10 Harmful Houseplants to Keep Away From Your Pets and Safe Alternatives

If your home is shared with both pets and plants, it's important to know that not every houseplant is safe for animals. While some are harmless, others can be toxic to cats and dogs, whether they chew on them or just brush against their leaves.

We’ve compiled a list of the most harmful houseplants to ensure your pets' safety in a plant-filled environment. Keep reading to learn which plants are dangerous for pets, and check out our recommendations for pet-safe plants. We also offer advice on how to keep a harmonious balance between your pets and your greenery.

Dangerous Plants for Cats and Dogs (and Safe Plant Replacements for Pets)

If you’re a pet owner with any of the toxic plants mentioned here, it’s a good idea to replace them with safer alternatives. For those adding new plants to their home, choosing pet-friendly options is a wise and protective decision.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera may offer healing benefits for humans, but if cats or dogs ingest the leaves, they could experience symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, as reported by the ASPCA.

Pet-Friendly Alternative: Haworthia

Haworthia, a small succulent from the succulent family, is known for its unique white-studded bands on its leaves. It thrives in bright light and moist conditions with good soil drainage. Although it resembles aloe in size and shape, it is completely safe for cats and dogs.

2. Clivia

Clivia plants produce vibrant tropical flowers, but both the blooms and the rest of the plant contain lycorine, a substance that can lead to nausea and diarrhea in pets.

Pet-Friendly Alternative: African Violet

Saintpaulia, commonly known as African violet, is characterized by its soft green leaves and vibrant, year-round flowers that come in shades of lavender, blue, pink, red, and white. Both its leaves and flowers are safe for cats and dogs, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a low-maintenance, blooming plant.

3. Asparagus Fern

Touching the asparagus fern may result in allergic dermatitis, causing itching, while its berries can lead to vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.

Pet-Safe Alternative: Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Known for their delicate, frilly green leaves, Boston ferns are a timeless addition to any space. These plants thrive in cool areas with high humidity and indirect light. They are one of the easiest fern varieties to care for, and are also safe for pets.

4. Monstera

Monstera, also known as Swiss cheese plants due to their distinctive hole-filled leaves, are beloved by plant enthusiasts, but unfortunately, they are not safe for pets. These tropical plants contain calcium oxalates, which can cause severe irritation around the lips, tongue, and mouth, as well as breathing difficulties.

Pet-Safe Alternative: Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

With its vibrant blooms brightening the coldest winter months, the Christmas cactus is a stunning addition to any home. This plant is easy to care for and thrives in low-light environments. A member of the easily propagated succulents, it is completely safe for pets, allowing you to cut and replant freely, ensuring one in every room.

5. Corn Plant

Corn plants, also known as dracaena or dragon trees, contain saponins. These substances can lead to symptoms like vomiting, dilated pupils, excessive drooling, and loss of appetite in pets.

Pet-Safe Alternative: Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)

A variety of air plant, staghorn ferns thrive when mounted on a board and suspended on a wall, where they can benefit from proper air and moisture circulation. Resembling the antlers of a staghorn deer, these pet-friendly plants are increasingly appreciated as living art pieces.

6. Sago Palm

Sago palms are definitely a plant to avoid if you have pets. They contain cycasin, a toxin that can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, liver damage or failure, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and even death.

Pet-Safe Replacement: Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

As the name suggests, the parlor palm is an ideal houseplant due to its ability to thrive in low light and cooler environments, unlike many other palm varieties. It grows in compact clusters, with its graceful, arching green fronds creating a soft, feathery canopy. This stunning, non-toxic plant also serves as an excellent air purifier.

7. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are well-known for their risks to pets. Like other plants on this list, they contain calcium oxalates, which can cause discomfort such as difficulty swallowing, along with burning and irritation in the mouth and tongue.

Pet-Safe Replacement: Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)

Bringing a tropical vibe to your space is effortless with a hibiscus plant. It flourishes in direct sunlight and thrives in temperatures ranging from 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can be a bit challenging to grow outside of temperate climates, once you master its care, you'll enjoy stunning, vibrant, pet-friendly flowers.

8. Pothos

The well-loved pothos plant is an ideal choice for low-maintenance plant enthusiasts, but it’s best to keep it away from pets, especially cats. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Pet-Safe Replacement: Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

With its elegantly trailing, grass-like foliage, the spider plant is a resilient species that flourishes in various environments. This plant is ideal for hanging, as it produces small spiderettes that dangle from the main plant like a web, all while being completely safe for inquisitive pets.

9. Jade Plant

This well-known succulent can lead to vomiting, lethargy, and lack of coordination in pets, as reported by the ASPCA.

Pet-Safe Replacement: Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula)

Famous for its carnivorous habits, the Venus fly trap is a strikingly unique plant with lash-like teeth that snap shut when triggered by prey. Found naturally in the swamps of the Carolinas, it thrives in bright light and humid environments. Though deadly to gnats and small bugs, this fascinating plant poses no threat to pets.

10. Amaryllis

These festive plants contain lycorine and other toxic substances, which may result in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors in pets.

Pet-Safe Alternative: Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)

Known for their glossy green foliage and fragrant blossoms, wax plants thrive in dry environments, making them ideal for indoor growth. Their star-shaped flowers, which appear in clusters ranging from pink to white, produce a sweet nectar. Fortunately, these plants are safe for pets.

How to Ensure the Safety of Pets and Plants

Getting pets and houseplants to coexist peacefully can be a difficult task. Even the most well-behaved pet, like Fluffy, might sneak a bite or start scratching the soil of your favorite plant when you’re not looking.

Even plants considered 'safe' for pets can cause illness if ingested in large amounts. This isn’t great for the plant, either. To foster a safe environment for both pets and plants, here are some tips to consider:

• Place dangerous plants in off-limits areas. If you're keeping plants that are toxic, store them in rooms or spaces your pets can't access, like high shelves, bathrooms, or spare rooms with the door closed.
• Monitor your pets when unsupervised. Crating your pets or blocking access to areas with plants can prevent them from chewing or eating plants when you're not home.
• Cover the soil. If your pets like to dig, prevent them from disturbing the soil by using materials like shells, pebbles, aluminum foil, or other textures that aren’t comfortable under their paws.
• Provide alternatives for chewing and digging. To reduce the appeal of your plants, offer pets other spots to scratch or chew, such as chew toys, scratching posts, or even a designated digging area outside.
• Use sprays to deter. Applying sprays like bitter apple or diluted lemon juice can discourage pets from nibbling on delicate plant leaves.