Pet safety
Houseplants toxic to cats and dogs
A quick-reference list of common houseplants and whether they're safe to have around cats and dogs, based on the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plants database.
This list covers houseplants people ask about most — it isn't exhaustive. If a plant isn't listed here, check the ASPCA database directly. "Toxic" here ranges from mild mouth irritation to genuine emergencies (marked below) — severity isn't the same for every plant on the list.
| Plant | Toxic to cats | Toxic to dogs | Severity | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African violet Saintpaulia spp. |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. |
| Alocasia (elephant ear) Alocasia spp. |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Aloe vera Aloe vera |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea (saponins, anthraquinones). The clear inner gel is considered safe; the risk is from the whole leaf and outer skin. |
| Boston fern Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. |
| Caladium (elephant ear) Caladium hortulanum |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Calathea Calathea spp. |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. Mild stomach upset is possible from any plant material. |
| Chinese evergreen Aglaonema modestum |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Croton Codiaeum variegatum |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea (diterpenoid irritants in the sap). |
| Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) Dieffenbachia seguine |
Yes | Yes | Moderate | Intense oral burning, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates and a proteolytic enzyme). |
| English ivy Hedera helix |
Yes | Yes | Moderate | Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea (triterpenoid saponins). Leaves are riskier than berries. |
| Fiddle-leaf fig Ficus lyrata |
Yes | Yes | Mild | Mild oral or GI irritation from ingestion (ficin, psoralen); the milky sap can also irritate skin on contact. |
| Jade plant Crassula ovata |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Vomiting, lethargy, incoordination. Exact toxic principle unknown. |
| Monstera Monstera deliciosa |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Orchid (Phalaenopsis) Phalaenopsis spp. |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. |
| Parlor palm Chamaedorea elegans |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. |
| Peace lily Spathiphyllum spp. |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). Not a true lily — much less dangerous to cats than Lilium species. |
| Philodendron Philodendron hederaceum and other Philodendron spp. |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima |
Yes | Yes | Mild | Mouth and stomach irritation, occasional vomiting from the irritant sap. Less dangerous than its reputation. |
| Pothos Epipremnum aureum |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (insoluble calcium oxalates). |
| Rubber plant Ficus elastica |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | GI upset and mouth/skin irritation from the latex sap (ficin, psoralen). |
| Sago palm Cycas revoluta |
Yes | Yes | Severe — can be fatal | Vomiting, dark or bloody stool, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, liver failure. The seeds are the most toxic part (cycasin); treat any ingestion as an emergency. |
| Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata |
Yes | Yes | Mild | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (saponins). |
| Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum |
No | No | Non-toxic | None expected. Mild stomach upset is possible from any plant material. |
| String of pearls Senecio rowleyanus |
Yes | Yes | Mild | Vomiting, lethargy. |
| ZZ plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
Yes | Yes | Mild to moderate | Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting (calcium oxalate raphides). |
This page is a general reference, not veterinary advice. Fact-checked against the ASPCA's plant database at time of writing — always confirm with your vet or the ASPCA directly if your pet has eaten something.
Common questions
Is pothos toxic to cats?
Yes. Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalates that cause oral irritation, drooling and vomiting if a cat chews on it. It's rarely fatal, but keep it out of reach.
What's the most dangerous common houseplant for pets?
Sago palm. Every part is toxic, but the seeds are especially concentrated with cycasin, which can cause liver failure. Treat any ingestion as an emergency and call a vet immediately.
What should I do if my pet eats a toxic plant?
Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your vet right away — don't wait for symptoms. Bring or photograph the plant so it can be identified.
Are succulents safe for cats and dogs?
It depends on the species — this list isn't exhaustive. Haworthia and jade-adjacent succulents vary in toxicity, so check the specific plant by name rather than assuming all succulents are safe.