Toxic Houseplants To Pets Botanico Collective

You’ve made yourself aware with the best pet friendly houseplants, but now it is time to understand what plants are not so safe for your pets. Below are toxic houseplants to your pets.

For the most part, even if you do have these plants in your home, your pets are more than likely safe. However, if your cat mistakes little succulents for air hockey pucks, then maybe it’s time to find a new home for your houseplants. Some of these plants do cause some serious effects if consumed by your pet. We definitely do not want that to happen! Most of these plants we do have in our home. For reference, we do have two dogs and neither of them have ever gotten into our plants.

1. ZZ Plant

As I am sure you are aware, the ZZ Plant is a very common houseplant amongst the plant community.

It is virtually impossible to kill.

For you brown thumbs out there, this may be the perfect plant for you! It can take low light and minimal watering, yet still look stunning placed upon a shelf in your home.

We have our ZZ Plant placed in a corner on our kitchen counter. It gets all the attention it needs while still being far enough away from the dogs. The tall, lengthy stems, along with the somewhat oval shaped leaves, really make this plant unique amongst other houseplants. With time, he can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide! We do not have to worry about repotting him anytime soon because ZZ Plants are very slow growers. Place him on your bedside table while you catch some ZZ’s- he is a great air purifying plant!

Also, I would not recommend eating the ZZ Plant as they are considered toxic houseplants to pets and to humans.

Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Light: Minimal indirect light to shade (it’s not too picky).
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
Toxicity: With direct contact, it can cause eye and skin irritation. With ingestion, it can cause stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea.

2. Monstera Deliciosa

An iconic houseplant, the Monstera Deliciosa is every plant lover’s dream! You may better know this plant as Swiss Cheese Plant, Split Leaf Philodendron, or Mexican Breadfruit. Whichever way you want to call it, it’s an easy to grow houseplant that looks great with any interior styles.

Recognizable by its large, glossy split leaves, this Monstera is truly a monster. It’s native in the tropics, so in its natural habitat it can grow up to 30 feet tall. The large leaves can even get to 3 feet wide! When grown indoors, it will quite reach that size. But with luck, you can definitely see heights up to 10 feet! I would recommend staking your plant at a young age to train it to grow tall versus wide.

I found our Monstera at a local Home Depot. He was sitting outside by himself in the cold, pouring rain.

From one look of him, I knew I had to bring him home.

Ever since, he has been shooting out new leaves like crazy! He also has grown a few inches. For being a plant that does not prefer a lot of light, be sure to give it some light. Otherwise the leaves will not split like you want them to. Too much light can cause leaves to burn! Beware.

Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
Light: Moderate indirect light to part shade.
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature but higher humidity. Try misting 1-2 times per week.
Toxicity: With ingestion, this plant can cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth area, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. (I guess not so delicious).

3. Dwarf Umbrella Tree

The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is overall an easy to care for, low maintenance houseplant. While some varieties grow very tall, the dwarf version can reach a height of 4 feet. Like our ZZ Plant, our Dwarf Tree is just a baby. We have several years before it reaches that height. If you are impatient and looking for a statement floor plant, visit a local nursery and look for a mature Umbrella Tree. If you choose to purchase one and display it on your floor, be aware that this plant is mildly toxic to dogs and cats.

Because ours is so tiny, we have ours displayed on a shelf a few feet away from a south facing window.

No chance of our pets getting to it there!

The dwarf umbrella tree can also be toxic to humans if ingested. So please, do not eat the leaves. Serious reactions can include numbness, tingling and disorientation.

Botanical Name: Schefflera arboricola
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
Toxicity: With ingestion, it can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

4. Snake Plant

Another very popular houseplant is the well known Snake Plant. There are so many variations in this family of plants. We actually have two in our home. One, is quite smaller and is displayed as a center piece on our kitchen table. Our other snake plant, shown above, is displayed next to our TV stand. We got him a lifted planter pot to not only give him a bit more height, but to also keep our dogs away. It’s not exactly tall enough to deter Theo since he is so tall, but at least he is smart enough not to dig his way to China through our snake plant.

Snake plants are another great houseplant for beginners.

They are not picky when it comes to light. Water and a bit of fertilizer should make them very happy. This is another plant that is a slow grower. It may take a couple of years before he outgrows his pot.

Botanical Name: Sansevieria laurentii
Light: Bright indirect light to part shade. (Not too picky).
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: They like moisture. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature and humidity.
Toxicity: With ingestion, it can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

5. Dracaena

We bought this guy pictured above on a whim. Sometimes we wonder if it was an impulse buy or not. I think not. He is very neat to say the least. Another common name for this plant is a Dragon Tree. The foliage is unique, with stiff leaves edged with red markings. When grown as an indoor plant, he can reach a height of 6 feet.

Honestly, he does not get too much attention, but that is only because he is very low maintenance. It can tolerate bright, indirect light, but also will do just fine if shaded. The only thing you would be risking is the intensity of green in its leaves. When we first brought him home, we had to nurse him back to life a bit.

His leaves were sad and droopy.

But with a little TLC, he began to show some growth and ever since, he has been doing just fine. We have him placed in our loft between a West and South window.

Please keep in mind, if you do have a cat, the toxicity levels are more severe. Dracaena are toxic houseplants to pets.

Botanical Name: Dracaena marginata
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: Water enough but infrequently. Allow soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
Temperature: Warmer temperatures and average humidity.
Toxicity: With ingestion, vomiting can occur as well as depression, anorexia, hypersalivation and dilated pupils.

6. Golden Pothos

We love our Golden Pothos. I picked this guy up at our local Home Depot as well. Most of our plants have come from Home Depot. They have a really nice collection and are always getting new plants in weekly! At the time, I wanted to place him in our bedroom above our bed. I was hoping he would be a quick grower and his vine would hang down nicely. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

He is a grower, but not in the way I was expecting him to be. Our Golden is growing more bushy, with several new leaves sprouting weekly. I am hoping with a little more time, I will start to see some more length on his vines.

Our Golden also has a lot of variegation.

The many colors and markings on his leaves really make him unique and beautiful. To learn more about variegation, visit 5 Variegated Houseplants You Need. My husband often brings it in the bathroom while he showers, as Goldens prefer high humidity! You can always mist the leaves to increase humidity as well.

Check out this perfect plant pot! It comes with a stand too for added height!

Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
Light: Moderate indirect light to part shade. (Not picky.)
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature but high humidity.
Toxicity: With ingestion, it can cause oral irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips.

7. String of Hearts

There is so much I can say about this beauty right here. This was the second plant we brought into our home and I can easily say it is my favorite. I have her hanging right above me as I sleep. When we first got our String of Hearts, she was maybe a foot long. Now, about 6 months later, she has grown at least 2 feet!

In the beginning, we had her hanging right next to a West facing window. She did not enjoy it. She would not sprout any new leaves and did not show any growth. It was not until we got her a new pot and a new home until she finally began to show us some growth! We now have her placed above our bed a few feet away from a West facing window. We have even started a propagation on her to add another one of my favorite plants around the house.

Botanical Name: Ceropegia woodii
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix.
Water: Allow soil to dry out before watering and then give it a good drink.
Temperature: Average temperature and low humidity. Likes dry air.
Toxicity: With ingestion, it can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

8. String of Dolphins

The String of Dolphins is very similar to the String of Hearts in terms of care and maintenance. What I have noticed recently, is that the String of Dolphins prefers to be as close to a West facing window as possible. I tested this theory when I moved him to a low light shelf in our kitchen for a few weeks. He resisted and did not grow. I even noticed a few ‘dolphins’ start to brown. Without changing any other conditions, I moved him back to my kitchen windowsill and, voila! He began to grow again!

He is currently out of control and jumping in every direction!

I have recommended ‘String Succulents’ to several friends and family members. It is seriously one of the easiest plants to care for. In the Winter, water it once every 3-4 weeks. In the Spring and Summer, you may want to water every 2 weeks or when the top soil has dried out. If you feel its leaves and they feel squishy- that is the plant telling you it is not thirsty. Wait until the leaves deflate a bit before watering. This squishy leaf method can also be used with a String of Hearts

Botanical Name: Senecio peregrinus
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix.
Water: Allow soil to dry out before watering and then give it a good drink.
Temperature: Average temperature and low humidity. Likes dry air.
Toxicity: With ingestion, it can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

9. Aloe

Several years ago, when I first dipped my toes into houseplants, I ended up buying an Aloe plant. I wanted to grow one in my home to use for medicinal and skincare purposes. As I am sure most of you are aware, Aloe provides many benefits. It thrived for quite some time while I owned it. It’s an overall easy plant to care for. However, when I relocated into my current home, the Aloe plant unfortunately did not survive the move.

It was tough to say goodbye.

Little did I know that this was at the top of the list for toxic houseplants to pets. It was not until recently that I had stumbled upon this knowledge. At my parent’s house, I had this plant in a terra cotta pot in my bedroom. My little Louie could have easily gotten into it!

I haven’t replaced my original Aloe, and I’m not sure I will. I have found several other plants that I love so much more. However, for anyone who is just starting their houseplant collection or are interested in its health benefits, the Aloe plant is a sure way to go. Please be aware of where you display your Aloe so that your pet does not get into it as they are considered toxic houseplants for pets.

Botanical Name: Aloe vera
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix.
Water: Allow soil to dry out before watering and then give it a good drink.
Temperature: Average temperature and low humidity.
Toxicity: This plant is toxic to both dogs and cats. With ingestion, it can cause vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea.

10. Peace Lily

Lastly, the Peace Lily is another very common houseplant. My grandmother informed me about the Peace Lily and even mentioned how my uncle had these all around his home. At first, I did not think anything of it. But with a little research, I soon found out that this plant is very toxic to animals. My uncle has several German Shepherds, but knowing him, he probably has them trained to a T.

This is a common floor plant has large, dark green leaves that often flower.

It is also a very easy plant to care for, so it is great for beginners.

Reaching up to 3 feet high, this can be easily displayed in a bedroom corner or next to a TV Stand. Just beware of your pets getting around them because they are considered very toxic houseplants.

Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
Light: Bright indirect light.
Soil: Well draining potting soil.
Water: Fairly easy to water. Allow soil to dry out before watering.
Temperature: Average temperature and high humidity.
Toxicity: Serious reactions can occur if your pet ingests a peace lily. Symptoms include oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

Toxic Houseplants To Pets

There are hundreds of other houseplants that can be harmful to your pet. Be sure to check out ASPCA.org for more information about which different houseplants are toxic to pets. For more information on houseplants that are safe for your pets, click here!

Leave a reply with any questions and/or concerns. I would love to hear from you! Be sure to follow me on social media with more updates about common houseplants, décor, beauty, and so much more!