10 Most Toxic Houseplants for Cats and Dogs (ASPCA Verified — Keep These Away)

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If your pet just ate a plant and you are not sure it is safe, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately: (888) 426-4435.

Here is the thing about toxic houseplants — they are everywhere, they are gorgeous, and nobody talks about them enough. I am not here to scare you. Most plant-related pet emergencies are mild and treatable. But knowing which plants to avoid (and what to do if your pet eats one) is just smart. Every toxicity claim in this article comes directly from the ASPCA. Always verify with the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database before bringing any new plant home.

Toxicity Levels: What They Mean

The ASPCA uses a range of severity when describing plant toxicity. For this article, I am using three simplified levels to help you prioritize:

• Severe: Can cause life-threatening organ damage. Call the vet immediately if ingested.
• Moderate: Causes significant discomfort — vomiting, diarrhea, oral pain. Vet visit recommended.
• Mild: Causes minor irritation or stomach upset. Monitor your pet and call the vet if symptoms worsen.

1. True Lilies (Lilium species) — SEVERE

This is the one that keeps veterinarians up at night. According to the ASPCA, true lilies — including Easter Lily, Tiger Lily, Stargazer Lily, and Daylily — can cause acute kidney failure in cats. Even a small amount: chewing on a leaf, drinking water from the vase, or eating pollen. Dogs are less severely affected but still at risk. If you have cats, do not have lilies in your home. Full stop.

Severity: Severe. This is a genuine emergency. Call your vet and ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

2. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) — SEVERE

The Sago Palm is one of the most toxic plants to both cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. Every part of the plant is poisonous, but the seeds (nuts) are the most dangerous — they contain cycasin, which causes severe liver failure. Signs of poisoning can appear within 15 minutes of ingestion. Sago palms are popular landscaping plants in warm climates and are sometimes sold as houseplants. Avoid entirely.

Severity: Severe. Immediate emergency veterinary care required.

3. Tulip Bulbs (Tulipa)

The ASPCA lists tulips as toxic to cats and dogs — the highest concentration of toxins is in the bulb, but the entire plant contains tulipalin A and B. If your pet digs up bulbs planted in the garden or gets into a bag of bulbs, that is the most dangerous scenario. Cut tulips in a vase are lower risk but still not worth leaving accessible.

Severity: Moderate to Severe (bulbs). Contact your vet.

4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Real talk: pothos is in almost every home because it is nearly impossible to kill and looks incredible trailing from a shelf. I understand. But the ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to cats and dogs — it contains insoluble calcium oxalates that cause intense oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. The good news: there are beautiful pet-safe trailing alternatives like Swedish Ivy, peperomia prostrata, and spider plant that fill the same visual role. pet-safe alternatives to pothos

Severity: Moderate. Call your vet if ingested.

5. Philodendron

Like pothos, philodendrons contain insoluble calcium oxalates and are listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. This includes all popular varieties: heartleaf philodendron, split-leaf philodendron, Brasil, and birkin. The symptoms are the same as pothos — oral pain, drooling, vomiting. These are extremely common houseplants, which makes them a frequent culprit in accidental pet poisonings.

Severity: Moderate.

6. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

This surprises a lot of people. Aloe vera is a wellness staple for humans — but the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs. The toxic components (aloin and saponins) are found primarily in the latex layer just under the skin of the leaves. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and changes in urine color. Keep aloe on a high shelf out of reach, or replace it with a pet-safe succulent like haworthia, which looks similar and is ASPCA-confirmed non-toxic. pet-safe succulents

Severity: Moderate.

7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The rubber plant is a stunning, easy-care houseplant — and unfortunately the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs. The sap contains ficin and ficusin, which can cause skin irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. Note: peperomia obtusifolia is sometimes called “baby rubber plant” and is actually ASPCA non-toxic — a common and confusing naming overlap.

Severity: Moderate.

8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily tops almost every “best low-light plant” list — and it is genuinely beautiful. It is also ASPCA toxic to cats and dogs. Like pothos and philodendron, it contains insoluble calcium oxalates causing oral irritation, excessive drooling, and vomiting. For low-light alternatives that are actually safe, try parlor palm, cast iron plant, or calathea. pet-safe low-light plants

Severity: Moderate.

9. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plants are beloved for their longevity and sculptural beauty — some live for decades. The ASPCA lists them as toxic to cats and dogs. The exact toxic mechanism is unknown, but ingestion causes vomiting, lethargy, and incoordination. Haworthia is a great pet-safe succulent alternative with a similar aesthetic.

Severity: Moderate.

10. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Dieffenbachia earns its common name “dumb cane” because ingestion causes intense oral pain and temporary inability to speak in humans — and similar distress in pets. The ASPCA confirms it is toxic to cats and dogs, causing oral irritation, intense burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It is a particularly painful toxicity — the calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate and intense discomfort on contact with mucous membranes.

Severity: Moderate to Severe. Seek veterinary care promptly.

What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Toxic Plant

1. Stay calm. Panicking does not help you or your pet.
2. Identify the plant. Take a photo or bring a clipping to the vet.
3. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Available 24/7. There is a consultation fee, but it is worth it.
4. Call your vet or nearest emergency animal hospital. Do not wait for symptoms to develop if you know ingestion occurred.
5. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically directed to by a vet or poison control — with some toxins it makes things worse.

For plants you want to keep but cannot remove entirely, try these Amazon products to deter access: pet-safe deterrent spray or high wall shelves to elevate plants well out of reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most toxic houseplant for cats?

According to the ASPCA, true lilies (Lilium species) are among the most dangerous plants for cats, capable of causing acute kidney failure even in small amounts. Sago palm is also severely toxic. If you have cats, both of these plants should be out of the home entirely.

Are snake plants (Sansevieria) toxic to pets?

Yes — the ASPCA lists snake plants as toxic to cats and dogs. They contain saponins which cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They appear on a lot of plant care lists without this warning, which is frustrating.

My cat ate a small piece of pothos. What do I do?

Monitor your pet for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. Call your vet and the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A small amount typically causes discomfort rather than serious harm, but always confirm with a professional.

Is there a comprehensive list of all toxic and non-toxic plants?

Yes — the ASPCA maintains a searchable database at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. Always check this database before bringing any new plant into a home with pets.

Found this helpful? Pin it for later — and if you are replacing a toxic plant, check our full guide to pet-safe alternatives. 15 pet-safe houseplants Your plants should be the prettiest thing in the room, not the most stressful.