saponin surfactants.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Phalaenopsis Orchid (Moth Orchid)

Phalaenopsis spp. • Orchidaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Widely listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Any plant can still upset a stomach if eaten in quantity.

Caution
Cat • Dog

Poinsettia

Euphorbia pulcherrima • Euphorbiaceae
Toxicity note: Irritant sap

Sap can irritate the mouth and stomach and may cause vomiting. This summary cannot determine the severity of an individual exposure; contact a veterinarian after suspected ingestion.

Read the ASPCA listing
Toxic
Cat • Dog

Fiddle Leaf Fig & Rubber Tree

Ficus lyrata & Ficus elastica • Moraceae
Toxicity note: Ficins (proteolytic enzymes) & psoralens

Dermal irritation from white sap, oral discomfort, vomiting, ocular irritation if sap enters eyes.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Haworthia (Zebra Cactus)

Haworthiopsis fasciata • Asphodelaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Confirm the botanical name because similar-looking succulents may differ.

Caution
Cat • Dog

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis • Asphodelaceae
Toxicity note: Anthraquinone glycosides (aloin)

Reported signs include vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. Do not use this listing to choose a plant part or dose to give a pet; seek veterinary advice after suspected ingestion.

Read the ASPCA listing
Toxic
Cat • Dog

Jade Plant (Money Tree Succulent)

Crassula ovata • Crassulaceae
Toxicity note: Unidentified toxic principle

Vomiting, depression, ataxia (uncoordinated gait), slow heart rate (bradycardia).

Toxic
Cat • Dog

English Ivy

Hedera helix • Araliaceae
Toxicity note: Triterpenoid saponins (hederagenin)

Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Christmas Cactus (Holiday Cactus)

Schlumbergera bridgesii • Cactaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Widely listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing may still cause mild stomach upset.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Parlor Palm (Neanthe Bella)

Chamaedorea elegans • Arecaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Tolerates low to medium light.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Money Tree (Guiana Chestnut)

Pachira aquatica • Malvaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA; chewing may still upset the stomach.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

African Violet

Saintpaulia ionantha • Gesneriaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A popular flowering tabletop choice.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum • Araceae
Toxicity note: Calcium oxalate raphides

Oral irritation, pain, swelling of lips, tongue, and throat, excessive salivation, vomiting.

High hazard
Cat • Dog

Oleander

Nerium oleander • Apocynaceae
Toxicity note: Cardiac glycosides (oleandrin, nerine)

All parts are poisonous. Exposure can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, and collapse; seek urgent veterinary advice.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Asparagus Fern (Emerald Fern)

Asparagus aethiopicus • Asparagaceae
Toxicity note: Sapogenin steroid

Allergic contact dermatitis upon brushing foliage; ingestion of berries causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Areca Palm (Butterfly Palm)

Dypsis lutescens • Arecaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

A large palm listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A pet-friendly choice for bright rooms.

Toxic
Cat • Dog

Begonia (Wax, Rex, Angel Wing)

Begonia spp. • Begoniaceae
Toxicity note: Soluble and insoluble calcium oxalates

Oral burning, hypersalivation, vomiting. Underground tubers contain the highest toxin concentrations.

Listed non-toxic
Listed non-toxic

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya • Acanthaceae
Toxicity note: Non-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs; eating any plant may still cause stomach upset.

No matching plants found

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Emergency Protocol for Pet Plant Ingestion

If you suspect your dog or cat chewed or ingested a toxic plant, time is critical. Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a veterinarian.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control (APCC)

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year across the United States and Canada.

Call: (888) 426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline

24/7 animal poison control service for pet owners and veterinary professionals.

Call: (855) 764-7661

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about plant care and this tool.

True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) can cause acute kidney injury in cats; even small exposures need prompt veterinary advice. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) can cause severe liver injury in cats and dogs. Early treatment matters, so do not wait for symptoms.

These aroids contain tiny, needle-shaped insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in cells called idioblasts. Chewing a leaf or stem releases the crystals into a pet’s mouth, causing severe burning, swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.

Immediately check the pet’s mouth and remove any remaining plant matter. Note the plant species or take a clear photograph, and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. Never induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a licensed veterinarian.

The ASPCA lists spider plants, Boston ferns, several Peperomia species, prayer plants, and African violets as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Confirm the botanical name before choosing a plant, and remember that chewing any plant can still upset a pet’s stomach.

Further reading and references

  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Comprehensive Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants Database — American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Veterinary plant listings with toxic substances, including calcium oxalate, saponins, and lycorine, and signs of poisoning. [Source ]
  2. Pet Poison Helpline Toxic Plant Directory & Emergency Management — Pet Poison Helpline (Triple Crown Toxicology) Veterinary guidance on signs of plant ingestion in cats and dogs and on removing or reducing exposure. [Source ]
  3. ASPCA: Sago Palm — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Species-specific toxicity listing and advice to contact a veterinarian promptly after suspected ingestion. [Source ]