Houseplants To Avoid

Houseplants can be poisonous to dogs who may chew and eat them, especially if left alone and bored. Puppies in particular may chew on houseplants while they are cutting their new teeth.

The best thing to do may be to keep houseplants high up and out of reach. Be aware that fallen leaves, flowers and fruit from house plants may be picked off the floor by your pet and eaten. Compost in plant-pots may also be hazardous if eaten as it many contain chemical fertilizer or other toxic substances.

Remember that cut flowers may be toxic to dogs if eaten. Lillies, for example, are often kept in the home and are poisonous to dogs and other pets. The water cut flowers are stood in may also be toxic if plant food has been added. As with potted house plants, flower bouquets should be displayed out of the reach of dogs.

Below we have listed some of the more common poisonous houseplants.

  • A
  • African Violet Saintpaulia sp.
  • Also known as Cape Marigold. The leaves of this plant may be toxic for dogs.

  • African Wonder Tree (Castor Oil Plant) Ricinus communis
  • Toxin = Ricin (Highly Toxic)
  • All parts are poisonous, especially the seeds

  • Aloe Aloe vera
  • Toxin = Saponins

  • Arrowhead Vine Syngonium podophyllum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Nephthytis, Green Gold Naphthysis, African Evergreen, Trileaf Wonder. All part of thi plant are poisonous.

  • Arum Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Calla Lily, Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist's Calla,and Garden Calla

  • Asparagus Fern Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri / Asparagus setaceus
  • Toxin = Sapogenins
  • Also known as Emerald Feather, Emerald Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Plumosa Fern, Lace Fern, Racemose Asparagus, and Shatavari

  • Azalea Azalea sp. / Rhododendron sp.
  • Toxin = Grayantoxin
  • All Azalea and Rhododendron spp are toxic to dogs. All parts of these plants are poisonous if chewed or ingested. Symptoms of poisoning include irritation of the stomach and abdominal pain, incresed heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm, convulsions and coma. May be fatal.





  • B
  • Barbados Aloe Aloe barbadensis
  • Toxin = Anthraquinones, anthracene glycosides (aloin)
  • Also known as the Medicine Plant, or True Aloe

  • Begonia Begonia spp.
  • Toxin = Insoluble oxalates

  • C
  • Caladium Caladium hortulanum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Malanga, Elephant's Ears, Stoplight, Seagull, Mother-in-law Plant, Pink Cloud, Texas Wonder, Angel-Wings, Exposition, Candidum, Fancy-leaved Caladium

  • Calamondin Orange Citrus mitis
  • Toxin = Essential oils and psoralens

  • Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist's Calla, Garden Calla, Arum Lily

  • Cape Jasmine Gardenia jasminoides
  • Toxin = Genioposide, Gardenoside
  • Also known as Gardenia

  • Cardboard Palm Zamia furfuracea
  • Toxin = Cycasin
  • Also known as Cycads and zamias

  • Castor Bean Plant/Castor Oil Plant Ricinus communis
  • Toxin = Ricin
  • Also known as the Mole Bean Plant or African Wonder Tree

  • Ceriman Monstera deliciosa
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as the Cutleaf Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Swiss Cheese Plant, or Mexican Breadfruit

  • Charming Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia amoena
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme

  • Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema modestrum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates

  • Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum sp.
  • Toxin = Sesquiterpene, lactones, pyrethrins and other potential irritants

  • Clematis Clematis sp.
  • Toxin affects gastro-intestinal tract and nervous system.

  • Clivia Lily Clivia sp.
  • Toxin = Lycorine and other alkaloids
  • Also known as Kaffir Lily, Clivies, Caffre Lily, Cape Clivia, or Klivia

  • Corn Plant Dracaena fragrans
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as the Cornstalk Plant, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, or Ribbon Plant

  • Cutleaf Philodendron Monstera deliciosa
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Hurricane Plant, Swiss Cheese Plant, Ceriman, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Window Leaf Plant

  • Cyclamen Cyclamen sp.
  • Toxin = Terpenoid saponins
  • Also known as Sowbread

  • Christmas Trees
  • The needles of christmas trees are poisonous to pets.





  • D
  • Daffodil Narcissus sp.
  • Toxin = Lycorine and other alkaloids
  • The bulbs are most poisonous, but also the leaves and flowers if ingested.

  • Daphne Daphne sp.
  • Damages gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys

  • Desert Azalea/ Desert Rose Adenium obesum
  • Toxin = Digitalis like glycosides
  • Also known as the Mock Azalea, Sabi Star, Impala Lily, or Kudu Lily

  • Devil's Ivy Epipremnum aureum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Pothos, Golden Pothos, Taro Vine, or Ivy Arum

  • Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
  • Also known as Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane, Tropic Snow, Dumbcane, Exotica, Spotted Dumb Cane, or Exotica Perfection

  • Dracaena Dracaena sp.
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Dragon Tree, or Ribbon Plant

  • E
  • Elephant Ears Colocasia esculenta / Caladium hortulanum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Caladium, Taro, Pai, Ape, Cape, Via, Via sori, or Malanga

  • Exotica Dieffenbachia amoena
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
  • Also known as Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane, Tropic Snow, Dumbcane, Spotted Dumb Cane, Exotica Perfection, or Dieffenbachia

  • F
  • Fire Lily Hippeastrum sp.
  • Toxin = Lycorine and other alkaloids
  • Also known as Amaryllis, Barbados Lily, Lily of the Palace, or Ridderstjerne

  • Ficus Ficus benjamina
  • Toxin = Proteolytic enzyme (ficin), psoralen (ficusin)
  • Also known as Fig, Weeping Fig,or Indian Rubber Plant

  • Flamingo Flower/ Flamingo Lilly Anthurium scherzeranum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Tail Flower, Oilcloth Flower, Pigtail Plant, or Painter's Pallet

  • Florida Beauty Dracaena surculosa
  • Toxin = Agavaceae
  • Also known as Gold Dust Dracaena, or Spotted Dracaena




  • G
  • Geranium Pelargonium sp.
  • Toxin = Geraniol, linalool

  • Gladiola Gladiolus sp.
  • Toxin = Unknown

  • Good Luck Plant Oxalis spp.
  • Toxin = Soluble calcium oxylates
  • Also known as Shamrock Plant, or Sorrel

  • Grass Palm Cordyline australis
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Giant Dracaena, or Palm Lily

  • H
  • Hosta Hosta plataginea
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Plantain Lily, or Funkia

  • Hurricane Plant Monstera deliciosa
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Cutleaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant, Ceriman, or Mexican Breadfruit

  • Hyacinth Hyacinth orientalis
  • Toxin = Narcissus like alkaloids
  • All parts of this plant are poisonous

  • Hydrangea Hydrangea sp.
  • Toxin = Cyanogenic glycoside
  • Also known as Hortensia, Hills of Snow, or Seven Bark. The leaves and buds of this plant are poisonous, with ingestion resulting in irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

  • I
  • Indian Rubber Plant Ficus benjamina
  • Toxin = Proteolytic enzyme (ficin), psoralen (ficusin)
  • Also known as Fig, Weeping Fig,or Ficus

  • J
  • Jade Plant Crassula argentea
  • Toxin = Unknown
  • Also known as Baby Jade, Dwarf rubber plant, Jade tree, Chinese rubber plant, or Japanese rubber plant




  • K
  • Kaffir Lily Clivia sp.
  • Toxin = Lycorine and other alkaloids
  • Also known as Clivia Lily, Clivies, Caffre Lily, Cape Clivia, or Klivia

  • L
  • Lace Fern Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri / Asparagus setaceus
  • Toxin = Sapogenins
  • Also known as Emerald Feather, Emerald Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Plumosa Fern, Asparagus Fern, Racemose Asparagus, and Shatavari

  • Lacy Tree Philodendron Philodendron selloum
  • Toxin = Calcium oxalate crystals

  • M
  • Madagascar Dragon Tree Dracaena marginata
  • Toxin = Unknown

  • Malanga Colocasia esculenta
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Caladium, or Elephant's Ears

  • Mother-In-Law's Tongue Sansevieria trifasciata
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Snake Plant, Golden Bird's Nest, or Good Luck Plant

  • N
  • Narcissus Narcissus sp.
  • Toxin = Lycorine and other alkaloids
  • Also known as Daffodil, Jonquil, or Paper White

  • O
  • Ornamental Pepper Solanum pseudocapsicum
  • Toxin = Solanine
  • Also known as Natal Cherry, Winter Cherry, or Jerusalem Cherry





  • P
  • Painter's Pallet Anthurium scherzeranum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Flamingo Plant, Flamingo Lily, Tail Flower, Oilcloth Flower, Pigtail Plant, or Flamingo Flower

  • Palm Lilly Cordyline australis
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Giant Dracaena, or Grass palm

  • Peace Lily Spathiphyllum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates

  • Philodendron Philodendron sp.
  • Toxin = Calcium oxalate crystals

  • Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
  • Toxin = Irritant Sap (latex)
  • Poisoning is not likely to be serious, but this plant can cause skin, mouth, eye, and stomach irritation.

  • Pothos Epipremnum aureum
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Golden Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Taro Vine, or Ivy Arum
  • Q

  • R
  • Ribbon Plant Dracaena sp.
  • Toxin = Saponins
  • Also known as Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Dracaena, or Dragon Tree




  • S
  • Saddle LeafPhilodendron bipennifolium
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Horsehead Philodendron, Cordatum, Heartleaf Philodendron, Panda Plant, Split Leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Red Emerald, Red Princess, or Fiddle Leaf

  • Sago PalmCycas revoluta, zamia species
  • Toxin = Cycasin
  • Also known as Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias

  • Satin Pothos Scindapsus pictus
  • Toxin = Calcium oxalate crystals
  • Also known as Silk Pothos

  • Schefflera Schefflera
  • Toxin = Calcium oxalate crystals
  • Also known as Umbrella Tree, Australian Ivy Palm, Octopus Tree, or Starleaf

  • Shamrock Plant Oxalis sp.
  • Toxin = Soluble calcium oxylates
  • Also known as Good Luck Plant or Sorrel

  • Silver Jade Plant/Silver Dollar Plant Crassula arborescens
  • Toxin = Unknown
  • Also Known as Chinese Jade

  • Spider Plant
  • All parts of this plant are poisonous. Watch out for trailing leaves.

  • Split Leaf Philodendron (Swiss Cheese Plant) Philodendron bipennifolium
  • Toxin = Insoluble calcium oxalates
  • Also known as Horsehead Philodendron, Cordatum, Heartleaf Philodendron, Panda Plant, Fiddle-Leaf, Fruit Salad Plant, Red Emerald, Red Princess, or Saddle Leaf

  • T

  • U
  • Umbrella Tree Schefflera
  • Toxin = Calcium oxalate crystals
  • Also known as Schefflera, Australian Ivy Palm, Octopus Tree, or Starleaf

  • V

  • W
  • Weeping Fig Ficus sp.
  • Toxin = fig, indian rubber plant
  • Also known as fig, or indian rubber plant

  • X

  • Y
  • Yucca Yucca
  • Toxin = Saponins

  • Z
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As with all the contents of these page, the above is intended for educational purposes only. This information is not intended as medical advice, and should not replace veterinary consultation or treatment.
For more information, the website of the Veterinary Poisons Information Service is a good place to start. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with toxic plants or substances, DON'T DELAY! Call your vet IMMEDIATELY!