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This directory exists 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.

Why plant toxicity data is harder to trust than it looks

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list is the most comprehensive publicly available resource in English for pet owners, and even that database has gaps, outdated botanical names, and entries that only cover cats and dogs — not horses.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 this directory follows: if a primary-source entry exists with a clear verdict, it is used. If it doesn't, the directory says so — it doesn't interpolate from genus to species, and it doesn'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 doesn't formally define non-toxic. Its plant list describes plants "listed as either non-toxic, or potentially toxic with mild GI upset" as ones whose symptoms "are not expected to be life-threatening to your pets." 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. Those cases are flagged 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 is filed at the genus level (Calathea spp.) and doesn't say which species were evaluated — including the plants now sold as Goeppertia. The directory notes 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. The ASPCA says the line is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and 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. Where a popular houseplant has no ASPCA standalone entry, the directory uses 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. The citation next to each plant name links to whichever source was used. 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. This directory uses the scientific name that matches the ASPCA entry for consistency, and notes 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 the site has a full species guide

The directory is sorted alphabetically by common name. The disclaimer banner and emergency number repeat before the list so that no one misses them.

Pet emergency? Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee may apply) or contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait for symptoms.

Showing 35 plants classified non-toxic to cats and dogs. Sorted alphabetically.

Plants where toxicity is not established in primary sources

Treat all plants in this list as potentially toxic. Keep them out of reach of pets and children until you can confirm with a veterinarian or the ASPCA.

These 9 plants appear in the database but have no standalone ASPCA classification and no clear secondary-source verdict. The absence of a toxicity listing is not evidence of safety.

Verified 2026-05-28 — 35 plants listed. Database version 1.1.

Sources: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Database (primary); NC State Plant Toolbox (fallback); University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Poisonous Plant Booklet (fallback); Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (fallback).

This directory is general reference information, not veterinary advice. See our full disclaimer for details.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. The page title uses the familiar phrase "pet-safe," but the directory itself labels plants with the narrower ASPCA term, "non-toxic," or as "unknown" where no source gives a verdict. 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 — the database record is updated and re-verified. The database version is also shown in the footer. If you spot a discrepancy between this directory and the current ASPCA page, send an email with the plant name so the entry can be checked.

Sources

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