Which plants are poisonous to cats and dogs? Many popular houseplants are, to a greater or lesser extent, including monstera, philodendron, alocasia, dracaena, ficus, ZZ plant (zamioculcas), snake plant (sansevieria), aloe and the peace lily (spathiphyllum). Usually, chewing on a plant like this leads to irritation of the mouth, drooling or vomiting. Lilies are the big exception: for cats they are very dangerous, even in small amounts.
If you want to combine plants and pets, the easiest option is to choose species known to be non-toxic, such as the kentia palm, areca palm, calathea, pachira and ponytail palm. Below you can read why some plants are poisonous, which houseplants are best kept out of reach, which large plants are safe for cats and dogs and what to do if your pet has chewed on a plant anyway. You will find an overview of suitable plants in our collection pet-friendly houseplants.
Why are some plants poisonous to cats and dogs?
Plants cannot run away. To avoid being eaten, many species produce substances that deter animals. It works exactly the same way for your cat or dog: a bite of the leaf tastes bad, stings or makes them feel sick. There are three groups of substances you come across most often in houseplants.
Calcium oxalate crystals
Plants from the arum family, such as monstera, philodendron, alocasia, epipremnum (pothos), zamioculcas and spathiphyllum, contain tiny, needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate. When an animal chews the leaf or stem, these crystals are released and prick the mouth, tongue and throat. That causes a burning feeling. You will often see drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing or vomiting. Because it hurts straight away, most animals soon stop eating.
Saponins
Saponins are soap-like substances found in plants including dracaena, sansevieria, yucca and aloe. They mainly irritate the digestive tract. After eating a piece of leaf, a cat or dog may vomit, drool, eat less or get diarrhoea.
Milky sap
Ficus species, such as the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and the rubber plant (Ficus elastica), contain a white milky sap that is released when a leaf or branch is damaged. This sap can irritate the mouth, the stomach and sometimes the skin. Here too, it usually means drooling, vomiting or an irritated mouth.
Plants poisonous to cats: watch out for lilies
Among plants poisonous to cats, one group stands out: true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis). These plants are very dangerous for cats. All parts are poisonous, including the flowers, the pollen and the water in the vase. A cat that licks pollen off its coat can already become ill from it. Lilies can seriously damage a cat's kidneys. If you have a cat, it is wise not to have any lilies in the house at all, not even in a bouquet.
Cats are fussier than dogs, but they do like to nibble on long, grassy leaves and on plants that move. Palm-like leaves and grasses attract them even more. That is one reason to choose plants for cats that you know cannot do any harm, rather than hoping they will leave the plant alone.
Houseplants poisonous to dogs
Dogs eat plants on purpose less often, but young dogs chew everything they come across. They are also more likely to pull a whole plant out of its pot or dig in the potting compost. Most houseplants that are poisonous to cats are also poisonous to dogs. With dogs, take extra care with the sago palm (Cycas revoluta). It is not a true palm, and the seeds in particular are highly poisonous to dogs. Never put this plant where a dog can reach it. Also watch out for bulbs and tubers, such as tulips and daffodils, which dogs sometimes dig up from the ground or a pot.
Overview: common poisonous houseplants
The list below is not complete, but it covers the houseplants you see most often in homes. The symptoms listed are the most common ones. How serious it gets depends on the plant, the amount and the size of your animal.
- Lily (Lilium) and daylily: very dangerous for cats, including pollen and vase water. Always call the vet straight away.
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta): highly poisonous to dogs and cats, especially the seeds. Always call the vet straight away.
- Monstera: calcium oxalate. Irritation of the mouth and throat, drooling, sometimes vomiting. We have written a separate article about this plant: is monstera poisonous to cats.
- Philodendron and epipremnum (pothos): calcium oxalate. Painful mouth, drooling, vomiting.
- Alocasia: calcium oxalate. Burning mouth, drooling, swelling of the lips or tongue.
- Spathiphyllum (peace lily): calcium oxalate. Irritation of the mouth and drooling.
- Zamioculcas (ZZ plant): calcium oxalate. Irritation of the mouth, vomiting.
- Dracaena: saponins. Vomiting, drooling, reduced appetite.
- Sansevieria, yucca and aloe: saponins. Vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Ficus: milky sap. Irritation of the mouth, stomach and sometimes skin.
- Strelitzia (bird of paradise): stomach and gut problems such as vomiting.
- Schefflera (umbrella plant): calcium oxalate and saponins. Irritation of the mouth, vomiting.
If you already have one of these plants at home, you do not need to get rid of it straight away. Many cats and dogs simply leave plants alone. Do put the plant somewhere your pet cannot reach, and keep an eye out for chewed leaves.
Pet-friendly houseplants: safe large plants
Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that are not poisonous to cats and dogs, in large sizes too. That does not mean your pet can eat as much of them as it likes: a stomach full of leaves can always lead to vomiting now and then. But with these species you do not need to worry about toxic substances. You will find them together in our collection plants that are safe for cats and dogs.
Palms
The kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), the licuala and the lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) are not poisonous to cats and dogs. They fit well in a living room and tolerate a spot with indirect light. A large Kentia palm 220 cm tall in a ø38 cm pot is a good choice if you are looking for a tall plant for a spot without direct sun. The Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens, golden cane palm) 140 cm tall, pot ø24 cm has finer, lighter leaves and wants a bit more light. For a shadier corner, the Rhapis excelsa (lady palm) 190 cm tall, pot ø34 cm is suitable. Note: cats sometimes find the long, swaying leaves of palms interesting to nibble on. That is not poisonous, but the plant will look less attractive.
Calathea, ctenanthe and maranta
The well-known peacock plants (calathea), ctenanthe and the prayer plant (maranta) are not poisonous to pets. They have patterned leaves and like a bright spot without harsh sun and evenly moist potting compost. A larger specimen is the Ctenanthe oppenheimiana 130 cm tall, pot ø27 cm, which also does well in a somewhat darker room.
Pachira, ponytail palm and radermachera
The pachira (money tree) has a braided stem and hand-shaped leaves and is not poisonous to cats and dogs. The Pachira aquatica 170 cm tall in a ø27 cm pot is a sizeable tree for a bright room. The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), with its thick trunk and long, narrow leaves, is also known to be safe for pets and likes plenty of light, such as the Beaucarnea (ponytail palm) stem 120 cm tall, pot ø32 cm. The radermachera (china doll plant) is a third option with fine, glossy leaves.
Banana plant and olive tree
The banana plant (Musa) and the olive tree (Olea europaea) are also not poisonous to cats and dogs. The banana plant grows quickly and wants a warm, bright spot. The olive tree prefers to stand outside in the sun, on a patio or balcony, and can also stand indoors in a very bright room.
Smaller safe plants
If you are also looking for something for a windowsill or table, peperomia and pilea (Chinese money plant) are safe choices. They stay small and are easy to look after.
What to do if your cat or dog has chewed on a plant
If your pet has eaten part of a plant and you are not sure whether it is poisonous, contact your vet. Do this even if your pet has no symptoms yet. With lilies and the sago palm, always call straight away, because acting quickly can be important.
When you call, give this information:
- The name of the plant. If you do not know it, take a photo or bring a leaf or the plant label.
- Roughly how much your pet has eaten and which part: leaf, stem, flower, bulb or seed.
- When it happened and which symptoms you see, such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy or eating less.
- The weight and age of your cat or dog.
Do not try to make your pet vomit yourself and do not give milk, oil or other remedies from the internet. That can do more harm than good. Follow the vet's advice. Do remove any remains of the plant from your pet's mouth if it is safe to do so, and move the plant out of reach immediately.
Tips for keeping plants out of your pets' reach
Even with pet-friendly plants, it helps to place your plants so your cat or dog cannot get at them too much. That is good for your pet and for the plant.
- Put poisonous plants up high or in a closed room. Think of a room your pet does not go into. Remember that cats are good at jumping and climbing, so a cupboard or windowsill is often not out of reach for a cat.
- Use hanging pots for smaller plants, in a spot your cat cannot reach from a cupboard.
- Choose heavy, stable pots for large plants, so a playful dog or climbing cat cannot pull the plant over.
- Cover the potting compost with coarse gravel or a grid if your cat uses the pot as a litter tray or your dog digs.
- Give your cat cat grass. Many cats nibble plants because they like chewing something green. With their own tray of cat grass, they leave other plants alone more often.
- Clear up fallen leaves and flowers, especially from poisonous plants. Animals like to play with them.
- Watch out with bouquets. Cut flowers such as lilies often turn up as gifts. Do not keep them in the house if you have a cat.
Choosing houseplants that are safe for cats
When buying new houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs, look at the species first and only then at the shape. Some plants look alike but differ in how poisonous they are. The kentia palm, for example, is not poisonous, while the sago palm is. If you are unsure about a plant, check the botanical name on the label. If you are not sure which plant suits your room, the plant finder will help you on your way. If you have questions about a plant that is not doing well, you can turn to the Plant Doctor.
If you want plants in your home with a cat or dog without worrying, take a look at our collection of pet-friendly plants. There you will find palms, calatheas, pachiras and other large plants that you can safely place next to your pet.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most poisonous plants for cats?
Lilies (Lilium) and daylilies are the most dangerous for cats. The sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is also highly poisonous. With these plants, always call the vet straight away, even if your cat has no symptoms yet.
Which plants are poisonous to cats?
Many well-known houseplants are poisonous to cats, such as monstera, philodendron, alocasia, dracaena, ficus, ZZ plant (zamioculcas), snake plant (sansevieria), aloe and the peace lily. Usually this causes irritation of the mouth, drooling or vomiting. Lilies are very dangerous for cats, including the pollen and the water in the vase.
Which houseplants are safe for cats and dogs?
Palms such as the kentia, areca, licuala and lady palm are not poisonous to cats and dogs. Calathea, ctenanthe, maranta, pachira, ponytail palm, peperomia and pilea are also safe choices.
Is monstera poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes, monstera contains calcium oxalate crystals. If an animal chews the leaf, it causes a burning mouth, drooling and sometimes vomiting. So keep the plant out of your pet's reach.
What should I do if my cat has eaten part of a plant?
Call your vet and give them the name of the plant, the amount and the time. Do not make your cat vomit yourself and do not give home remedies. With lilies, always call straight away, even if your cat has no symptoms yet.
Are palms poisonous to pets?
Most indoor palms, such as the kentia, areca and lady palm, are not poisonous to cats and dogs. One exception is the sago palm (Cycas revoluta). It is not a true palm and it is highly poisonous to dogs and cats.
