Pet-Safe Houseplants for Cats and Dogs
Common houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs, common ones it lists as toxic, and what to do if a pet eats a plant.
Published by ThriveThyme
houseplants pets cats dogs ASPCA
Pet-Safe Houseplants for Cats and Dogs
The ASPCA keeps the most used list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Everything below links to its ASPCA entry. The list is not exhaustive, and non-toxic does not mean edible: a pet that chews a lot of any plant can still vomit.
If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
Listed as Non-Toxic to Cats and Dogs
| Plant | ASPCA entry |
|---|---|
| Spider plant | Spider Plant |
| Boston fern | Boston Fern |
| Calathea | Calathea |
| Prayer plant | Prayer Plant |
| Moth orchid | Phalaenopsis Orchid |
| African violet | African Violet |
| Christmas cactus | Christmas Cactus |
| Peperomia | Baby Rubber Plant |
| Hoya | Wax Plant |
| Parlor palm | Parlor Palm |
| Areca palm | Areca Palm |
| Money tree | Money Tree |
| Ponytail palm | Bottle Palm |
| Cast iron plant | Cast Iron Plant |
| Haworthia | Haworthia |
| Echeveria | Hens and Chickens |
| Burro's tail | Burro's Tail |
| Polka dot plant | Polka Dot Plant |
| Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) | Aluminum Plant |
Common Houseplants Listed as Toxic
| Plant | ASPCA entry |
|---|---|
| Pothos | Golden Pothos |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Heartleaf Philodendron |
| Monstera | Swiss Cheese Plant |
| Snake plant | Snake Plant |
| Peace lily | Peace Lily |
| Aloe | Aloe |
| Jade plant | Jade Plant |
| Dracaena | Corn Plant |
| Chinese evergreen | Chinese Evergreen |
| Dieffenbachia | Dieffenbachia |
| English ivy | English Ivy |
| Arrowhead plant | Arrow-Head Vine |
| Bird of paradise | Bird of Paradise Flower |
| Ficus (fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, weeping fig) | Weeping Fig, Ficus sp. |
Arum family plants such as pothos, philodendron, monstera, peace lily, and dieffenbachia contain calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing them usually causes mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting.
Not on the List
ZZ plant, string of pearls, and most desert cacti are not on the ASPCA list. ZZ is in the arum family, and string of pearls belongs to a group with known toxic species, so treat both as unsafe around pets. Cactus spines can injure curious pets. Note that true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis) are not houseplants most people grow long term, but they are extremely dangerous to cats, including the pollen.
Practical Tips
- Hang trailing toxic plants out of reach, or keep them in a room pets cannot enter.
- Cats chew spider plants and grasses. Give them their own pot of cat grass.
- Check new plants against the ASPCA list before you bring them home. Use the pet-safe filter on the houseplant care table.
- Growing food too? The Pet-Safe Garden Finder covers vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit.