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