Is Philodendron (Heartleaf Philodendron) Toxic to Cats and Dogs? (Philodendron hederaceum)

ASPCA Animal Poison Control lists Philodendron (Heartleaf Philodendron) (Philodendron hederaceum) as toxic to cats and dogs. The toxic principle is Insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs reported: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing.

ASPCA maintains separate entries for different Philodendron varieties (Heartleaf, Split Leaf, Fiddle-Leaf, etc.). This entry uses Heartleaf Philodendron, the most common houseplant variety; the toxic principle and clinical signs are consistent across the other varieties.

If a pet may have eaten a plant, contact a veterinarian, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Note what was eaten, how much and when, and bring a photo or a piece of the plant. Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a professional tells you to.

• Aloe Vera
• Azalea
• Chrysanthemum
• Cyclamen

Toxicity lists are by species, and many houseplants look alike. Photograph the whole plant, a leaf close-up and any flower in even light; the app reads the species first, then you can check it here. If the species is uncertain, act as if it were toxic.

Heartleaf philodendron is one of the easiest houseplants to keep: medium, indirect light, soil kept slightly moist, and less water in winter. NC State says it prefers medium light but tolerates deep shade (under two hours of direct sun) and can survive for long periods in extremely low light. It likes medium humidity and moist soil and appreciates misting, but tolerates dry air. It climbs or trails on aerial roots that NC State says can grow to 4 feet or more, and the stems can reach 13 feet, so give it a pole or let it trail from a shelf.

Garden Design groups philodendron with its low-light plants, notes vines to about 8 feet, and suggests evenly moist soil and a water-soluble fertiliser from spring to fall.

Shade to bright indirect light, not direct sun. NC State lists deep shade to partial shade (two to six hours of direct sun) and medium light as its preference. In practice that means a spot a few feet from a window, or a room with no direct sun at all. Long gaps between leaves and small new leaves mean it wants a little more light.

Out of reach of pets and small children, in medium indirect light, away from cold drafts. Because every part contains calcium oxalate crystals and NC State notes it can cause contact dermatitis, a high shelf or hanging pot where the vines cannot be chewed is the practical choice in a home with a cat or dog. If you are not sure the plant is a philodendron and not a pothos, check the leaf stalk: NC State says philodendron stalks are not grooved. See house plant identification.

This section was added on 2026-09-25. Research and drafting were done with the help of AI, and every figure was checked against the sources added to this page. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will correct it.