Do you love having houseplants in your home to brighten a space and to improve air quality? If you have pets that love to chew or eat your plants, choosing plants that won’t poison your beloved fur baby is important.
Why Avoid Toxic Houseplants for Pets
Many plants contain phytoxins, toxic substances that a plant naturally produces to defend itself against predators or diseases.
Always check with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) List of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants before purchasing a new plant to bring into your home.
11 Common Houseplants That Are Poisonous to Pets
Aloe (Aloe vera)
- Toxic compounds: Saponin and anthraquinone phytotoxins
- Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea
With over 300 varieties, aloe is a popular indoor plant but unsafe for pets.
If ingested, aloe (Aloe vera) can cause vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species)
- Toxic compounds: Lycorine and other toxic compounds
- Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, and tremors
There are over 90 different species of Amaryllis.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species) has over 90 different species.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Corn plant (Dracaena species)
- Toxic compounds: Saponins
- Symptoms: Vomiting (sometimes bloody), depression, anorexia, and hypersalivation. Cats may have dilated pupils
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
- Toxic compounds: Saponins
- Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, and tremors
Corn plant (Dracaena species) contains saponins that can cause a wide range of poisoning symptoms.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are also in the Dracaena genus and have the same toxic reactions as corn plants.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Dumb cane plant (Dieffenbachia seguine)
- Toxic compounds: Sap contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which will embed in the lips and mouth
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat and lips, excessive drooling, and can cause difficulty swallowing and vomiting.
Over a dozen cultivars exist. The calcium oxalate crystals cause the lips, mouth, and tongue to swell, making it difficult to talk, hence the name “dumb cane”.
Dumb cane plant (Dieffenbachia seguine) gets its common name from the calcium oxalate crystals that will cause the lips, mouth, and tongue to swell, making it difficult to talk.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Ficus or weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Toxic compounds: Ficin and ficusin
- Symptoms: Gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation, blistering
All parts are irritating or potentially toxic, especially the white, milky sap.
All parts of the ficus or weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) are toxic, especially the plant’s white, milky sap.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Flamingo flower (Anthurium species)
- Toxic compounds: Calcium oxalate crystals
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty in swallowing
There are over 1000 known species of Anthuriums. Like dracaenas, flamingo flower (Anthurium species) has the same toxic symptoms as corn and snake plants.
Similar to dracaenas, flamingo flower (Anthurium species) has the same toxic symptoms as corn and snake plants.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
- Toxic compounds: Unknown
- Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, and poor coordination if ingested
The toxic substance in jade plants (Crassula ovata) is unknown, but if ingested, it will cause vomiting, depression, and poor coordination.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species)
- Toxic compounds: Calcium oxalate crystals
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat and lips, excessive drooling, and can cause difficulty swallowing and vomiting
Approximately 50 different species and a wide range of hybrids are available on the market.
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species) have the same poisoning symptoms as dumbcane, dracaenas, and flamingo flower.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Philodendron (Philodendron species)
- Toxic compounds: Calcium oxalate crystals
- Symptoms: Oral irritation with pain and swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue that causes problems with swallowing, along with excessive drooling and vomiting
Philodendrons have over 621 species.
Philodendrons (Philodendron species) are popular houseplants but contain calcium oxalate crystals that will cause oral irritation.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pothos (Epipremnum species)
- Toxic compounds: Calcium oxalate crystals
- Symptoms: Oral irritation with pain and swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue that causes problems with swallowing, along with excessive drooling and vomiting
Pothos has around 15 species.
Pothos (Epipremnum species) has around 15 species, all containing calcium oxalate crystals.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
What to Do if Your Pet Eats a Toxic Plant
If poisoning is suspected:
- Identify the plant by both the common and botanical name.
- Contact your local veterinarian immediately.
OR
- Call the ASPCA Poison Control 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
For a list of non-toxic indoor plants, see Pet-Safe Indoor Houseplants: What’s Safe for Cats and Dogs.
