13 Plants Everyone Loves But Can Be Harmful to Your Pets

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While bringing life and beauty to a home, plants can also be dangerous if you share your space with pets. You probably know that cats and dogs are notorious for nibbling on leaves or flowers, and even the smallest taste of the wrong plant can send you on an unplanned visit to the vet. The culprits? They are some of the most popular houseplants and garden greenery.

What we love about these plants is that they are elegant, low maintenance, and they bring cheer to a space. Many of them, however, come with a dark side that pet owners should know about. From the toxins found in their leaves to the effects of their pollen, these plants can turn a sniff into something a lot worse.

Peace Lily

Peace lily is a favorite due to its graceful white blooms and air purifying qualities. Did you know that it’s a nightmare for your pet’s health? When a dog or cat chews on a peace lily, it can cause severe drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. These reactions are caused by insoluble calcium oxalates, tiny needle like crystals in the plant. Though the peace lily may seem serene, it’s the opposite for the curious pet.

Sago Palm

Sago palm is a classic tropical accent but one of the most toxic plants to pets. Cycasin, a toxin causing liver failure, is found in every part of this plant, but especially in the seeds. Even a small nibble can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially fatal problems if it’s not treated quickly, according to PetMD.

Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera is a healing plant for humans, but bad news for pets. Latex from its leaves contains saponins and anthraquinones compounds that can cause vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea in dogs and cats. Aloe is a great go to for sun burn, but keep it out of the hands of furry friends.

Pothos

Instagram loves trailing vines and easy care plants, and pothos, or devil’s ivy, is a fan favorite. Its beauty, however, conceals a dangerous secret. This plant irritates your pet’s mouth and throat if ingested and can cause excessive drooling and even difficulty breathing. These vines are best hung way out of reach.

Oleander

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Garden staple, oleander, is a cheerful flower with bright blooms. This plant is a deadly foe for pets, though. Just a little bit of oleander can cause severe vomiting, slow heart rate, and even cause death. Since its toxicity is so well known, gardeners are often advised to handle it with care and gloves.

Tulips

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What’s there not to love about a vase of fresh tulips? Your pets, unfortunately, shouldn’t. If eaten, tulip bulbs contain toxins that make pets feel sad, cause depression, and irregular heartbeat. If you have tulips in your yard, fence them off so no digging mishaps occur.

Snake Plant

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Although the snake plant is often called indestructible, it has a hidden flaw for pet owners. Saponins, found in it, may cause nausea and vomiting if consumed. It may thrive in your low light corners, but it’s a plant you do not want to see in your pet’s diet.

Lilies

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Lilies are adored for their beautiful blooms, and while they are, they are very poisonous to cats. Just a little bit—licking pollen off their fur, for instance—can cause kidney failure. Lilies should not be in any home with cats, the ASPCA advises strongly. This plant is beauty and no forgiveness.

Philodendron

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Adored for lush green leaves that bring coziness to any room, philodendrons are a favorite. However, they’re anything but friendly for pets. Like the peace lily, philodendrons contain insoluble calcium oxalates and may cause mouth irritation, excessive drooling and difficulty swallowing.

Azaleas

Azaleas are famous for their striking colourful blossoms and for making any garden a brighter place. However, they contain grayanotoxins which can interfere with your pet’s cardiovascular system. Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms, and in serious cases, heart rate drops or even coma.

English Ivy

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English ivy is classic climbing beauty, often seen cascading from hanging baskets. However, the leaves are saponin containing which can cause abdominal pain, drooling, and vomiting in pets. If you can’t stop yourself from loving it, put it far away from curious paws.

Caladium

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Caladium is known for its heart shaped, colorful leaves, and it’s a favorite for adding flair to indoor spaces. Unfortunately, its oxalate crystals cause severe pain and swelling of a pet’s mouth and throat, so this is another no go for homes with pets.

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, is an eye catching plant that brings drama into any room. If your pet takes a bite, however, they could experience severe mouth irritation and drooling, as well as, in extreme cases, vocal cord paralysis. It’s a plant you best admire from afar.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.