16 House Plants Toxic to Dogs and How Risky Each Is

Written by

Serena Faber-Nelson

Founder of Pretty Fluffy · Author of Dog Mama

Updated 18 October 20267 min read

As featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine & Cesar’s Way

About Serena

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over. Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

All articles by Serena

A chewed leaf on the rug and a dog with a suspiciously green tongue will send any dog mom straight to her phone. The reassuring part is that most house plants toxic to dogs cause a sore mouth or an upset stomach rather than lasting harm. The less reassuring part is that a few common favorites can do serious damage, and the tag in the pot rarely says which is which.

The 16 plants below are grouped by how worried to be, from the two that call for a vet straight away to the ones that mostly mean a messy afternoon.

Which Indoor Plants Are Poisonous to Dogs?

The indoor plants most often poisonous to dogs are sago palm, cyclamen, pothos, philodendron, peace lily, dieffenbachia, monstera, ZZ plant, elephant ear, jade, aloe vera, snake plant, kalanchoe, dracaena, ficus and asparagus fern. Sago palm is the most dangerous because it can cause liver failure. Most of the others cause drooling, mouth pain, vomiting or diarrhea that settles with veterinary care.

Puppies and bored chewers are the dogs most likely to sample a leaf, which is why plants sit high on any checklist for puppy proofing your home. Size matters too: a nibble that barely bothers a Labrador can hit a Maltese far harder.

Sago Palm and Cyclamen, the Emergency Houseplants

These two are the reason to know your plants by name. If your dog chews either one, call your vet before any symptoms appear.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Sold as a bonsai or small indoor palm, the sago palm is toxic in every part, with the seeds carrying the most cycasin. The ASPCA lists vomiting, black tarry stools, yellowing of the gums and eyes, bruising, liver damage and liver failure among its effects, and it can be fatal. Keep it out of a dog home entirely.

Cyclamen (Sowbread)

The leaves and petals cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, but the tubers under the soil are the real concern. A dog who digs up and eats a large amount of tuber can develop heart rhythm problems and seizures. Cyclamen often arrives as a winter gift, the same season as the hazards in this guide to Christmas foods for dogs, so check the pot before it lands on a low table.

Calcium Oxalate Plants That Burn a Dog's Mouth

Many fashionable indoor plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, tiny needles that pierce the mouth on the first bite, so most dogs stop after one chomp. Expect pawing at the face, heavy drooling, swollen lips and tongue, and sometimes vomiting. The outlook is good and most dogs recover fully, but swelling that affects breathing is an emergency.

A dog who treats trailing vines like a tug rope is usually better served by a proper chew toy for every bite style than a scolding.

Pothos (Devil's Ivy)

Trailing vines are irresistible to playful dogs. Keep pothos in a high hanging planter and trim any strands that dangle within reach.

Philodendron

Heartleaf and split-leaf philodendrons share the same crystals and the same burning reaction.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Despite the name, the peace lily is not a true lily, so it does not carry the kidney risk that lilies pose to cats. For dogs it is a classic mouth irritant.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

The common name comes from the way its sap swells the mouth and throat. It is one of the stronger oxalate plants, so a dog who has chewed a cane needs close watching for any change in breathing.

Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

A mouthful usually means drooling and discomfort rather than lasting harm. A dog who keeps shredding leaves out of restlessness will get more from a few boredom busters for dogs than from moving the plant around the room.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)

Nearly impossible to kill, the ZZ plant is a beginner favorite. All parts contain calcium oxalates, so keep it out of nibbling reach, and wash your hands after repotting, since the sap can irritate skin too.

Elephant Ear (Alocasia and Caladium)

Soft stems make elephant ear easy to bite through. The reaction mirrors dieffenbachia, so give it the same caution.

Succulents and Leafy Favorites That Upset a Dog's Stomach

This group mostly brings vomiting, diarrhea and a tired, flat dog. It still deserves a call to the vet, especially for a small dog or one who ate a lot.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade is toxic to dogs and cats. The toxin is not well understood, but the signs include vomiting and depression, and less often wobbliness and a slow heart rate.

Aloe Vera

The clear inner gel is considered low risk, but the leaf itself holds saponins and anthraquinones, concentrated in the bitter yellow latex just under the skin. A chewed leaf can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Skip home aloe remedies for your dog unless your vet suggests one, and keep the plant on a high shelf.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

The upright leaves contain saponins, which bring on nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Kalanchoe (Mother of Millions)

These cheerful flowering succulents contain bufadienolides, compounds that act on the heart. Vomiting and diarrhea are the usual signs, and an abnormal heart rhythm is rare but possible after a larger meal.

Corn Plant and Other Dracaena

Dracaena contains saponins that cause vomiting, sometimes with blood, along with drooling, loss of appetite and low mood.

Fiddle Leaf Fig and Other Ficus

Fiddle leaf figs, rubber trees and weeping figs all carry a milky sap that irritates the mouth, stomach and skin. Signs are usually mild.

Asparagus Fern

Not a true fern, this feathery plant produces small berries that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and belly pain.

Signs of Plant Poisoning in Dogs

Mouth and Stomach Signs

Drooling, pawing at the mouth, red or swollen lips, gagging, vomiting, diarrhea and refusing food are the most common signs.

Emergency Signs to Act On

Trouble breathing, a racing or very slow heartbeat, tremors, seizures, collapse, black stools, yellow gums or eyes, or unusual bruising all mean an emergency visit. After sago palm, liver damage can build over a day or two, so a dog who seems fine still needs to be seen.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Houseplant

First Steps at Home

Move your dog away from the plant and gently wipe any pieces from the mouth. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Take a photo of the plant, keep the pot tag, and note how much is missing and when.

Pet Poison Helplines in the US, Canada and Australia

Call your own vet or the nearest emergency clinic first. In the United States, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center answers on 888-426-4435, and the Pet Poison Helpline covers the US and Canada on 855-764-7661. In Australia, the Animal Poisons Helpline is 1300 869 738. A consultation fee may apply.

How Vets Treat Plant Poisoning

Mouth irritants are often managed with rinsing, pain relief and stomach protectants. For serious plants, a vet may induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, start fluids and run blood tests on the liver or heart.

Why Dogs Chew Houseplants

Puppies, Teething and Curiosity

Puppies explore with their mouths, and a leaf that wobbles when touched is practically a toy. Teething makes the urge stronger, so move plants up before pickup day and add a few safe chews to your new puppy checklist.

Boredom, Chew Toys and Puzzle Toys

Adult dogs who chew plants are often under-stimulated rather than hungry. A slow sniff walk, a frozen stuffed toy or one of these puzzle dog toys gives that energy a better outlet. If the urge seems constant, mention it to your vet.

Keeping a Dog-Friendly Home With Indoor Plants

Smart Placement for Toxic Indoor Plants

If a toxic plant stays, give it real height: hanging planters, wall shelves or a room the dog never enters. Heavy pots stop tipping. Check for fallen leaves daily, since those are what most dogs actually eat.

Dog-Safe Swaps for Popular Houseplants

Spider plant, Boston fern, parlor palm, calathea and peperomia give the same leafy look without the risk, and zebra haworthia makes a handsome stand-in for aloe. Check the botanical name before buying, since common names overlap.

The ASPCA keeps a searchable list of toxic and non-toxic plants for dogs worth bookmarking.

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals