Lily (true lilies and daylilies: Easter, Tiger, Asiatic, Day)
Toxic Toxic severe
Deadly to cats - even pollen or vase water can cause fatal kidney failure. A cat near any true lily or daylily is an emergency. Milder stomach upset in dogs.
Is that plant safe for my pet?
Search a houseplant to see whether it's toxic or safe for cats and dogs, based on the ASPCA poison-control list, with the signs to watch for. Cats and dogs nibble greenery out of curiosity or boredom, so it pays to know what's on your windowsill - and to keep the risky ones well out of reach.
If your pet has eaten a plant
Don't wait for symptoms. Call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away, and tell them the plant's name (a photo helps). True lilies are an emergency for cats even in tiny amounts. Watch for drooling, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, weakness or breathing trouble - and bring a piece of the plant with you if you go in.
Sago Palm
Toxic Toxic severe
All parts, especially seeds, are highly toxic - vomiting, then liver failure. A true emergency for both cats and dogs.
Oleander
Toxic Toxic severe
Affects the heart - drooling, vomiting, abnormal heart rate. Emergency.
Azalea / Rhododendron
Toxic Toxic severe
Vomiting, drooling, weakness and heart problems even in small amounts. Emergency.
Daffodil (bulbs)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Bulbs are the worst part - vomiting, drooling, and at higher doses heart and breathing trouble.
Tulip (bulbs)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Concentrated in the bulb - mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting.
Hyacinth (bulbs)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Bulbs cause intense drooling, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea.
Amaryllis
Toxic Toxic moderate
Vomiting, drooling, lethargy and tremors; bulb is most toxic.
Cyclamen
Toxic Toxic moderate
Roots/tubers most toxic - drooling, vomiting; large amounts affect the heart.
Kalanchoe
Toxic Toxic moderate
Common houseplant - vomiting and diarrhea, rarely heart rhythm changes.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Intense mouth burning and irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing.
Philodendron
Toxic Toxic moderate
Calcium oxalates - mouth irritation, drooling, pawing at the face, vomiting.
Pothos (Devil's Ivy)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Very common - oral irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed.
Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Mouth and throat irritation, drooling, vomiting.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Not a true lily, but irritating - burning mouth, drooling, vomiting. (Far less dangerous than true lilies.)
Anthurium
Toxic Toxic moderate
Oral irritation, drooling and difficulty swallowing.
Caladium
Toxic Toxic moderate
Burning mouth, drooling, vomiting and swelling.
Schefflera (Umbrella Plant)
Toxic Toxic moderate
Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting.
English Ivy
Toxic Toxic moderate
Leaves more toxic than berries - vomiting, diarrhea, drooling.
Jade Plant
Toxic Toxic moderate
Vomiting, lethargy and incoordination; reason unknown.
Chrysanthemum
Toxic Toxic moderate
Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and skin irritation.
Lantana
Toxic Toxic moderate
Vomiting, diarrhea, and with large amounts, liver effects.
Croton
Toxic Toxic mild
Mouth and stomach irritation if chewed.
Dracaena
Toxic Toxic mild
Vomiting (sometimes with blood), drooling; cats may show dilated pupils.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Toxic Toxic mild
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.
ZZ Plant
Toxic Toxic moderate
Not on the ASPCA list; NC State Extension rates it medium toxicity to cats and dogs (calcium oxalate) - vomiting and diarrhea if leaves are eaten. Wash hands after handling.
Aloe Vera
Toxic Toxic mild
Vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea (the gel itself is less of an issue than the outer leaf).
Begonia
Toxic Toxic mild
Tubers most toxic - mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting.
Asparagus Fern
Toxic Toxic mild
Berries cause stomach upset; repeated skin contact can cause irritation.
Poinsettia
Toxic Toxic mild
Reputation is overblown - usually just mild drooling or stomach upset.
Catnip
Toxic Safe mild
Many cats love it, but the ASPCA lists catnip as toxic to cats: eating it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and it sedates some cats and stimulates others. The American Kennel Club counts it among non-toxic houseplants for dogs.
Spider Plant
Safe Safe
Non-toxic. Cats love to bat at it; overeating any plant can still cause mild tummy upset.
Boston Fern
Safe Safe
Non-toxic and a popular pet-friendly choice.
Areca Palm
Safe Safe
Non-toxic - a safe way to get the palm look. (Not to be confused with toxic Sago Palm.)
Parlor Palm
Safe Safe
Non-toxic and easy-going.
Ponytail Palm
Safe Safe
Non-toxic.
Calathea / Prayer Plant
Safe Safe
Non-toxic, pet-friendly foliage.
Peperomia
Safe Safe
Non-toxic, compact and easy.
Money Tree (Pachira)
Safe Safe
Non-toxic.
African Violet
Safe Safe
Non-toxic flowering houseplant.
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Safe Safe
Non-toxic - moth orchids are pet-safe.
Bromeliad
Safe Safe
Non-toxic and colourful.
Hoya (Wax Plant)
Safe Safe
Non-toxic trailing plant.
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant)
Safe Safe
Not on the ASPCA list itself, where other Pilea species are non-toxic; NC State Extension describes it as safe for pets. Easy to propagate.
Echeveria & Haworthia (succulents)
Safe Safe
These common succulents are non-toxic (unlike Jade and Aloe).
Christmas Cactus
Safe Safe
Non-toxic, though the fibrous parts can cause mild upset if gorged on.
Bird's Nest Fern
Safe Safe
Not on the ASPCA list itself; NC State Extension's plant database gives it no poison characteristics, and its relative mother fern is on the ASPCA non-toxic list.
Polka Dot Plant
Safe Safe
Non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Basil, Rosemary & Thyme
Safe Safe
These kitchen herbs are non-toxic to pets.
Cat Grass
Safe Safe
Oat, wheat, barley or rye shoots grown for cats to nibble - a good redirect for plant-chewers. Overeating grass can still make a cat vomit.
No plants match that search. Clear
This list covers common houseplants and follows the ASPCA poison-control classifications, but it isn't exhaustive and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual pets and doses vary, "non-toxic" doesn't mean a big helping won't cause an upset, and identification matters - many plants share common names. If you're unsure or your pet has eaten something, call your vet or a pet poison helpline.