Cat Toxicity Chart: 50 Houseplants, Their Toxins, Symptoms & What to Do

Is your houseplant toxic to cats? This trusted guide lists 50 common toxic houseplants with details on the part that’s dangerous, the compound involved, symptoms to watch for, and what to do if your cat eats it.

We have two cats. We love them. And we also love houseplants—which makes things tricky because there aren’t very many houseplants that are safe for cats. A couple years ago, one of our cats somehow got into the top floor and munched an entire fiddle leaf fig leaf. We panicked. Googled everything. Called our vet in that same anxiety.

He was okay, thank goodness. But it shook us up. We haveall the toxic plants to the top floor—a no-cat zone—and started tracking which plants were safe, and which weren’t. We’ve consulted our veterinarian, read everything from ASPCA to university vet school sites, and built a chart we now use constantly!

This isn’t just a list that says “toxic.” It’s a detailed guide that tells you what part is dangerous, what compound is in it, what happens, and what to do if your cat eats it. We hope this helps you keep your plants—and your pets—safe.

Understanding Toxicity in Houseplants

Not all plant poisonings look the same. Some cause vomiting. Some cause liver damage. Others can shut down kidneys altogether.

Most toxic houseplants fall into a few categories of compounds: calcium oxalates, saponins, alkaloids, or glycosides.

Calcium oxalates can make a cat drool or paw at their mouth. Glycosides—like those in oleander—can affect the heart. Even a “mild” toxin can still make your cat miserable.

And severity depends on how much they eat, what part of the plant it was, and how fast you act. Here in this chart we have listed all the information we find useful as a handy guide — because lets face it, we all forget which is one is toxic and which one isn’t when we see some new plant that we want to bring home!

Here is our chart of 50 popular houseplants with its toxicity information, and what to do if you pet accidently swallows it

Plant Name	Toxic Part	Toxic Compound	Severity	Symptoms	What to do if ingensted
Golden Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)	All parts (leaves, stems)	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral irritation (burning of mouth, tongue, lips), drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing	Remove any plant material, rinse mouth with water. Contact a veterinarian or poison control; seek vet care if swelling or breathing trouble occurs.
Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)	All parts (especially leaves)	Saponins	Mild	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (gastrointestinal upset)	Offer water and monitor. Prevent further ingestion. Contact a vet if vomiting is severe or persistent.
Aloe Vera	Leaves (particularly the gel/latex in leaf)	Anthraquinone glycosides (e.g. aloin)	Moderate	Vomiting, diarrhea (often red-tinged due to plant pigments), lethargy	Wipe away any plant gel from the cat’s mouth. Ensure the cat stays hydrated; contact a vet if diarrhea or vomiting persists.
Peace Lily (Mauna Loa)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Intense burning of mouth and tongue, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing	Rinse the mouth with water to dilute crystals. Contact a vet or poison control for guidance; monitor for throat swelling.
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed unless the cat shows unusual behavior (unlikely).
Spider Plant	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected (large amounts may cause mild nausea)	No action needed unless the cat shows digestive upset (rare and mild).
Jade Plant (Crassula)	All parts (fleshy leaves, stems)	Unknown irritant (toxic principle unknown)	Moderate	Vomiting, depression (lethargy), incoordination; rarely, slow heart rate	Remove plant material from the cat’s mouth. Contact a veterinarian for advice; monitor for worsening of symptoms or lethargy.
African Violet	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed unless the cat shows unusual behavior.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)	All parts (sap in leaves/stems)	Proteolytic enzymes (ficin) and psoralen (ficusin)	Mild	Irritation of mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea; contact with sap may cause skin redness	Rinse out mouth and wipe off any sap from fur/skin. Offer water and monitor; contact a vet if vomiting or skin irritation continues.
Money Tree (Pachira)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected (ingestion may cause minor stomach upset in rare cases)	No action needed unless the cat shows prolonged vomiting or other unusual behavior.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)	All parts	Steroidal saponins (unknown specific types)	Moderate	Drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness; cats may show dilated pupils	Remove any chewed plant pieces. Offer water and contact a vet or poison helpline for guidance; monitor for dehydration or persistent vomiting.
English Ivy	Leaves (more toxic than berries)	Triterpenoid saponins (hederagenin)	Moderate	Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea	Prevent further ingestion. Rinse out mouth with water; contact a vet if symptoms are significant or the cat ate a large amount.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Mild	Irritation of mouth, drooling, possible vomiting, reluctance to eat	Rinse the cat’s mouth with water to soothe irritation. Monitor for improvement; consult a vet if vomiting continues or the cat refuses food.
Boston Fern	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed aside from routine observation.
Areca Palm	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)	All parts (sap in leaves, stems)	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (in irritant sap)	Mild	Oral irritation (mouth/tongue pain), drooling, vomiting; possible skin irritation from sap	Wipe sap from the mouth or skin and rinse mouth with water. Monitor for discomfort; contact a vet if vomiting persists or mouth swelling occurs.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed.
Bromeliads (e.g., Guzmania)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected (occasionally mild stomach upset if leaves are chewed)	No action needed unless rare vomiting/diarrhea occurs (then consult a vet if it doesn’t resolve).
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)	All parts (leaves, bark)	Saponins (steroidal glycosides)	Moderate	Drooling, vomiting (sometimes with blood), loss of appetite, depression; cats may develop dilated pupils	Remove any plant fragments from the mouth. Offer a small amount of water or milk to dilute stomach contents. Contact a vet for guidance and monitor closely.
Croton (Codiaeum)	All parts (leaves, sap)	Irritant oils/resins in sap (toxins not fully characterized)	Moderate	Mouth irritation (sometimes drooling), vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite; possible skin irritation from sap	Rinse out the mouth with water. Wash sap off fur/skin with mild soap and water (wear gloves). Contact a veterinarian if significant vomiting or irritation occurs.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral pain, drooling, swelling of tongue/lips, difficulty swallowing, vomiting	Rinse mouth with water to relieve irritation. Contact a vet, especially if swelling causes breathing issues or the cat cannot eat/drink.
Ponytail Palm	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed. (The plant is harmless, though eating a lot of any plant may cause mild upset.)
Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea)	All parts (leaves contain sap)	Irritant sap (contains oxalates and other irritants)	Mild	Mild gastrointestinal upset (drooling, vomiting) and occasionally skin irritation on contact	Wipe out the mouth and paws (to remove sap). Monitor for persistent vomiting or rash; consult a vet if symptoms worsen or do not resolve.
Kalanchoe (Flaming Katy)	All parts (flowers have highest concentration)	Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides	High	Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling; in large ingestions, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures (rare)	Emergency: Contact a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless directed. Prompt treatment is crucial if a large amount was consumed.
Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed (true jasmine plants are not poisonous to cats).
Heartleaf Philodendron	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Intense mouth irritation, drooling, pawing at mouth, vomiting, difficulty swallowing	Rinse mouth with clean water. Contact a vet for guidance; offer something cool like water or yogurt to soothe mouth, and watch for improvement.
Silver Leaf Philodendron (e.g., Satin Pothos)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral irritation (burning sensation), drooling, vomiting, lack of appetite due to pain	Rinse the cat’s mouth with water. Keep the cat from eating more and call a veterinarian if significant symptoms occur or persist.
Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata)	All parts (especially roots/tubers)	Insoluble oxalate crystals (concentrated in tubers)	Mild	Drooling, vomiting, difficulty eating (due to mouth irritation)	Offer the cat water or milk to help rinse the mouth. Monitor for continued vomiting; if it lasts more than a few episodes, consult a veterinarian.
Black Velvet Alocasia (Alocasia reginula)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Severe oral irritation, intense burning of mouth and throat, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing	Rinse out the mouth immediately with water. Contact a vet promptly due to the risk of throat swelling; keep the cat calm and breathing freely.
Bird’s Nest Anthurium	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (similar to Dieffenbachia effects)	Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water. Seek veterinary care if the cat shows significant swelling or pain, or if eating/drinking is difficult.
Ficus Audrey (Ficus benghalensis)	All parts (sap in leaves/stems)	Proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and psoralen (ficusin)	Mild	Mild oral irritation, drooling, vomiting; potential dermatitis if sap contacts skin	Wipe away any sap and rinse the mouth with water. Monitor for mild vomiting or drooling; call a vet if symptoms do not resolve or the cat seems very uncomfortable.
Homalomena ‘Selby’	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Mouth irritation (pain, drooling), vomiting, reluctance to eat; possibly diarrhea and lethargy if ingested in quantity	Rinse the cat’s mouth with water to ease irritation. Prevent further chewing. If vomiting or pain continues, consult a veterinarian.
Prayer Plant (Maranta)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed. (Ingestion of this plant is not harmful to cats.)
Gardenia (Cape Jasmine)	All parts (flowers, leaves)	Genioposide and gardenoside (iridoid glycosides)	Mild	Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea; in some cases, hives or skin rash	Generally mild: offer water and monitor. If vomiting or rash persists or the cat seems uncomfortable, contact a veterinarian for advice.
Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected (ingesting large quantities may cause minor upset)	No action needed apart from monitoring for any unusual behavior (unlikely).
Monstera adansonii (Swiss Cheese Vine)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral burning and irritation, drooling, crying out in pain, vomiting, difficulty swallowing	Rinse mouth with water to reduce irritation. Contact a vet if the cat continues to vomit or shows swelling of the mouth/throat.
String of Pearls (Senecio)	All parts (leaves, sap)	Unknown (suspected pyrrolizidine alkaloids)	Moderate	Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy; Note: sap can irritate skin and eyes	Remove any plant pieces from the cat’s mouth. Rinse mouth and paws with water. Contact a veterinarian, especially if a large amount was eaten or if the cat becomes lethargic.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed (this plant is cat-friendly).
Assorted Succulents	Varies by species (Unknown)	Varies by species (Unknown)	Unknown	Unknown/Varies: Some succulents are non-toxic (no symptoms), others cause mild GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea)	Identify the specific succulent species ingested. If unsure, err on the side of caution: monitor the cat and contact a vet or poison control if any unusual symptoms occur.
Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Burning of mouth and throat, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (similar to Peace Lily)	Rinse out the mouth with water. Contact a vet for guidance and observe for any breathing difficulty or inability to eat.
Olive Tree (Olea europaea)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no poisoning symptoms (olive leaves/fruit are not toxic to cats)	No action needed. (Eating a few leaves or fruit may cause only minor GI upset, if any.)
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)	Fruit, seeds (flowers and leaves less so)	GI irritants (tannins, etc. in seed/fruit)	Mild	Mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness; symptoms primarily if seeds or fruit are ingested	Remove any remaining fruit/seed material from the cat’s mouth. Offer water and monitor; if lethargy or vomiting persists beyond a couple of hours, consult a veterinarian.
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)	All parts (especially leaves)	Saponins (steroidal)	Moderate	Vomiting (occasionally with blood), loss of appetite, drooling, depression; cats may have dilated pupils	Wipe out the mouth to remove plant residue. Encourage hydration. Seek veterinary advice, as medication may be needed to alleviate symptoms; monitor closely until the cat recovers.
Philodendron ‘Birkin’	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Oral irritation (pain, swelling), drooling, vomiting, refusal to eat due to discomfort	Rinse the mouth with water. Keep the cat calm and keep food/water available; if significant symptoms continue, get veterinary care for pain relief and anti-nausea treatment.
Tradescantia zebrina (Wandering Jew)	All parts (sap in stems/leaves)	Irritant compounds in sap (oxalates and others)	Mild	Mild vomiting, drooling, and/or diarrhea; skin redness or itch if prolonged contact with sap	Clean the cat’s mouth and any sap on fur with water. Monitor for minor GI upset or skin irritation; usually it resolves. Consult a vet if vomiting is frequent or the skin reaction is severe.
Hoya (Wax Plant)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected (ingestion of Hoya plants is generally harmless)	No action needed, other than perhaps cleaning up any plant mess.
Monstera deliciosa (Split-Leaf Philodendron)	All parts	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals	Moderate	Intense mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (similar to other arums)	Rinse the cat’s mouth with water to remove irritants. Contact a vet if the cat is very distressed or cannot eat/drink after a short time.
Dracaena (all species)	All parts (leaves, stalks)	Steroidal saponins	Mild	Vomiting, drooling, anorexia, depression; large ingestions can cause incoordination and weakness (cats may also have wide pupils)	Remove any plant material, offer water. Generally self-limiting, but call a vet if a large amount was consumed or if the cat is very weak or won’t eat.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)	All parts (stems and leaves)	Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) and proteolytic enzymes	Moderate	Immediate burning/irritation of mouth and throat, excessive drooling, pawing at mouth, vomiting; potential swelling of tongue and difficulty breathing if severe	Urgent Care: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water (use a wet cloth to wipe the mouth). Seek veterinary care if any swelling is observed or if the cat is in significant distress, as swelling can obstruct breathing.
Calathea (Peacock/Prayer Plant)	None – Non-toxic	None	Non-toxic	Safe for cats; no symptoms expected	No action needed. (Calathea species are pet-friendly houseplants.)

Most Dangerous Offenders

Some plants are dangerous. Others are deadly. These are the top five we avoid having anywhere cats can reach:

Sago Palm – Even a small amount can cause fatal liver failure. This one’s non-negotiable. Never in reach.

Lilies – Especially toxic to cats. Even pollen or water from the vase can cause kidney failure.

Oleander – Contains cardiac glycosides. Can cause irregular heartbeat and death. Definitely not a houseplant for a cat household.

Dieffenbachia – Looks harmless, but the swelling it causes can block airways. Scary and fast-acting.

Cyclamen – The tubers are the most toxic. But even leaves can cause seizures or abnormal heart rhythms.

If you own any of these, keep them where no paws can roam—or better yet, out of the house entirely.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Toxic Plant

We get it. Everyone wants to believe a few plants will purify their air and boost their oFirst—don’t panic. Most reactions are treatable if you act quickly.