Pet-Safe Plant Directory: 32 ASPCA-cited Houseplants

I keep this directory because the alternative — Googling "is [plant] toxic to cats" and landing on a content farm with no citations — carries real risk. This page cites primary sources for every plant, flags where data is absent, and tells you exactly what "non-toxic" does and doesn't mean before you bring a plant home.

Disclosure: I buy what I recommend and test it personally. Amazon links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it does not affect picks. See the full affiliate disclosure.

Why plant toxicity data is harder to trust than it looks

I've spent more time than I expected building the database behind this directory. The ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list is the most comprehensive publicly available resource in English for pet owners, and even that database has gaps, outdated botanical names, and entries that only cover cats and dogs — not horses. Secondary sources contradict each other with some regularity. A plant that's listed as "safe" on one gardening site will appear as "mildly toxic" on another, with neither citing anything.

The rule I follow: if a primary-source entry exists with a clear verdict, I use it. If it doesn't, I say so — I don't interpolate from genus to species, and I don't treat absence of a toxicity listing as confirmation of safety. That's what the "unknown" section at the bottom of this directory is for.

What "non-toxic" actually means — and what it doesn't

The ASPCA defines non-toxic as a plant that has not been associated with serious systemic toxicity in cats, dogs, or horses in their database. That's a precise and limited claim. Here's what it does not mean:

It doesn't mean the plant is edible or harmless. Any plant material can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal upset in a pet that consumes enough of it. Mechanical irritation from fibrous leaves, choking hazards from small fruits or seeds, and individual animal sensitivities are all real risks that "non-toxic" doesn't address.

It doesn't mean horses are covered. Many ASPCA plant entries are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs but carry "not listed" for horses. I've flagged those cases in the toxicity badges below. If you have horses, confirm each plant against equine-specific resources.

It doesn't mean all plants in a genus are covered. The ASPCA entry for Calathea covers Calathea zebrina specifically. Other Calathea species — including the hybrids now sold as Goeppertia — may or may not have been evaluated. I've noted where the entry applies to a species rather than an entire genus.

It doesn't replace a call to your vet. If your pet eats any plant and shows symptoms — vomiting, drooling, lethargy, tremors, swelling around the mouth — call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian immediately. That number is 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.

How the ASPCA methodology works

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiles its plant database from cases reported to the center, published veterinary toxicology literature, and expert review. Entries are updated when new evidence emerges. The database does not claim to be exhaustive — plants without entries haven't necessarily been tested; they simply haven't generated enough case reports or peer-reviewed research to earn a listing.

That matters for this directory. When I searched for popular houseplants and found no ASPCA standalone entry, I used three fallback sources in priority order: NC State University Extension's Plant Toolbox, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine's poisonous plant booklet, and Missouri Botanical Garden's Plant Finder. I link to whichever source I used in the citation next to each plant name. Where none of those sources established a toxicity verdict either, the plant goes in the "not classified" section below.

A word on nomenclature

Botanical names are a moving target. The ASPCA's Saintpaulia ionantha entry for African Violet now coexists with a newer classification under Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia — both names refer to the same plant sold in every grocery store. I've used the scientific name that matches the ASPCA entry for consistency, and noted discrepancies in the database records. If you're searching the ASPCA site for a plant by name and coming up empty, try the genus alone or check under common name variants — their search function is inconsistent.

Using this directory

Each card below shows:

• Common name linked to the ASPCA entry or primary source
• Italic scientific name and family
• Toxicity badges for cats, dogs, and horses (green ✓ non-toxic, amber — not listed, grey ? unknown)
• A "Care guide →" link where I've written a full species guide

The directory is sorted alphabetically by common name. The disclaimer banner and emergency number repeat before the list — I'd rather repeat myself than have someone miss them.

Showing 32 plants classified non-toxic to cats and dogs. Sorted alphabetically.

Frequently asked questions

Is "non-toxic" the same as "pet-safe"?

No, and I intentionally avoid the phrase "pet-safe" in this directory. The ASPCA classification of non-toxic means a plant hasn't been associated with serious systemic toxicity in veterinary literature. It doesn't account for mechanical hazards (choking, intestinal blockage from large amounts of plant material), individual animal sensitivities, or the possibility that the plant simply hasn't been tested. A Boston Fern classified as non-toxic can still cause vomiting if your cat eats a significant quantity of it. Classified non-toxic is more accurate and less falsely reassuring than "pet-safe."

My cat ate a plant listed as non-toxic. Should I still call a vet?

Yes, if your cat is showing any symptoms — vomiting, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite, or anything abnormal. "Non-toxic" is a population-level classification, not a guarantee about your specific animal. Some cats have sensitivities or allergies to plants that aren't flagged in the toxicity literature. When in doubt, call (888) 426-4435 (ASPCA Animal Poison Control) or your vet.

How often is this directory updated?

The underlying plant database is verified against primary sources and stamped with a verification date (shown in the footer below). When the ASPCA updates an entry — whether that's a reclassification, a name change, or a new finding — I update the database record and re-verify the date. The database version is also shown in the footer. If you spot a discrepancy between this directory and the current ASPCA page, email me with the plant name and I'll check it.

Sources

• ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database — primary source for all ASPCA-listed plants
• NC State University Extension Plant Toolbox — fallback source for plants without ASPCA entries
• University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine — Poisonous Plants — fallback for veterinary toxicology reference
• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — fallback for botanical identification and notes
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435, 24/7
• Pet Poison Helpline — (855) 764-7661, 24/7 (consultation fee applies)

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