Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · 46 plants · Checked Oct 2026

Houseplants toxic to cats and dogs

Foliage plants and succulents kept indoors, where a bored cat or a puppy can reach them. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists all 46 as toxic to cats and dogs; each one below has the signs to watch for and a severity rating from Plant Smart.

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§ 010 · The list

Every plant on this list

PlantCatsDogsSeverity
Aloe vera Aloe veraToxicToxicMild
Australian umbrella tree Schefflera actinophyllaToxicToxicMild
Balsam Clusia majorToxicToxicModerate
Begonias Begonia spp.ToxicToxicSevere
Bush lilies Clivia spp.ToxicToxicSevere
Caladium Caladium spp.ToxicToxicMild
Cardboard cycad Zamia furfuraceaToxicToxicCritical
Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpaToxicToxicCritical
Chinese evergreen Aglaonema modestumToxicToxicMild
Common bird-of-paradise flower Strelitzia reginaeToxicToxicMild
Cornstalk dracaena Dracaena deremensisToxicToxicSevere
Desert rose Adenium obesumToxicToxicSevere
Dracaena godseffiana Dracaena godseffianaToxicToxicModerate
Dragon trees Dracaena spp.ToxicToxicSevere
Dragon-tree Dracaena dracoToxicToxicModerate
Dumb canes Dieffenbachia amoenaToxicToxicMild
Elephant ears Colocasia spp.ToxicToxicMild
Elephant's-ears Alocasia spp.ToxicToxicMild
Fiddle-leaf fig Ficus lyrataToxicToxicCritical
Fire stick Euphorbia tirucalliToxicToxicModerate
Flamingo flower Anthurium scherzerianumToxicToxicMild
Golden pothos Epipremnum aureumToxicToxicMild
Goosefoot-plant Syngonium podophyllumToxicToxicMild
Heart-leaf philodendron Philodendron cordatumToxicToxicMild
Jade plant Crassula argenteaToxicToxicMild
Kalanchoes Kalanchoe spp.ToxicToxicModerate
Lace aralia Polyscias guilfoyleiToxicToxicModerate
Lucky bamboo Dracaena sanderianaToxicToxicModerate
Madagascar dragon-tree Dracaena marginataToxicToxicSevere
Monstera Monstera deliciosaToxicToxicMild
Namaqua fig Ficus cordataToxicToxicSevere
New Zealand cabbage tree Cordyline australisToxicToxicModerate
Peace lily Spathiphyllum spp.ToxicToxicMild
Philodendrons Philodendron spp.ToxicToxicMild
Rubber plant Ficus elasticaToxicToxicSevere
Sago cycad Cycas revolutaToxicToxicCritical
Satin pothos Scindapsus pictusToxicToxicMild
Silver dollar plant Crassula arborescensToxicToxicMild
Small-leaf spiderwort Tradescantia fluminensisToxicToxicMild
Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciataToxicToxicMild
Sprenger's asparagus Asparagus densiflorusToxicToxicModerate
Ti Cordyline terminalisToxicToxicModerate
Tree philodendron Philodendron bipinnatifidumToxicToxicMild
Tuftroot Dieffenbachia pictaToxicToxicMild
Umbrella trees Schefflera spp.ToxicToxicMild
Weeping fig Ficus benjaminaToxicToxicModerate

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate one

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 030 · Plant by plant

Plant by plant

Aloe vera (Aloe vera)
(c) Manuel, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Is aloe vera toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Aloe vera (Aloe vera) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. Also called Chinese aloe. Read the full page on aloe vera.

Australian umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
(c) Kevin Faccenda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kevin Faccenda, via iNaturalist

Is Australian umbrella tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Australian umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Balsam (Clusia major)
Wmpearl, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), via iNaturalist

Is balsam toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Balsam (Clusia major) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting and belly pain. Also called wild balsam.

Begonias (Begonia spp.)
Robert John Thornton (1768-1837), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Are begonias toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Begonias (Begonia spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include kidney failure, vomiting and drooling.

Bush lilies (Clivia spp.)
(c) Nguyễn Văn Hùng, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nguyễn Văn Hùng, via iNaturalist

Are bush lilies toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Bush lilies (Clivia spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, seizures, low blood pressure, tremors and irregular heartbeat.

Caladium (Caladium spp.)
Yercaud-elango, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is caladium toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Caladium (Caladium spp.) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Cardboard cycad (Zamia furfuracea)
(c) tanetahi, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Is cardboard cycad toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Cardboard cycad (Zamia furfuracea) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Critical, level 4 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dark stools, jaundice (yellow gums or eyes), drinking more than usual, bloody diarrhea, bruising and liver failure. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal.

Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa)
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子, via iNaturalist

Is Chinese banyan toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Critical, level 4 of 4. Signs include weak pulse, fast heartbeat, mouth irritation, drooling, trouble swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure and seizures. Also called malay banyan.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
JLHA3050, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Chinese evergreen toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Common bird-of-paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae)
(c) Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist

Is common bird-of-paradise flower toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Common bird-of-paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include nausea, vomiting, lethargy and drowsiness. Also called crane flower, african desert banana and mzimvubu craneflower.

Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena deremensis)
rojypala, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is cornstalk dracaena toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena deremensis) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include dilated pupils, belly pain, fast heartbeat, drooling, vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, wobbliness or poor coordination and weakness.

Desert rose (Adenium obesum)
This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email [email protected] or write on my talk page, for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved.Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is desert rose toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dullness or depression and irregular heartbeat. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Also called impala lily and socotran desert rose.

Dracaena godseffiana (Dracaena godseffiana)
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Dracaena godseffiana toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Dracaena godseffiana (Dracaena godseffiana) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling and dilated pupils.

Dragon trees (Dracaena spp.)
(c) Manuel Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Manuel Schwarz, via iNaturalist

Are dragon trees toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Dragon trees (Dracaena spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include loss of appetite, drooling, dilated pupils, belly pain, fast heartbeat, vomiting, dullness or depression, wobbliness or poor coordination and weakness.

Dragon-tree (Dracaena draco)
no rights reserved, uploaded by Ina, via iNaturalist

Is dragon-tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Dragon-tree (Dracaena draco) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling and dilated pupils.

Dumb canes (Dieffenbachia amoena)
Lessormore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are dumb canes toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Dumb canes (Dieffenbachia amoena) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Read the full page on dumb canes.

Elephant ears (Colocasia spp.)
(c) Sue Ann Kendall, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Ann Kendall, via iNaturalist

Are elephant ears toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Elephant ears (Colocasia spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Elephant's-ears (Alocasia spp.)
Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Are elephant's-ears toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Elephant's-ears (Alocasia spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
Djibo Zanzot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is fiddle-leaf fig toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Critical, level 4 of 4. Signs include weak pulse, fast heartbeat, mouth irritation, drooling, trouble swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure and seizures. Read the full page on fiddle-leaf fig.

Fire stick (Euphorbia tirucalli)
(c) Alan Manson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Manson, via iNaturalist

Is fire stick toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Fire stick (Euphorbia tirucalli) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, belly pain and vomiting. Also called pencil cactus, Christmas cholla and branched pencil cholla.

Flamingo flower (Anthurium scherzerianum)
JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is flamingo flower toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Flamingo flower (Anthurium scherzerianum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Joydeep, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are golden pothos toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Also called marble queen. Read the full page on golden pothos.

Goosefoot-plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
(c) chiuluan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by chiuluan, via iNaturalist

Is goosefoot-plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Goosefoot-plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Also called fivefingers.

Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
Nicolás Lavandero, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is heart-leaf philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron cordatum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Jade plant (Crassula argentea)
author is sannse., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is jade plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Jade plant (Crassula argentea) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression and wobbliness or poor coordination. Read the full page on jade plant.

Kalanchoes (Kalanchoe spp.)
Cdpanic at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are kalanchoes toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Kalanchoes (Kalanchoe spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea and irregular heartbeat. Read the full page on kalanchoes.

Lace aralia (Polyscias guilfoylei)
Fuzzform (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is lace aralia toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Lace aralia (Polyscias guilfoylei) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include skin irritation, vomiting, loss of appetite and dullness or depression.

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is lucky bamboo toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling and dilated pupils. Read the full page on lucky bamboo.

Madagascar dragon-tree (Dracaena marginata)
No machine-readable author provided. B.navez assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Madagascar dragon-tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Madagascar dragon-tree (Dracaena marginata) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling, dilated pupils, belly pain, fast heartbeat, wobbliness or poor coordination and weakness.

Is monstera toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Also called Swiss cheese plant, ceriman, Mexican breadfruit and fruit salad plant. Read the full page on monstera.

Namaqua fig (Ficus cordata)
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo, via iNaturalist

Is namaqua fig toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Namaqua fig (Ficus cordata) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include belly pain, drooling, skin irritation, trouble breathing and heart failure. Also called wonderboom fig.

New Zealand cabbage tree (Cordyline australis)
(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz, via iNaturalist

Is New Zealand cabbage tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. New Zealand cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling and dilated pupils.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
(c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Is peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Read the full page on peace lily.

Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.)
Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are philodendrons toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Read the full page on philodendrons.

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Alvesgaspar (talk), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is rubber plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4. Signs include belly pain, drooling, skin irritation, trouble breathing and heart failure. Read the full page on rubber plant.

Sago cycad (Cycas revoluta)
(c) Tzu-Neng Yuan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tzu-Neng Yuan, via iNaturalist

Is sago cycad toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Sago cycad (Cycas revoluta) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Critical, level 4 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dark stools, jaundice (yellow gums or eyes), drinking more than usual, belly pain, bruising and liver failure. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Read the full page on sago cycad.

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
Kor!An (Корзун Андрей), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are satin pothos toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Silver dollar plant (Crassula arborescens)
(c) Ian Webb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ian Webb, via iNaturalist

Is silver dollar plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Silver dollar plant (Crassula arborescens) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include nausea, dry heaving, vomiting and tremors. Also called bokkeveld tree crassula and bull tacky.

Small-leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis)
(c) Ettore Balocchi, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Is small-leaf spiderwort toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Small-leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include skin irritation.

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is snake plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Read the full page on snake plant.

Sprenger's asparagus (Asparagus densiflorus)
Traumrune, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Sprenger's asparagus toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Sprenger's asparagus (Asparagus densiflorus) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include skin irritation, vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea. Also called emerald feather.

Ti (Cordyline terminalis)
Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is ti toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Ti (Cordyline terminalis) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include vomiting, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, drooling and dilated pupils.

Tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
VSA.bing, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Is tree philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Tuftroot (Dieffenbachia picta)
(c) Forest & Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Is tuftroot toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Tuftroot (Dieffenbachia picta) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Umbrella trees (Schefflera spp.)
(c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist

Are umbrella trees toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Umbrella trees (Schefflera spp.) are toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates their effects Mild, level 1 of 4. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, mouth irritation, drooling and trouble swallowing.

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
no rights reserved, uploaded by Richard Fuller, via iNaturalist

Is weeping fig toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Moderate, level 2 of 4. Signs include skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and belly pain.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about houseplants toxic to cats and dogs

Which of these are the most dangerous?

Plant Smart rates Cardboard cycad, Chinese banyan, Fiddle-leaf fig and Sago cycad Critical, the highest of its four levels.

What should I do if my pet ate one?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

Where does this list come from?

From the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's plant list, by way of Plant Smart, which adds a four-level severity rating.

Is a plant missing from this list safe?

Not necessarily. A plant can be missing because nobody has reported a case. Call your vet if your pet eats any plant and seems unwell.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: list published, replacing one page per plant.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photos: Aloe vera: (c) Manuel, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Australian umbrella tree: (c) Kevin Faccenda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kevin Faccenda, via iNaturalist; Balsam: Wmpearl, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), via iNaturalist; Begonias: Robert John Thornton (1768-1837), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Bush lilies: (c) Nguyễn Văn Hùng, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nguyễn Văn Hùng, via iNaturalist; Caladium: Yercaud-elango, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Cardboard cycad: (c) tanetahi, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Chinese banyan: no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子, via iNaturalist; Chinese evergreen: JLHA3050, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Common bird-of-paradise flower: (c) Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist; Cornstalk dracaena: rojypala, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Desert rose: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email [email protected] or write on my talk page, for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved.Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dracaena godseffiana: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dragon trees: (c) Manuel Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Manuel Schwarz, via iNaturalist; Dragon-tree: no rights reserved, uploaded by Ina, via iNaturalist; Dumb canes: Lessormore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Elephant ears: (c) Sue Ann Kendall, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Ann Kendall, via iNaturalist; Elephant's-ears: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Fiddle-leaf fig: Djibo Zanzot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Fire stick: (c) Alan Manson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Manson, via iNaturalist; Flamingo flower: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Golden pothos: Joydeep, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Goosefoot-plant: (c) chiuluan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by chiuluan, via iNaturalist; Heart-leaf philodendron: Nicolás Lavandero, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Jade plant: author is sannse., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kalanchoes: Cdpanic at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lace aralia: Fuzzform (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lucky bamboo: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Madagascar dragon-tree: No machine-readable author provided. B.navez assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Namaqua fig: (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo, via iNaturalist; New Zealand cabbage tree: (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz, via iNaturalist; Peace lily: (c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Philodendrons: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Rubber plant: Alvesgaspar (talk), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Sago cycad: (c) Tzu-Neng Yuan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tzu-Neng Yuan, via iNaturalist; Satin pothos: Kor!An (Корзун Андрей), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Silver dollar plant: (c) Ian Webb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ian Webb, via iNaturalist; Small-leaf spiderwort: (c) Ettore Balocchi, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Snake plant: Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Sprenger's asparagus: Traumrune, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ti: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Tree philodendron: VSA.bing, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Tuftroot: (c) Forest & Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Umbrella trees: (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY), via iNaturalist; Weeping fig: no rights reserved, uploaded by Richard Fuller, via iNaturalist.

Checked Oct 2026.