Which houseplants are safe for cats and dogs?
Short answer
Of the 26 plants below, 12 are listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs, including spider plant, prayer plant, African violet, Christmas cactus and moth orchids. Popular plants such as pothos, peace lily, monstera, snake plant and aloe vera are toxic to them. If a pet eats a toxic plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435.
Check a plant
Showing all 26 plants.
| Plant | Dogs | Cats | Horses | Signs and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African violet Saintpaulia | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [1] |
| Aloe vera Aloe vera | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Vomiting (not in horses), lethargy, diarrhea. [2] |
| Bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Mild nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, mainly from the fruit and seeds. [3] |
| Burro’s tail Sedum morganianum | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [4] |
| Christmas cactus Schlumbergera | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [5] |
| Corn plant Dracaena fragrans | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Vomiting (sometimes with blood), depression, loss of appetite, drooling; dilated pupils in cats. [6] |
| Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) Dieffenbachia | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. [7] |
| Dracaena Dracaena | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Vomiting (sometimes with blood), depression, loss of appetite, drooling; dilated pupils in cats. [8] |
| English ivy Hedera helix | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea. Leaves are more toxic than berries. [9] |
| Hens and chickens Echeveria elegans | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [10] |
| Jade plant Crassula ovata | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Vomiting, depression, loss of coordination. [11] |
| Lucky bamboo Dracaena sanderiana | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Clemson lists it as toxic to pets; it can also irritate people’s skin. [12] |
| Monstera Monstera deliciosa | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. [13] |
| Moth orchid Phalaenopsis | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [14] |
| Parlor palm Chamaedorea elegans | Safe | Safe | Not listed | No signs listed: non-toxic. [15] |
| Peace lily Spathiphyllum | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. [16] |
| Peperomia: baby rubber plant Peperomia obtusifolia | Safe | Safe | Not listed | No signs listed: non-toxic. [17] |
| Peperomia: watermelon Peperomia argyreia | Safe | Safe | Not listed | No signs listed: non-toxic. [18] |
| Philodendron (heartleaf) Philodendron hederaceum | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. [19] |
| Ponytail palm Beaucarnea recurvata | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [20] |
| Pothos Epipremnum aureum | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing. [21] |
| Prayer plant Maranta leuconeura | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [22] |
| Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata | Toxic | Toxic | Not listed | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. [23] |
| Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum | Safe | Safe | Not listed | Not toxic, but Clemson notes cats eating a lot of it can vomit or have diarrhea. [24, 25] |
| Zebra haworthia Haworthia fasciata | Safe | Safe | Safe | No signs listed: non-toxic. [26] |
| ZZ plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Not pet-safe | Not pet-safe | Not listed | Clemson lists it as not pet-safe; the ASPCA list doesn’t include it. [27] |
No plant matches. Try its other name, or check the full ASPCA plant list.
“Not listed” means the source doesn’t mention that animal; it isn’t a sign the plant is safe.
If your pet chewed a toxic plant
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
- Have the plant’s name ready: this list gives both the common and the scientific name.
- Plants with calcium oxalate crystals (pothos, peace lily, monstera, philodendron, dieffenbachia) cause intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
Toxic to cats or dogs
Aloe vera, Bird of paradise, Corn plant, Dieffenbachia (dumb cane), Dracaena, English ivy, Jade plant, Lucky bamboo, Monstera, Peace lily, Philodendron (heartleaf), Pothos, Snake plant, ZZ plant.
Non-toxic to both cats and dogs
African violet, Burro’s tail, Christmas cactus, Hens and chickens, Moth orchid, Parlor palm, Peperomia: baby rubber plant, Peperomia: watermelon, Ponytail palm, Prayer plant, Spider plant, Zebra haworthia.
Sources
Checked against these sources on November 10, 2026. The wording is our own.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: African Violet. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Aloe. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia reginae). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Burro’s Tail. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Christmas Cactus. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Corn Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Dieffenbachia. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Dracaena. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: English Ivy. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hens and Chickens. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Jade Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- How To Grow and Care for Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana). Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Feb 2, 2026.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Mexican Breadfruit (Monstera deliciosa). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Phalaenopsis Orchid. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Parlor Palm. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Peace Lily. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Baby Rubber Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Watermelon Peperomia. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Heartleaf Philodendron. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Bottle Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Golden Pothos. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Prayer Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Snake Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Spider Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Exciting Houseplant Selections for Beginners. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Jul 28, 2025.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Zebra Haworthia. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Indoor Care, Growing Tips & Plant Guide (HGIC 1570). Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Published Jun 8, 2026.
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