Are Ferns Toxic to Cats and Dogs? It Depends on the Fern

It depends on the plant. The ASPCA lists the Boston fern and several other ferns as non-toxic to dogs and cats, but it lists the asparagus fern as toxic to both. Asparagus fern is "not a fern at all," per NC State Extension. If your pet chewed a fern and you are not sure which one, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For growing one, see the Boston fern care guide and Boston fern vs. maidenhair fern.

Which ferns are toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists plants entry by entry, often under a name you might not expect. These are some of its entries for plants sold as ferns, with scientific names spelled as each entry gives them.

• Lemon button fern is an additional common name on the Duffii Fern entry. NC State lists both 'Duffii' and 'Lemon Button Fern' as cultivars of Nephrolepis cordifolia (NC State).
• Button fern is an additional common name on the Cliff Brake entry.
• Fern palm: the ASPCA's Fern Palm entry gives its family as Cycadaceae and its other names as sago palm and cycads, and its listed signs include "liver failure, death."

What happens if a cat or dog eats a fern

For asparagus fern, the ASPCA's Asparagus Fern entry lists these clinical signs: "Allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea)." It names no toxic principle, and the Emerald Feather entry gives it as "Unknown." NC State's Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri Group page lists the fruits, leaves, roots and stems under "Poison Part" and rates the poison severity "Low."

The ferns the ASPCA lists as non-toxic have no toxic principles or clinical signs on their entries. Non-toxic is not the same as harmless to eat: the ASPCA's plant list warns that "the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats."

What to do if your pet ate some

Call your veterinarian, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: "If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435." The ASPCA says, "We are available 24/7, 365 days a year," and notes, "A consultation fee may apply."

Have the plant's name ready, ideally the botanical name from the plant tag. With ferns this matters, because the same common name can point to a non-toxic fern or a toxic Asparagus. Then follow the instructions you are given.

Asparagus fern and foxtail fern are not true ferns

NC State says "Asparagus Fern is an erect, perennial herb but not a fern at all and is in the Asparagaceae family" (NC State). Its page on Asparagus setaceus, a species it also calls plumosa fern and lace fern, says "The asparagus ferns are not ferns at all" and tags that species as a problem for cats and dogs, with sapogenins as the toxic principle (NC State). The ASPCA's Plumosa Fern and Lace Fern entries, by contrast, give the scientific name as Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri.

No ASPCA entry is named foxtail fern. The ASPCA's Foxtail entry is a different plant, Acalypha hispida (also called chenille), listed as toxic. NC State's Sprengeri Group page lists the cultivar 'Meyersii', with a "fox-tail" or "bottle-brush" appearance, and tags the plant as a problem for cats and dogs. The ASPCA's Emerald Feather entry lists Asparagus densiflorus at species level as toxic to dogs and cats.

Bird's nest fern and maidenhair fern

No ASPCA entry was found under Bird's Nest Fern, Nest Fern or Asplenium nidus; the ASPCA's Mother Fern entry is Asplenium bulbiferum, a different species, listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats. Nor was one found under Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern or Adiantum. NC State's pages for Asplenium nidus and Adiantum give no toxicity information either. With no listing, don't assume either way; if one is eaten, call your veterinarian or the poison control center.

Keeping ferns in a home with pets

• Keep the plant tag. The botanical name tells you which ASPCA entry applies.
• Place it out of reach. A hanging basket or high shelf works better than a floor spot, though a cat that climbs may still get to it.
• Pick up asparagus fern berries. NC State lists the fruits among the poison parts, and the ASPCA links berry ingestion to gastric upset.
• Don't count on deterrents. No placement or spray guarantees a pet will leave a plant alone.

Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic

With the same caveat about stomach upset, these houseplants have ASPCA entries listing them as non-toxic to dogs and cats:

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): ASPCA entry. Care: spider plant care.
• Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): ASPCA entry. Care: parlor palm care.
• Calathea: the ASPCA entry is genus-level ("Calathea spp."). Care: Calathea orbifolia care.
• African violet (Saintpaulia spp.): ASPCA entry.

For more, see plants safe for cats, plants safe for dogs and the toxic plant directory.

Frequently asked

Sources: ASPCA: Boston Fern, ASPCA: Asparagus Fern, ASPCA: Plumosa Fern, ASPCA: Lace Fern, ASPCA: Sprengeri Fern, ASPCA: Emerald Feather, ASPCA: Sword Fern, ASPCA: Duffii Fern, ASPCA: Cliff Brake, ASPCA: Common Staghorn Fern, ASPCA: Rabbits Foot Fern, ASPCA: Fern Palm, ASPCA: Foxtail, ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, ASPCA: Spider Plant, ASPCA: Parlor Palm, ASPCA: Calathea, ASPCA: African Violet, NC State Extension: Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri Group, NC State Extension: Asparagus setaceus, NC State Extension: Nephrolepis cordifolia, NC State Extension: Asplenium nidus, NC State Extension: Adiantum, ASPCA: Mother Fern