Keep Your Pets Safe Around Plants

We all love to keep plants in and around the house, but we should consider which ones are safe for pets. Young or new pets tend to nibble and taste plants as they explore and become familiar with their environment, but some garden and house plants are toxic. Symptoms may range from a mild upset stomach to a severe toxic response that can lead to death. It is important to know which plants are safe, as even common plants can be deadly.

Plant toxicities can be organized into four classes:

1. Major Toxicity: May result in serious illness or death if ingested.
2. Minor Toxicity: May result in vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. 
3. Oxalates: Contain juice or sap with oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin, mouth and/or throat, cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pain, and/or an upset stomach.
4. Dermatitis: Contact with thorns or sap may result in a skin rash.

Note: If you suspect a poison–related emergency, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888–426–4435.

Amaryllis Amaryllis spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Autumn Crocus Colchicum autumnale. Toxicity class 1,4

Bay laurel (Sweet bay) Laurus nobilis. Toxicity class 2

Caladium Caladium spp. Toxicity class 3,4

Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica Toxicity class 3,4

Cardinal flower Lobelia spp. Toxicity class 1,4

Castor bean Ricinus communis Toxicity class 1

Cyclamen Cyclamen spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Daffodil (bulb) Narcissus spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Daylily Hemerocallis spp. Toxicity class 1 (cats)

Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane) Dieffenbachia seguine Toxicity class 3

Easter lily,  Oriental lily Lilium spp. Toxicity class 1,2,4 (cats)

Elephant ear Colocasia esculenta Toxicity class 3,4

English ivy Hedera spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Toxicity class 1

Hyacinth Hyacinthus spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Jade Plant (Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant) Crassula argentea

Toxicity class 2,4

Laburnum (Golden chain tree) Laburnum anagyroides Toxicity class 2

Mother-in-law’s tongue (Snake plant) Sansevieria trifasciata Toxicity class 2,4

Mistletoe Phoradendron spp. Toxicity class 2,4

Oleander Nerium oleander Toxicity class 1,4

Philodendron Monstera deliciosa Toxicity class 3,4

Rhododendron azalea Rhododendron spp. Toxicity class 1

Sago palm Cycas revoluta Toxicity class 1

Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla Toxicity class 2,4

Yew Taxus spp. Toxicity class 1

Keep toxic plants out of your pet’s reach or use fencing to keep pets away. This is not a complete list of plants that can potentially be harmful to your pets. For more information on plants that could be harmful to pets, check out toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA, or poisonous plants for dogs and cats from the Veterinary Partner website.

Status and Revision History
Published on Feb 23, 2022