Plant Toxicity List

Houseplants are an easy way to add warmth and happiness to our lives. However, some houseplants require extra precautions when placed around children or pets. This handy list is a great reference when choosing a houseplant for your home. This particular list focuses on toxicity towards cats and dogs.

Some common house plants for our area, in alphabetical order:

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Toxicity Symptoms – If ingested, can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.
Toxicity Level – Mild
Type of Plant – House Plant


Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper-salivation, anorexia, tremors.
Toxicity Level – Mild
Type of Plant – Blooming House Plant


Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Toxicity Symptoms – Nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration, coma.
Toxicity Level – Mild
Poisonous Part – All parts of the azalea are toxic.
Type of Plant – Blooming House Plant


Corn Plant (Dracaena spp.)

Toxicity Symptoms – Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hyper-salivation, dilated pupils in cats.
Toxicity Level – Moderate
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Toxicity Level – Mild
Type of Plant – House Plant


Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestrum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
Toxicity Level – Moderate
Type of Plant – House Plant


Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)

Toxicity Symptoms – Skin and eye irritation, dermatitis.
Toxicity Level – Mild
Type of Plant – Blooming Plant


Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Toxicity Symptoms – Irritation of the mouth, tongue, and any parts in contact with calcium oxalate crystals.
Toxicity Level – High
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Toxicity Symptoms – Stomach irritation, diarrhea, troubled breathing, coma. Potentially fatal.
Toxicity Level – Moderate
Poisonous Part – Leaves & Berries
Type of Plant – House Plant


Nephthytis/Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podopyllum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
Toxicity Level – Moderate
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
Toxicity Level – High
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – Flowering House Plant


Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
Toxicity Level – High
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Poinsettia (Euphobia pulcherrima)

Toxicity Symptoms – Skin, mouth, eye, stomach irritation. The toxicity of this plant is often over-exaggerated. 
Toxicity Level – Mild
Poisonous Part – Leaves and flowers
Type of Plant – Flowering House Plant


Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
Toxicity Level – Moderate
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)

Toxicity Level – Moderate
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla, Brassia actinophylla)

Toxicity Symptoms – Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing. 
Toxicity Level – High
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant


Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Toxicity Level – High
Poisonous Part – All Parts
Type of Plant – House Plant