Houseplants Toxic to Dogs: 12 Common Ones and What to Do

Quick answer: Yes, a lot of common houseplants are toxic to dogs, from mild mouth irritation (pothos, monstera, snake plant) to genuinely dangerous, like sago palm and lily of the valley. The safest move with any new plant is to check it before it goes on the shelf your dog can reach. Not sure what you're holding? You can check a photo for free with Plant Doctor.

I'm Apollo. I don't chew houseplants myself, I'm more of a "knock it off the shelf and see what happens" dog, but plenty of dogs go straight for the leaves. Most houseplant run-ins end in drooling and an upset stomach. A few end in an emergency vet visit. Knowing which is which matters, so here are 12 common houseplants dogs should stay away from, in plain language, based on ASPCA toxicity classifications.

12 houseplants toxic to dogs

1. Is Sago Palm Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, and it's one of the most dangerous common houseplants in any home. Every part of a sago palm is toxic, and the seeds are the most concentrated. Ingestion can cause vomiting and liver failure, and it can be fatal. Treat any bite of sago palm as an emergency vet visit, don't wait to see if symptoms show up.

2. Is Lily of the Valley Toxic to Dogs?

Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides, compounds that affect heart rhythm. Symptoms can include vomiting, an abnormal heartbeat, and seizures. This is another emergency-vet-visit plant, not a wait-and-watch one.

3. Is Autumn Crocus Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. Autumn crocus contains colchicine, which causes severe gastrointestinal signs and can damage multiple organs. It's often confused with the milder true (spring) crocus, so if you're not sure which one is in your yard or planter, assume the more dangerous one and call your vet.

4. Is Oleander Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, seriously so. Every part of oleander, including dried leaves, contains cardiac glycosides that can be fatal. Even a single leaf is worth an emergency call to your vet.

5. Is Dumb Cane Toxic to Dogs?

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) is loaded with insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing it causes intense oral burning, drooling, and vomiting, and a large enough bite can cause swelling that affects breathing. Not usually life-threatening, but it's miserable, and worth a vet call if swelling shows up.

6. Is Peace Lily Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, though it's worth knowing the peace lily isn't a true lily. It has the same calcium oxalate crystals as dumb cane: oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. Unpleasant, but not the acute-kidney-failure risk true lilies pose (that one's mainly a cat danger, more on that below).

7. Is Pothos Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. Pothos (also sold as Devil's Ivy or Golden Pothos) causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing if chewed. It's rarely life-threatening but genuinely unpleasant for your dog.

8. Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, same story as pothos. Monstera (Swiss cheese plant) has insoluble calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and throat, causing drooling and vomiting.

9. Is Aloe Vera Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, this one surprises people. The gel and latex layer of aloe vera contains saponins and anthraquinones, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and a change in urine color if a dog chews the plant. It's usually mild to moderate, but it's not the harmless plant its reputation suggests.

10. Is Snake Plant Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. Snake plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue) contains saponins that cause mild to moderate vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.

11. Is ZZ Plant Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. ZZ plant has calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and cause drooling and vomiting. The sap can also irritate skin, so handle a damaged ZZ plant with gloves.

12. Is Jade Plant Toxic to Dogs?

Yes, mildly. The exact toxic compound in jade plant isn't fully known, but it can cause vomiting, wobbliness, and occasionally a slowed heart rate in dogs. Usually mild, but worth a call to your vet.

If you think your dog ate something toxic

Not sure what's on your windowsill?

A lot of these plants look similar, and "probably fine" isn't good enough when your dog's health is on the line. Plant Doctor lets you snap a photo of any houseplant and get a straight answer on whether it's safe around dogs and cats. It's free, no account needed.

If your dog does have a scare like this, some dogs stay rattled for a few days afterward. A calming aid such as Hemp Calming Chews can take the edge off while everyone settles back down, though it's not a substitute for the vet visit itself.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common signs of plant poisoning in dogs?

Drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy are the most common signs. More serious cases can involve an abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, or collapse. Any of the serious signs mean an emergency vet visit, not a wait-and-see approach.

Is aloe vera really toxic to dogs?

Yes. The gel and latex layer of the aloe plant contains saponins and anthraquinones that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in dogs if chewed. It's usually mild to moderate, but it's still worth keeping out of reach.

What should I do if my dog eats a houseplant?

Identify the plant if you can, note how much was eaten, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Don't induce vomiting unless you're told to.

Are pothos and monstera really that dangerous?

They're common but rarely life-threatening. Both contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting on chewing. Uncomfortable for your dog, but usually not an emergency unless swelling or breathing trouble develops.

Keep your corner calm, and keep the sago palm on a high shelf.