Pothos vs Philodendron: Why Pet Owners Should Avoid Both

Pothos vs philodendron: the quick verdict

Both are toxic to cats and dogs. Skip both if you have pets.

I know that is not the fun answer. These are two of the most loved plants on earth. They are cheap. They are hard to kill. And they trail nicely off a shelf.

But here is the catch. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic. It lists philodendron as toxic too. Same reason for both. We will get to it.

Why they get mixed up

Real talk: even plant shops mix these two up. They look so much alike.

Both have heart-shaped leaves. Both vine and trail. Both come in green and gold types. People buy one thinking it is the other all the time.

Here is a simple way to tell them apart:

• Pothos leaves feel thick and waxy. They often have gold flecks. New leaves grow right from the vine.
• Philodendron leaves feel thin and soft. New leaves push out of a small sheath first. The stems can have a red or pink tint.

But for a pet owner, it does not matter which is which. They are both off the list.

Why pothos and philodendron are toxic to pets

Both plants carry the same weapon. It is called calcium oxalate.

Picture tiny glass needles packed inside the leaf. When your pet bites down, the needles fire out. They stab the mouth, tongue, and throat. It hurts right away.

This is not a slow poison. The pain starts the second your cat or dog chews. That sharp sting is what stops most pets from eating much.

Symptoms to watch for

If your pet chews either plant, you may see:

• Drooling, a lot, all at once
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Head shaking
• A red or swollen mouth and tongue
• Vomiting
• Trouble swallowing

Most cases are painful but mild. In rare cases the throat swells. That can make breathing hard. That is an emergency. Go to a vet right away.

Not sure what to do in the moment? Read the full signs your pet ate a toxic plant for the exact steps.

Safe plants to grow instead

You do not have to give up trailing plants. You just swap them out.

Here are safe plants that give you the same look:

• Spider plant — trails, makes baby plants, and is super easy to grow
• Boston fern — lush and full in a hanging basket. See my Boston fern care guide.
• Moth orchid — for color and blooms. Yes, orchids are safe for cats.
• Calathea — bold, striped leaves and safe for pets

All four are on the ASPCA safe list. You get the jungle vibe without the risk.

The bottom line

Pothos vs philodendron is the wrong question for pet owners. The answer is the same for both. Keep them out of a home with cats or dogs.

They look great. But they sting and they poison. With so many safe plants out there, it is just not worth it.

Sources

• ASPCA — Golden Pothos (toxic)
• ASPCA — Tree Philodendron (toxic)
• Pet Poison Helpline — Insoluble Calcium Oxalates

Written by Mo Ruman, a self-taught plant parent who cross-checks every plant against the ASPCA database. Not a vet — when in doubt, call your vet. More about Kijani Paws · Ask me about a plant.