9 Popular Houseplants That Could Be Dangerous — Even Deadly — For Your Pets

That snake plant you picked up because it filters air? The aloe vera on your kitchen windowsill? They may look harmless, but several of the trendiest indoor plants circulating on social media and in garden centers right now carry real risks for cats and dogs.

Here’s a plant-by-plant breakdown of what to watch for, what each one does to pets, and how to spot trouble early.

Aloe vera

It’s in skin care routines, smoothie recipes, and seemingly every “starter plant” list on the internet. But Vet Radar writes, “The plant contains compounds that can lead to gastrointestinal distress if ingested by dogs. Aloin, a bitter yellow substance found in the latex of aloe leaves, is the primary culprit.”

The specific compound here is aloin, concentrated in the latex layer just beneath the outer leaf skin. If your pet chews through to that layer, digestive problems can follow.

Sago palm

This one deserves special attention. Southern Cross Pet Insurance says: “Sago isn’t actually a palm, but a cycad. Cycads can be lethally poisonous to dogs due to a toxin called cycasin, which causes abdominal pain, seizures, coma and liver failure. Over in Australia, the sago palm is one of the Animal Poisons Helpline’s most reported dog poisonings.”

The word “lethally” is doing real work in that quote. Of all the plants on this list, sago palm ranks among the most dangerous.

Snake plant

Another fixture in the “low-maintenance plant” conversation. Vet Radar says: “These houseplants are known for their low maintenance and air-purifying qualities, making them common choices for pet owners. However, they can still cause mild toxicity in dogs, resulting in symptoms like vomiting and drooling if ingested.”

The risk here is lower than with sago palm, but the popularity of snake plants means more pets encounter them.

Jade plant

Southern Cross Pet Insurance says, “Also known as a money plant because it’s said to enhance wealth, this cute succulent could end up costing you money. We don’t know what’s in jade plants that makes them so bad for cats and dogs. But they can cause vomiting, depression and incoordination if consumed.”

Devils ivy

Vet Radar warns, “These lush green houseplants are a favorite choice for indoor decoration. However, they hide a potentially harmful secret: calcium oxalate crystals. These microscopic crystals, when chewed or swallowed by dogs, can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing.”

Calcium oxalate crystals are needle-shaped at a microscopic level. When a pet bites into the plant, those crystals embed in mouth tissue, which explains why oral irritation and swallowing difficulty are the primary symptoms.

Lilies

According to Southern Cross Pet Insurance, “Peace lilies have recently surged in houseplant popularity thanks to their air-purifying qualities. While they may be practical and on-trend houseplants, it’s best to avoid them if you have pets, especially cats. All members of the lily family are highly toxic to cats and can cause organ failure. Be mindful if you’re gifted a bouquet with lilies, too.”

That last line is easy to overlook. The risk isn’t limited to potted plants; cut flowers in arrangements can carry the same danger.

Oleander

VCA Animal Hospital says, “Oleander, also known as Nerium, is more commonly found in outdoor gardens, but some gardeners bring them inside for the winter. These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm and neurologic signs.”

The cardiac glycoside component sets oleander apart from other plants on this list. Heart rhythm disruption puts it in a different risk category.

Chrysanthemum

While stunning, Chrysanthemums unfortunately carry several toxic components that can make your beloved pets severely sick if ingested, such as vomiting and incoordination. Luckily, symptoms will most likely be mild for most if your pet only eats a small amount.

Hyacinth

VCA Animal Hospital also warns pet owners about this spring blooming perennial. “The toxins in this spring-blooming perennial are concentrated in the roots and bulbs. Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth. Tulips also belong to the same plant family and can cause similar symptoms if the bulbs are ingested.”

That note about tulips is worth flagging. If you’re growing hyacinth or tulip bulbs indoors for spring blooms, keep them out of reach during the rooting phase when bulbs are most accessible.

How to spot plant poisoning in your pet

According to GuideDogs.com, symptoms of plant toxicity in dogs include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling or excessive salivation
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Pawing at the mouth or face (from irritation or burning)
• Trouble breathing or coughing
• Increased heart rate
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors, seizures, or uncoordinated movement
• Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat
• Skin irritation or rashes (from contact with certain plants)

They also note that. “Pawing at the mouth is a symptom that’s easy to miss or misinterpret. A pet chewing on devils ivy, for example, may paw at its face before any vomiting begins, which gives you an earlier signal to act on.”

What to do with this information

You don’t necessarily need to throw out every plant on this list. A snake plant on a high shelf that your cat never touches carries a different level of risk than a sago palm on the floor next to a puppy’s bed.

Start by checking what you already own against these nine plants. If you spot any, move them to spaces your pets genuinely cannot access, or swap them out entirely.

If your pet does ingest any of these plants, contact your veterinarian with the plant name and an estimate of how much was consumed. Speed matters, especially with sago palm, oleander, and lilies.

This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.