Pet-safe houseplants (and common ones to keep away from pets)
Popular houseplants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs, plus common plants that are best kept out of reach.
If you share your home with cats or dogs, it pays to know which plants are safe. The lists below follow the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database.
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
- Calathea / prayer plants (Goeppertia, Maranta)
- Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Popular plants that are toxic to pets
- Monstera, pothos, ZZ plant and peace lily — calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth and throat.
- Snake plant and aloe vera — can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Fiddle-leaf fig and rubber plant — irritating sap.
- True lilies (Lilium, Hemerocallis) are extremely dangerous to cats: even pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure.
Check any plant in seconds
The Toxic to pets feature in Plant Identifier identifies a plant from a photo and shows whether it is known to be toxic to cats and dogs.
Emergency? If you think your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away. An app is not a substitute for professional help.
