Houseplants and pets: what to check before bringing a plant home

Start with the botanical name

Common names are unreliable. “Peace lily” is not a true lily, several unrelated plants are sold as “rubber plant”, and the same shop label can mean different species in different countries. Look for the botanical name on the label, ask the seller, or use the name on a reliable plant profile. Our profiles give the accepted name in italics, for example Dracaena trifasciata for the snake plant. Kew, Plants of the World Online

What “toxic”, “non-toxic” and “not listed” mean

The ASPCA list says, separately for cats, dogs and horses, whether a plant is known to be toxic. For toxic plants it usually names the toxic principle and typical signs. Here is how we read it in our profiles:

• Listed as toxic: the plant can cause effects ranging from mouth irritation and vomiting to more serious problems. Keep it out of reach, or choose another plant for a home with a pet that chews.
• Listed as non-toxic: the ASPCA does not expect serious poisoning. Eating plant material can still upset a stomach, and pesticide, fertilizer or potting-mix residues are separate risks.
• Not listed: no entry under that name. That is not the same as safe. Check other institutional sources, and treat the plant with caution until you know more.

Some plants are far more dangerous than typical houseplants. The ASPCA warns that true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) can cause kidney failure in cats, so keep them out of homes with cats entirely, including cut flowers.

The plants in our library

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA:

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
• Calathea (Goeppertia, listed by the ASPCA as Calathea)

Listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA:

• Pothos, monstera, peace lily and heartleaf philodendron, which contain insoluble calcium oxalates
• Snake plant and aloe vera
• Rubber plant: the ASPCA entry is called “Indian rubber plant” but gives the name Ficus benjamina, so we explain the mismatch on the profile

Not listed by name, or sources disagree:

• ZZ plant is not on the ASPCA list; NC State Extension lists it as toxic. NC State Extension
• Fiddle-leaf fig is not in the ASPCA database by name; an ASPCA article mentions mild stomach upset and NC State lists it as toxic. NC State Extension

The plant library has a filter for plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic.

A short checklist before you buy

1. Find the botanical name and check it on the ASPCA list.
2. Decide on a spot your pet cannot reach: a high shelf, a closed room or a hanging planter well away from furniture cats can jump from.
3. Ask whether the plant was recently treated with pesticides, and rinse the leaves if you are unsure.
4. Remove slow-release fertilizer granules from the surface, and keep fertilizer and plant sprays shut away.
5. Pick up fallen leaves and flowers, especially from plants listed as toxic.
6. Watch your pet for the first days. Cats that chew grass or dangling leaves will usually show it quickly.

If your pet chews a plant

Move the plant away and keep the label or take a photo. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Contact a veterinarian or an animal poison control service straight away, even if your pet seems fine; some effects appear later. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.

People in the home

Small children can also chew leaves. For people in Türkiye, the National Poison Information Center (UZEM) answers on 114; it is a service for people, not for animals. Elsewhere, use your local poison information centre. This guide is general information, not veterinary or medical advice.

Common questions

Is there such a thing as a completely pet-safe plant?

No list can promise that. “Listed non-toxic” is the most a reliable source can say, and any plant can upset a stomach if eaten in quantity.

Can I keep a toxic plant if I have a cat?

Many households do, by keeping it truly out of reach. If your cat climbs everywhere or chews constantly, choose from the non-toxic list instead.

Can I rely on a plant identification app for pet safety?

An identification, from Lilora or any other app, is a suggestion you confirm. Use the confirmed botanical name to check the ASPCA list, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.