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By Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Certified pet nutritionist in Singapore
QUICK ANSWER
Plants can make a home feel alive, and some even help clean the air. But many popular houseplants are toxic to dogs and cats, including several that are very common in Singapore homes, like the money plant (pothos), peace lily and monstera. Choose pet-safe plants, and keep toxic ones well out of reach.
Plants aren't my speciality, so the lists in this article follow the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database, the reference many vets use. If you're unsure about a plant, look it up there before bringing it home.
Pet-safe plants that also clean the air
These plants appear in NASA's Clean Air Study, which looked at plants that help filter common indoor air pollutants.
Areca palm
Helps filter xylene and formaldehyde, and adds humidity to the air.
Parlour palm
Easy to care for and happy indoors.
Baby rubber plant
Safe, but not all "rubber plants" are. The jade plant (sometimes called the Chinese or Japanese rubber plant) and the Indian rubber plant are toxic.
Boston fern
Safe, as are the maidenhair, bird's nest and staghorn ferns. The asparagus fern is not.
Spider plant
Helps filter formaldehyde and xylene.
Gerbera daisy
A cheerful flowering option.
Other pet-safe houseplants
✓ African violet
✓ Prayer plant
✓ Cast iron plant
✓ Haworthia
✓ Friendship plant
✓ Money tree (Pachira aquatica, with the braided trunk): non-toxic, and helps filter benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Eating it can still cause a mild tummy upset.
Money tree vs money plant
These two get mixed up all the time. The money tree above is safe. What most people in Singapore call a money plant is actually pothos (Epipremnum aureum), the trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves, and it is toxic to pets. There's also the jade plant, sometimes called a money plant too, which is also toxic. If yours is pothos, keep it somewhere your pet can't reach.
Common Singapore houseplants to keep away from pets
Money plant (pothos)
Contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, causing drooling, pawing at the mouth and vomiting.
Peace lily
Also contains calcium oxalate crystals, with the same mouth irritation. It isn't a true lily.
Monstera
Calcium oxalate crystals again: mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
Snake plant
Contains saponins, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Aloe vera
The leaf contains saponins and anthraquinones, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. The clear inner gel is considered edible, which is why it appears in some pet products. The problem is a pet chewing the leaf.
Other toxic plants to avoid
Eating, or for some plants even touching, these can cause anything from vomiting and diarrhoea to seizures, difficulty breathing and organ failure:
✓ Lilies (true lilies and daylilies): especially dangerous for cats. Even a small amount, including pollen or vase water, can cause kidney failure.
✓ Sago palm: very dangerous for dogs, and common in Singapore landscaping. All parts are toxic, especially the seeds.
✓ Autumn crocus
✓ Azalea
✓ Cyclamen
✓ Daffodils
✓ Dieffenbachia
✓ Hyacinth
✓ Kalanchoe
✓ Lily of the valley
✓ Oleander
✓ Tulips
✓ Asparagus fern
If you think your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your vet straight away. Take a photo of the plant, or bring a piece of it, so they know exactly what your pet ate.
Frequently asked questions
My money plant is out of reach. Is that OK?
Yes. Toxic plants can stay in your home as long as your pet can't reach them or any fallen leaves.
Is aloe vera gel safe for pets?
The clear inner gel is considered edible, but the leaf and its yellow sap aren't. Don't let your pet chew the plant.
Are cats more sensitive than dogs?
For some plants, yes. True lilies are the biggest danger for cats.
This article is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary care. If you're concerned about your pet's health, please seek professional advice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Judyvein is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and Certified Raw Nutrition Coach for Cats & Dogs, and the founder of JOOF Holistic Pet. Her journey began with her Frenchie, Wangcai, and today she helps pet parents in Singapore take a root-cause approach to their pets' health.
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