Seven House Plants that Are Poisonous to Cats

Melanie L. Marten
When you introduce house plants into your home, you must research them carefully. Many house plants, though beautiful to look at, are poisonous to cats, dogs, and even people. There are over one-hundred different house plants that are poisonous to cats, but this article covers only seven of the most commonly grown.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a very popular house plant that is usually purchased as a bulb of a kit. It grows long leaves that are evergreen in many areas. Above that, a sturdy plant stem rises. Finally, a large cluster of flowers in bright red, pink, or white burst into bloom at the top. This house plant is very poisonous to cats.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Asparagus Ferns

This house plant that is poisonous to cats is popular in hanging baskets or large pots on shelves. The lacy green fern fronds hang down as they grow, enticing cats to play with and sample them. While this house plant is in the same family as the asparagus that we eat, it is poisonous to cats and other animals.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Caladium

Caladium is a large leaved house plant that is often grown outside in temperate climates. The plant comes from a bulb and has very large leaves in green, pink, red, and white. This house plant is poisonous to cats and other animals.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Crotons

There are multiple varieties of crotons that are grown in the home. They are kept mostly for their multi-colored leaves. This plant is fast growing and has stiff waxy leaves. Unfortunately, it is a house plant that is poisonous to cats.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is also called Dumb Cane, so named for its milky sap, which causes the tongue, and inside of the mouth to swell up, rendering the eater 'dumb.' This is a tall house plant with large green and white leaves. It is poisonous to cats and injurious to humans as well.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Peace Lilies

Peace lilies are large plants with glossy green leaves and tropical looking flowers on thin stalks. It is pretty easy to grow and makes a great specimen plant. Unfortunately, ever part of this house plant is poisonous to cats.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Philodendron

One of the most widely grown house plants in the world, philodendron is a large jungle vine with attractive leaves. It climbs on trellises and up walls readily. This house plant is poisonous to cats and injurious to other animals.

House Plants Poisonous to Cats - Rubber Plant

The rubber plant is part of the ficus family. It is a large, glossy-leaved tree that grows easily in a large pot. They can grow up to six feet tall indoors with minimal care. The rubber plant, and other varieties of ficus house plants, are poisonous to cats.

Published by Melanie L. Marten

Melanie Marten is self-taught and self-employed. Besides freelance writing, she dabbles in website design and owns dozens of websites and blogs. Work is squeezed in between parenting two boys, homeschoolin...   View profile

  • There are over one-hundred different house plants that are poisonous to cats.

4 Comments

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  • Pat Kiefer 2/5/2012

    we need to know to what degree is it poisonous? does it just get them sick or is it deadly?

  • Jeff 1/30/2011

    This article wasn't helpful to me at all. Sure, it's nice to list them as poisonous, but what we really need is information about the symptoms, average time before symptoms occur, and the degree of toxicity. For example, my two cats have shredded the long leaves of my Amarylis. I'm sure they've ingested a small amount. They've never exhibited any symptoms. To be useful, this articles needs to list just how much, on average, must be eaten before symptoms occur, what symptoms to expect, and the average amount of time before symptoms occur. Please research and update this article.

  • imlyn 10/8/2010

    very helpful article. jasper has a thing for eating the asparagus fern and i was concerned.
    thank you.

  • tulie 10/13/2009

    was not helpful i did not see anything on topic.

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