Houseplants toxic to cats (with safer swaps)

Common indoor plants marked toxic or mild for cats in our sourced data. Mild usually means oral irritation; toxic can include organ failure. Open each plant page for the full source link.

Related: 20 cat-safe houseplants · Why lilies kill cats

1. Lily toxic (Lilium species)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Cats: kidney failure. True lily (Lilium): life-threatening kidney failure in cats. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Polka Dot Plant.
2. Easter Lily toxic (Lilium longiflorum)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible. Cats are only species known to be affected. True lily (Lilium): life-threatening kidney failure in cats. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Polka Dot Plant.
3. Sago Palm toxic (Cycas revoluta, zamia species)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Areca Palm, Bamboo Palm, Bottle Palm.
4. Peace Lily mild (Spathiphyllum)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Note: not a true Lilium — usually oral irritation from calcium oxalates, not the kidney failure of Easter/Asiatic lilies. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Cast Iron Plant, Calathea, Parlor Palm.
5. Calla Lily mild (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing Note: not a true Lilium — usually oral irritation from calcium oxalates, not the kidney failure of Easter/Asiatic lilies. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Lipstick Plant.
6. Golden Pothos mild (Epipremnum aureum)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Swedish Ivy, Wax Plant.
7. Devils Ivy mild (Epipremnum aureum)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Swedish Ivy, Wax Plant, Spider Plant.
8. Heartleaf Philodendron mild (Philodendron hederaceum)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Swedish Ivy, Wax Plant, Lipstick Plant.
9. Dieffenbachia mild (Dieffenbachia)
   Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth , tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Calathea, Prayer Plant, Cast Iron Plant.
10. Snake Plant toxic (Sansevieria trifasciata)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Cast Iron Plant, Haworthia, Bottle Palm.
11. Aloe toxic (Aloe vera)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting (not horses), lethargy, diarrhea. The gel is considered edible. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Zebra Haworthia, Haworthia, Blue Echeveria.
12. Jade Plant toxic (Crassula argentea)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting, depression, incoordination Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Hens and Chickens, Blue Echeveria, Burro's Tail.
13. ZZ Plant toxic (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
    Symptoms (from NC State Extension Plant Toolbox): diarrhea, vomiting if leaves are consumed in quantity. Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox entry. Safer swaps: Cast Iron Plant, Aluminum Plant, Baby Rubber Plant.
14. Swiss Cheese Plant toxic (Monstera deliciosa)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Areca Palm, Money Tree, Calathea.
15. English Ivy toxic (Hedera helix)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Swedish Ivy, Wax Plant, Spider Plant.
16. Corn Plant toxic (Dracaena fragrans)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats). Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Bamboo Palm, Parlor Palm, Bottle Palm.
17. Dracaena toxic (Dracaena spp.)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats). Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Bamboo Palm, Parlor Palm, Bottle Palm.
18. Chinese Evergreen mild (Aglaonema modestum)
    Symptoms (from ASPCA): Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing Source: ASPCA entry. Safer swaps: Cast Iron Plant, Calathea, Aluminum Plant.

Not veterinary advice. Emergency: vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435.