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Glossary · Pet safety

Plants toxic to cats and dogs.

The most common toxic houseplants for pets are: lilies (severely toxic to cats — kidney failure from any part), pothos (mouth and throat irritation), philodendron (oral pain, drooling), monstera (oxalate crystals — drooling, swelling), peace lily (oral irritation), sago palm (severely toxic to dogs — liver failure), aloe vera (vomiting, diarrhea), snake plant (drooling, nausea), ZZ plant (mouth irritation), and dieffenbachia (severe oral pain). Pet-safe alternatives include spider plant, Boston fern, prayer plant (Maranta), bird's nest fern, calathea, parlor palm, Christmas cactus, African violet, and most herbs. Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control toxic plant database.

Emergency: if your pet has ingested a toxic plant, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately. A consultation fee may apply.

Common toxic houseplants.

Lilies (Lilium spp., Hemerocallis spp.)

Severe (cats)

Kidney failure within 24–72 hours from any part of the plant — leaves, petals, pollen, water from the vase. Cats only.

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)

Severe (dogs)

All parts toxic, seeds especially. Liver failure, vomiting, seizures.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Moderate

Mouth and throat irritation, drooling, vomiting from chewing.

Philodendron

Moderate

Oral pain, drooling, swelling of lips and tongue from oxalate crystals.

Monstera deliciosa

Moderate

Same oxalate crystals — drooling, oral swelling, vomiting.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Mild–Moderate

Oral irritation, drooling. Not actually a true lily — much less dangerous than Lilium.

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Mild

Drooling, nausea, vomiting from saponins.

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Mild

Oral irritation, vomiting.

Dieffenbachia

Severe

Intense oral burning — "dumb cane" — temporary paralysis of vocal cords possible.

Aloe vera

Mild

Vomiting, diarrhea from saponins. Gel is fine; the latex under the skin is the problem.

Pet-safe alternatives.

  • Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
  • Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
  • Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
  • Calathea (Calathea spp.)
  • Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
  • Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
  • Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)
  • African violet (Saintpaulia)
  • Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
  • Hoya carnosa
  • Peperomia (most species)
  • Most culinary herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary, sage)

Tazart shows a clear toxicity flag for cats, dogs, and humans the moment you identify a plant — before you save it to your collection. Sourced from ASPCA Animal Poison Control + academic toxicity databases.