If you have houseplants and a dog sharing the same home, it's worth knowing which plants are actually safe to have around. Some of the most common houseplants, pothos, philodendron, and snake plant among them, aren't fully dog-safe, even though they're some of the most widely sold plants out there.
Here's a rundown of the common ones, grouped by how big a deal they actually are, plus what to do if your dog gets into one. We're plant people first, so think of this as a helpful starting point rather than the final word. If you're genuinely worried about your dog right now, a vet or animal poison control is always the better call than a blog post.
TL;DR: Houseplants That are Toxic to Dogs
Some of the most popular houseplants, pothos, philodendron, sago palm, and a few others, aren't dog-safe, and how much that matters really depends on the plant. Most just mean a little drooling. A few are worth being more careful with. The ASPCA keeps a full searchable list if you want to check something that isn't covered below.
A Note From Soltech About Toxic Houseplants: Always Check with A Vet
Before we get into it: we're plant people, not veterinarians. This list is meant to give you a general sense of what's worth watching for, not to replace an actual vet or poison control line if your dog has already eaten something. If that's where you're at right now, skip down to the "What To Do If Your Dog Eats a Toxic Houseplant" section and give them a call first.
Common Houseplants That Aren't Dog-Safe
The Ones You Probably Already Have
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Pothos (Devil's Ivy): one of the most common houseplants around, and also one of the most common ones dogs get into. Usually just some drooling and mouth irritation, but still worth keeping out of reach. If you're not sure whether what you have is pothos or philodendron, our Pothos vs. Philodendron guide can help sort it out.
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Philodendron: closely related to pothos, and the reaction is similar: some mouth irritation rather than anything serious.
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Snake Plant: on the milder end. Can cause an upset stomach if your dog eats enough of it, but it's not typically a big scare.
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ZZ Plant: looks tough because it survives neglect, but it can still cause some stomach upset if chewed on.
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Monstera: part of the same plant family as pothos and philodendron, so it comes with the same mild mouth irritation risk.
The Ones Worth Knowing About
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Sago Palm: this one's a bit different from the rest of the list. It's more serious than a typical upset stomach, so it's best kept out of the house entirely if you have a dog around.
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True Lilies (Asiatic lilies, Tiger lilies, Trumpet Lilies, etc.): more of a cat problem than a dog problem (they're genuinely dangerous for cats), but still worth keeping away from a curious dog.
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Aloe Vera: great for sunburns, not great for dogs. Usually just causes an upset stomach if eaten.
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Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane): true to its nickname, chewing on this one can cause some burning and swelling in the mouth. Uncomfortable more than dangerous, but still worth keeping out of reach.
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Peace Lily: not actually a true lily, and the risk is closer to pothos: mild irritation rather than anything severe.
Less Common, But Worth Flagging
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Dracaena: usually mild, but eating a lot of it can cause some wobbliness or weakness.
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Jade Plant: typically just an upset stomach.
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English Ivy: can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, and other internal and external irritation.
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Kalanchoe: in large amounts it can affect heart rhythm, though most cases are milder than that, more of an upset stomach.
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Asparagus Fern: generally mild. Mostly an upset stomach, or skin irritation with repeated contact.
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Chinese Evergreen: mild mouth irritation, similar to pothos.
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Calla Lily: also mild irritation, despite the name it isn't a true lily either.
Quick Reference Table: Common Houseplants Toxic to Dogs
| Plant | Scientific Name | How Big a Deal It Is | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos (Devil's Ivy) | Epipremnum aureum | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
| Philodendron | Philodendron hederaceum | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
| Snake Plant | Dracaena trifasciata | Mild | Upset stomach |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Mild | Upset stomach |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
| Sago Palm | Cycas revoluta | More serious | Vomiting, possible liver effects |
| True Lilies | Lilium spp. | Mild for dogs, more serious for cats | Upset stomach in dogs |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe barbadensis | Mild | Upset stomach |
| Dieffenbachia | Dieffenbachia seguine | Mild to moderate | Mouth burning, swelling |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum wallisii | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
| Dracaena | Dracaena marginata | Mild to moderate | Upset stomach, wobbliness in larger amounts |
| Jade Plant | Crassula ovata | Mild | Upset stomach |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | Mild | Upset stomach |
| Kalanchoe | Kalanchoe blossfeldiana | Mild to moderate | Upset stomach, rarely heart rhythm changes |
| Asparagus Fern | Asparagus setaceus | Mild | Upset stomach, skin irritation |
| Chinese Evergreen | Aglaonema commutatum | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
| Calla Lily | Zantedeschia aethiopica | Mild | Drooling, mouth irritation |
What To Do If Your Dog Eats a Toxic Houseplant
Try not to panic, most cases turn out fine. Take a look at what's left of the plant so you know roughly what you're dealing with, then call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Skip the home remedies until someone with actual training tells you it's a good idea. And if anything seems off, like trouble breathing or unusual lethargy, it's always worth checking in with a vet rather than waiting to see how it goes.
Building a Collection You Don't Have to Worry About
You don't have to memorize this list or give up on plants you love. If you'd rather start from a place where everything is already dog-safe, our guides to 15 Pet Safe Houseplants for Homes With Cats and Dogs is a good place to browse. And if your dog is more of a chewer than most, A Dog's Best Friend: Your Guide to Safe, Low-Maintenance Houseplants is built specifically around that.
You can also browse Soltech's full pet-friendly plant guide to filter by what's safe before you buy anything new.
The Bottom Line
You don't need to get rid of your plants because you have a dog. It's really just about knowing which ones to keep up high or skip altogether.
And if something does happen, a quick call to your vet or animal poison control beats guessing every time.
