Which Houseplants Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Monstera deliciosa

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Keep out of reach of pets.

Epipremnum aureum

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Causes oral irritation, swelling, drooling, and vomiting if ingested. Hang the plant or place on a high shelf away from pets.

Dracaena trifasciata

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally not life-threatening but should be kept away from curious pets.

Ficus lyrata

Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap contains ficin and psoralen, which can cause skin irritation on contact and gastrointestinal upset if ingested. The white sap can also stain surfaces.

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Keep out of reach of pets and children.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Sap can also irritate skin, so wash hands after pruning.

Aloe barbadensis miller

Toxic to cats and dogs. The latex layer beneath the leaf skin contains saponins and anthraquinones, which cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy if ingested. The inner gel is less harmful, but keep the whole plant away from pets.

Ficus elastica

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap contains compounds that irritate the mouth and stomach if chewed, and can irritate skin on contact. Reactions are usually mild but unpleasant.

Philodendron hederaceum

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting when chewed. Hang out of reach of pets.

Crassula ovata

Toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes vomiting, lethargy, and incoordination. Keep on high, sunny shelves away from pets.

Hedera helix

Toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves contain saponins that cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain -- foliage is more toxic than the berries. Keep hanging baskets truly out of reach.

Dracaena marginata

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains saponins that cause vomiting (sometimes with blood), drooling, and in cats, dilated pupils. A common cause of feline plant poisoning -- keep out of reach.

Strelitzia nicolai

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves and especially the flowers and seeds cause nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness if ingested. Keep pets from chewing the foliage.

Anthurium andraeanum

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals causing intense oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. The sap can also irritate human skin.

Aglaonema commutatum

Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting when chewed.

Dieffenbachia seguine

Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and proteolytic enzymes; chewing causes intense burning, swelling of the mouth and tongue, and drooling -- the source of the common name 'dumb cane.' Keep away from pets and children and wash hands after pruning.

Codiaeum variegatum

Toxic to cats and dogs, and the milky sap irritates skin. Chewing causes drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea; the sap can cause contact dermatitis in people. Wear gloves when pruning.

Curio rowleyanus (syn. Senecio rowleyanus)

Toxic to cats and dogs, and the dangling bead-like strands are unfortunately tempting toys. Ingestion causes drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy; sap can irritate skin. Hang well out of reach.

Dracaena sanderiana

Toxic to cats and dogs (it is a dracaena, not a bamboo). Chewing causes vomiting, drooling, incoordination, and dilated pupils in cats. Keep the vase out of reach.

Chlorophytum comosum

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats are often attracted to the grassy leaves and may chew them, which can cause mild stomach upset but is not dangerous.

Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. One of the safest statement plants for households with pets.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. A safe choice for pet households -- though cats may nibble and flatten the fronds.

Pilea peperomioides

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. A safe and stylish choice for pet households.

Hoya carnosa

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap can cause mild irritation if a pet chews a large amount, but hoyas are considered pet-safe.

Pachira aquatica

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing may cause mild stomach upset, but the money tree is considered a pet-safe houseplant.

Phalaenopsis spp.

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Phalaenopsis orchids are among the safest flowering plants for pet households.

Chamaedorea elegans

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. A classic pet-safe choice -- one of the reasons it has been a houseplant staple since Victorian times.

Ravenea rivularis

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe for pet households -- though cats find the arching fronds irresistible to chew.

Peperomia obtusifolia

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. The whole peperomia family is pet-safe, one of its quiet superpowers.

Maranta leuconeura

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Like the rest of the Marantaceae family, prayer plants are pet-safe.