🌿
Exotic Pet Expos
Safe and Unsafe Houseplants for Pets
🌿 Pet Safety Guide

Safe & Unsafe Houseplants
for Pets

A complete reference to common houseplants and their safety for birds, reptiles, dogs, cats, and small animals. Know what's growing in your home before it becomes a danger.

⚠️ When in doubt remove the plant from your pet's environment. Contact your vet immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Species key used throughout this page:   🦜 Birds  ·  🦎 Reptiles  ·  🐕 Dogs  ·  🐈 Cats  ·  🐹 Small Animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats)
Safe — generally non-toxic for the listed species
Caution — mildly irritating or conditionally safe
Toxic — dangerous or potentially fatal

🚨 Highly Toxic to Most or All Pets — Remove Immediately

✅ Safe Houseplants

These plants are generally considered non-toxic for the listed species. Always supervise pets around any plant and note that "safe" does not mean unlimited consumption is without risk.

🌿
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
One of the most pet-friendly houseplants. Safe for all common pets. Cats may be attracted to it due to a mild hallucinogenic effect similar to catnip — harmless but worth noting.
🌵
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Haworthia
Haworthia spp.
A small succulent that is non-toxic to all common pets. A great safe alternative to aloe vera which is toxic. Easy to care for and pet-friendly.
🌺
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Non-toxic to all common pets. A popular flowering houseplant that is safe to keep around birds, reptiles, and mammals alike.
🌿
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Non-toxic to all common pets. One of the safest ferns to keep in a pet household. Good air purifier and safe even if cats or birds chew on the fronds.
🌸
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Common orchids are non-toxic to all pets. Safe if chewed or ingested in small amounts. One of the most beautiful and pet-safe flowering plants available.
🌿
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
Non-toxic to all common pets. A popular indoor palm that is completely safe. A great alternative to the highly toxic Sago Palm which it can resemble.
🌱
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Bamboo Palm
Chamaedorea seifrizii
Non-toxic to all common pets. Safe and non-invasive indoors. Often confused with lucky bamboo which is a different and toxic plant — make sure you have the right one.
🌿
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Calathea / Prayer Plant
Calathea spp. / Maranta leuconeura
Non-toxic to all common pets. Beautiful patterned leaves and completely safe. A great decorative option for homes with curious birds or cats.
🌾
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Wheatgrass / Cat Grass
Triticum aestivum
Safe for all pets. Commonly grown as enrichment for cats but also safe for birds and small animals. A good digestive aid and completely non-toxic.
🌼
✓ Safe
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Non-toxic to all common pets. Seeds are a favorite treat for birds and small animals. The leaves and stems are also safe. A cheerful and universally pet-friendly plant.

⚠️ Use With Caution

These plants are mildly toxic, species-specific in their risk, or safe only under certain conditions. Keep out of reach when possible.

🌵
⚠ Caution
🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis
Toxic to dogs, cats, and small animals — causes vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Generally considered safe for birds and reptiles in small amounts but best kept out of reach of all pets.
🌿
⚠ Caution
🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓🐕 Dogs ✓
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Toxic to cats and small animals. Generally safe for dogs and birds in small amounts but can cause mild stomach upset. Keep away from cats which are most sensitive to it.
🌱
⚠ Caution
🐈 Cats🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓🐕 Dogs ✓
Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Toxic to cats — causes dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and weakness. Safe for dogs and birds. Not a true bamboo despite the name. Keep away from cats entirely.
🌿
⚠ Caution
🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum spp.
Toxic to dogs, cats, and small animals — contains calcium oxalates causing oral irritation and swelling. Despite the name it is not a true lily so less dangerous than true lilies, but still keep away from mammals.
🌸
⚠ Caution
🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum spp.
Toxic to dogs and cats — causes vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Generally safe for birds. Keep away from mammal pets but fine in bird rooms.
🌿
⚠ Caution
🐹 Small Animals🦜 Birds ✓🦎 Reptiles ✓🐕 Dogs ✓🐈 Cats ✓
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Mildly toxic to small animals and can cause skin irritation in all pets. The berries are more toxic than the leaves. Generally safe for birds in limited contact. Keep small mammals away entirely.

🚫 Toxic — Keep Away From All Pets

These plants are toxic to most or all common pets. Remove them from your home or ensure they are completely inaccessible to all animals.

🌿
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Pothos / Devil's Ivy
Epipremnum aureum
One of the most common houseplants and one of the most dangerous for pets. Contains calcium oxalates causing severe oral irritation, drooling, and swelling in all species including birds.
🌿
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Philodendron
Philodendron spp.
Toxic to all pets. Contains calcium oxalate crystals causing immediate mouth pain, excessive drooling, and throat swelling. Birds are particularly sensitive. Very common houseplant — check your home.
🌴
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
Extremely toxic — one of the most dangerous plants for pets. All parts including seeds are toxic. Causes severe liver failure and death. Even small amounts can be fatal to dogs and birds.
🌷
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals🐕 Dogs
Lily (all varieties)
Lilium / Hemerocallis spp.
Deadly to cats — causes acute kidney failure even in tiny amounts including pollen. Also toxic to birds and small animals. Easter lilies, tiger lilies, and day lilies are all dangerous. Never have these in a home with cats or birds.
🌿
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Dieffenbachia spp.
Toxic to all pets. Causes immediate and severe oral irritation, swelling of the mouth and throat. In birds even small contact can cause respiratory distress. Common in offices and homes — remove if you have pets.
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✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Toxic to all pets. Contains calcium oxalates. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. A very popular low-maintenance houseplant — widely owned but not safe in pet households.
🌺
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Oleander
Nerium oleander
Extremely toxic to all pets and humans. Even small amounts can cause cardiac arrhythmia and death. All parts of the plant are dangerous including dried leaves and the water in a vase. Never have this plant near any animal.
🌿
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🦎 Reptiles🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Caladium
Caladium bicolor
Toxic to all pets. Contains insoluble calcium oxalates causing oral irritation, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Particularly dangerous to birds and small animals.
🌸
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Azalea / Rhododendron
Rhododendron spp.
Toxic to most pets. Contains grayanotoxins affecting the heart and nervous system. Even a few leaves can cause severe illness. Commonly kept as indoor or porch plants — keep away from all pets.
🌿
✗ Toxic
🦜 Birds🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats🐹 Small Animals
Dracaena
Dracaena spp.
Toxic to dogs, cats, and birds. Causes vomiting, weakness, and dilated pupils in cats. A very common houseplant sold under many names including corn plant and dragon tree. Check labels carefully.
📋 Disclaimer: This guide is intended as a general reference. Toxicity can vary based on the amount ingested, the size of the animal, and individual sensitivities. Always consult your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant. In an emergency contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.