Which Houseplants Are Safe for Cats and Dogs?
A species-by-species breakdown of common houseplants, sourced directly from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — not guesswork, not a random blog list.
Toxic vs. Non-Toxic, Species by Species
"Toxic" on the ASPCA's list almost always means irritating, not life-threatening — most of the common houseplants below cause drooling, mouth irritation, or vomiting rather than a medical emergency. The exception is true lilies (genus Lilium), which are dangerous to cats specifically and aren't covered on this page since none of the plants below are true lilies, peace lily included. Tap through to any plant's ASPCA source page for the full clinical detail.
Non-toxic
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum — Non-toxic. A common pick for households with cats that like to chew leaves.
Care guide →Orchid
Phalaenopsis — Non-toxic. Safe even though the flowers are within easy reach on a low table.
Care guide →Money Tree
Pachira aquatica — Non-toxic. Large amounts can still cause mild stomach upset, per the ASPCA.
Care guide →Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera — Non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses — one of the safest flowering houseplants.
Care guide →Toxic (mild to moderate)
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum — Insoluble calcium oxalates. Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting if chewed.
Care guide →Monstera
Monstera deliciosa — Insoluble calcium oxalates. Oral burning, drooling, difficulty swallowing.
Care guide →Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata — Saponins. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea if ingested.
Care guide →Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum — Insoluble calcium oxalates. Not a true lily — far milder than true-lily toxicity.
Care guide →ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia — Calcium oxalate raphides. Mild irritation, not a medical emergency.
Care guide →Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica — Ficin and psoralen in the sap. Mouth and skin irritation on contact.
Care guide →Track every plant's care in Olmi.
Whether it made this list as safe or toxic, Olmi helps you keep every plant on a watering schedule you'll actually stick to.
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Pet & Plant Safety FAQ
Is pothos toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists pothos (Epipremnum aureum, also sold as Golden Pothos or Devil's Ivy) as toxic to both cats and dogs. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalates, which cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if a pet bites into a leaf. It's rarely life-threatening, but keep hanging pothos vines out of reach of cats that like to chew trailing leaves.
Is monstera toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Monstera deliciosa as toxic to cats and dogs, with insoluble calcium oxalates causing oral irritation, burning of the mouth and lips, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Monstera's large, easily-chewed leaves make it worth keeping well out of reach in households with curious pets.
Is snake plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists snake plants as toxic to cats and dogs, with saponins as the toxic principle and nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as the typical clinical signs. It's a mild toxicity rather than a medical emergency, but pet owners often choose a confirmed non-toxic plant like a spider plant instead if their cat is a persistent leaf-chewer.
Is peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Peace lilies are toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA, again due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Note that peace lily is not a true lily (Lilium species) — true lilies are dramatically more dangerous, causing acute kidney failure in cats even from pollen contact. Peace lily's calcium-oxalate reaction is uncomfortable but far less severe.
Which common houseplants are actually safe for cats and dogs?
Among the species covered on this page, spider plant, orchid (Phalaenopsis), money tree, Christmas cactus, and African violet are all listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. "Non-toxic" means the plant lacks the toxic principle that causes poisoning — it doesn't mean a pet should eat it freely, since any plant material can cause mild stomach upset in enough quantity.
My cat ate a toxic houseplant — what should I do?
For the calcium-oxalate plants on this list (pothos, monstera, peace lily, ZZ plant), mild drooling and mouth irritation usually resolve on their own, but you should still call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 to confirm, especially if symptoms are more than mild or your pet ate a large amount. Keep the plant's name handy — knowing the exact species speeds up the call considerably.
Is a ZZ plant toxic to cats?
Yes, but mildly. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) contains calcium oxalate raphides — needle-shaped crystals in the leaves and stems that release into the mouth on contact, causing irritation, drooling, and occasionally vomiting. It's considered a mild toxicity, not a life-threatening one, but it's still worth keeping out of reach of chewing pets.
Is a rubber plant toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) as toxic to cats and dogs, with the milky sap containing a proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and psoralen (ficusin) that irritate the mouth and skin on contact. It's a lower-severity toxicity, similar to pothos and peace lily, rather than an emergency-level one.
Sources
Every toxicity classification on this page links directly to its ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center source page:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants (full searchable database)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Spider Plant
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Phalaenopsis Orchid
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Money Tree
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Christmas Cactus
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — African Violet
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Golden Pothos
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Snake Plant
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Peace Lily
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — ZZ Plant
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Indian Rubber Plant