An estimated 33.1 million households in the United States had indoor plants in 2019. That number has likely gone up, as it followed an upward trend and as people were home more during the pandemic. If you’re both a dog mom or dad and a plant mom or dad, you’re not alone. Plants have been shown to be air purifiers, mood lifters, productivity boosters and overall beneficial for mental health. But many are dangerous to our canine companions. Here are 19 popular houseplants that are toxic to dogs and safe alternatives to try instead.
Although the inner parts of Aloe vera plants are safe for dogs (the gel can be used topically on skin and fur, while the juice is safe for drinking), chewing on the plant can be dangerous. The plant contains toxins called saponins (a natural chemical produced by plants for protection from insects, microbes, and fungi) and anthraquinone glycosides that can cause gastrointestinal issues when ingested. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.
Non-Toxic Alternative: Haworthia (or Zebra Plant)
- Get a similar look to Aloe with Haworthia, a succulent that also has soft spines.
2. Asparagus Fern
Though its name indicates otherwise, the Asparagus fern is actually a relative of lilies, which are known to be dangerous to dogs. This means it has similar toxicity as lilies. Ingestion of or repeated exposure to asparagus fern can cause diarrhea, vomiting and skin irritation.
Non-Toxic Alternative: Boston Fern
- For a similar, spread out fluffy look, try a Boston fern.
3. Bird Of Paradise
This tropical houseplant is named after the animal called Birds-of-paradise, thanks to a beautiful flower that resembles the bird’s plumage. That flower, though, is the most toxic part of this plant. That being said, ingesting any part of a Bird Of Paradise can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and requires vet care.
Non-Toxic Alternative #1: Banana Palm
- For a similarly tall plant with large leaves, try a Banana Palm.
Non-Toxic Alternative #2: Bromeliad
- For a similarly colorful flower, though at a much smaller size, try a Bromeliad.
4. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen may be easy to care for, but won’t be easy on your dog. This plant is related to the Peace Lily and also contains calcium oxalate crystals. Ingesting it can cause swelling, mouth pain, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing.
Non-Toxic Alternative #1: Calathea Exotica
- For a similar size and variegated look, try a Calathea plant.
Non-Toxic Alternative #2: Polka Dot Plant
- For a similar size but a more colorful look, try a Polka Dot Plant.
5. Corn Plant
Corn plants are part of the Dracaena family, which contain the toxic substance saponin. If ingested, this compound can cause intestinal irritation such as vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea and loss of appetite. It also causes other symptoms such as excessive saliva or drooling, weakness, ataxia and depression.
Non-Toxic Alternative #1: Money Tree
- For a similar size (corn plants can grow to eight feet tall) and a visible trunk, try a Money Tree.
Non-Toxic Alternative #2: Cast Iron Plant
- For a similar look but smaller size (up to two feet), try a Cast Iron Plant.
6. Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata, also known as the Madagascar Dragon Tree, also contains saponins, unsurprisingly. As aforementioned, they can cause intestinal irritation when ingested (such as vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea and loss of appetite). It also causes other symptoms such as drooling, weakness, ataxia and depression.
Non-Toxic Alternative #1: Windmill Palm or Majesty Palm
- For a similar size (dracaena marginatas can grow to six feet tall) and look, try a Chinese Fan Palm, Lady Palm or Bamboo.
Non-Toxic Alternative #2: Ponytail Palm
- For a tall and similar but droopier look, try a Ponytail Palm.
Dieffenbachia, or Dumb Canes, are tall plants (they can grow up to five feet) that contain calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves. This can cause symptoms of poisoning when ingested. These include mouth and tongue irritation, pain and burning; swelling; drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing (in rare cases) and death (in rare and severe cases).
Non-Toxic Alternative: Calathea Makoyana
- For a taller plant with a similar variegated look, try a Calathea plant (which grows up to two feet tall).
8. Elephant Ear
- For a similar size (Elephant Ears can grow up to eight feet) and large foliage, try a Banana Palm.
- For a similarly colorful look of the Caladium variety (though in the much smaller size of 12-18 inches), try a Polka Dot Plant.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig plant, named for it’s fiddle shaped leaves, is a beautiful tree that can grow to be six feet tall or more. It’s popularity has skyrocketed over the last several years, but unfortunately it’s toxic to dogs. The plant is a Philodendron, so it contains insoluble calcium oxalates. If ingested, it can cause mouth, tongue and lip burning, irritation and pain as well as excessive drooling, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation and pain, and difficulty swallowing.
- For a tall plant that has a similar look and large foliage, try a Banana Palm.
Ivy is often seen climbing up trees or house and garden walls. Its cascading look is beautiful but can be dangerous to your canine companion. Many varieties of ivy leaves contain toxins, such as triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds. When ingested, these can cause abdominal pain and irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling.
Non-Toxic Alternative: Swedish Ivy
- For a similar cascading look, try Swedish Ivy (which is not actually an ivy).
12. Jade Plant
The Jade Plant is a hardy succulent that is often seen in small sizes but can grow quite a bit. Unfortunately, it is toxic to dogs, though the exact toxic compounds are unknown. When ingested, symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation and distress (like vomiting and abdominal pain), lethargy, weakness, depression, a slow heart rate or heartbeat irregularities (rare), uncoordinated or impaired muscle movements (rare) and convulsions (rare).
- For a similar look and larger size, try a Peperomia (which can grow up to 11 inches.
- For a smaller succulent, try an Echeveria (which can grow up to 11 inches.
Like the Elephant Ears, Monsteras are a type of Philodendron, which are toxic to dogs. This is because its leaves contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, they can cause mouth and tongue pain, irritation and swelling as well as vomiting, drooling, difficulty breathing. In severe and rare cases, they may even be fatal.
Peace Lilies are characterized by deep green, glossy leaves and beautiful, white lily flowers. But they are quite toxic to dogs due to the calcium oxalate crystals they contain. Ingestion of and even contact with the plant can cause mouth pain and irritation, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing and vomiting (if ingested).
- For a similar look in terms of foliage as well as size, try a Cast Iron Plant (Peace Lilies can grow between one and four feet tall, while Cast Irons grow two to three feet tall)
- For a white flowering plant, try an Orchid.
The cascading Pothos plant is closely related to the Philodendron, meaning it too has toxic properties to dogs. Specifically, the leaves contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals. When ingested, these compounds can cause mouth and tongue pain, irritation and swelling as well as vomiting, drooling, difficulty breathing (though rare). In severe and rare cases, they may even be fatal.
The Rubber Tree or Ficus elastica (not to be confused with the Baby or American Rubber Plant) are large plants that can grow up to 10 feet tall. They have beautiful leaves that are green or maroon and sometimes have white, cream, yellow, or pink markings. Also called a Rubber Fig, these plants contain toxic compounds, particularly in their sap. These can cause irritation to dogs when ingested or with contact to the skin. Potential symptoms include skin irritation or dermatitis, mouth and tongue pain and irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and decreased appetite.
- For a similar silhouette, still smaller but slightly larger than the other options (up to three feet), try a Cast Iron Plant.
The Sago Palm is an exotic, tropical palm. But every part of the plant is toxic to dogs (from the seeds and roots to the trunk and leaves). It’s high toxicity lands this palm a spot on the Pet Poison Helpline’s Top Terrible Toxins list. It contains the toxic compound cycasin. Mild toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy while more serious toxicity can cause seizures, liver failure and death.
Non-Toxic Alternative #1: Canary Island Date Palm
- For a very similar look but larger size, try a Canary Island Date Palm (grows up to six feet tall).
Non-Toxic Alternative #2: Majesty Palm
- For a similar tropical aesthetic but slightly smaller size (though still smaller than the Sago Palm), try a Majesty Palm (grows up to five feet tall).
18. Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is also known as Mother-in-Laws Tongue, Good Luck Plant, Golden Bird’s Nest and Sansevieria. This plant has an intriguing look with its pointy, vertical leaves (though some do flare out a little). But this plant is toxic to dogs, thanks to the saponins it contains. If ingested, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tongue or throat numbing and swelling, excessive drooling and loss of appetite.
Non-Toxic Alternative: Spider Plant
- For a similar spiky look, though more flared or draping, try a Spider Plant.
The ZZ Plant’s name comes from it’s scientific name, Zamioculcas zamiifolia and is popular for its ability to survive most conditions. But all parts of this hardy plant are toxic to dogs if ingested. This is because it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth pain, irritation and swelling as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory issues.
- For a similar look and fleshy leaves, but smaller size (up to 11 inches), try a Peperomia.
For a bunch of pet-friendly options available for purchase, check out Rooted on Amazon.