Is Pothos Safe for Cats? The Truth About the World's Most Popular Houseplant

The Answer: No, Pothos Is Toxic to Cats

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is probably the most common houseplant in the world — it is cheap, nearly impossible to kill, and tolerates almost any light condition. It is also toxic to cats. If you have a cat and a pothos plant, one of them needs to go.

Pothos is not fatal in the way lilies are — it does not cause kidney failure. But it causes significant discomfort and can lead to more serious problems if your cat chews on it repeatedly over time.

What Pothos Does to Cats: The Science

Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — microscopic needle-like structures that embed in the soft tissue of the mouth, tongue, and throat when chewed. The term "insoluble" is important: unlike some toxins that dissolve in the body and can be flushed out, calcium oxalate crystals physically penetrate tissue and cause mechanical irritation alongside chemical burning.

When a cat chews a pothos leaf, the plant releases these crystals into the cat's mouth. Within seconds, the cat experiences intense burning and irritation. The immediate effects include oral burning sensation, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. In larger ingestions, swelling of the tongue and throat is possible, as is gastrointestinal upset lasting several hours.

The reaction is usually immediate and dramatic — the burning sensation tends to stop cats from eating large amounts, which is the only protective factor. But any ingestion warrants attention, especially if symptoms persist or your cat stops eating.

The Full Family of Toxic Look-Alikes

Pothos is one member of a large group of popular houseplants that share the same calcium oxalate crystal mechanism. If you are making your home safer, check for all of these:

• Pothos / Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) — all varieties: golden, marble queen, neon, satin, global green. All equally toxic.
• Philodendron (all species) — heartleaf philodendron, split-leaf philodendron, velvet-leaf philodendron, Brasil philodendron. All toxic.
• Monstera (Monstera deliciosa, adansonii) — the Swiss cheese plant. One of the most popular plants on social media, and toxic to cats.
• Scindapsus (Scindapsus pictus, treubii) — often sold as "satin pothos" or "silver pothos" though botanically distinct. Equally toxic.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) — same mechanism, same toxicity class.
• Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) — particularly potent calcium oxalate content. Can cause swelling severe enough to impair swallowing.
• Caladium — brightly coloured arrow-shaped leaves. Very high calcium oxalate content.

If you own any of the above plants in a household with cats, the same principle applies: rehome the plant or replace it with a verified safe alternative.

The Best Pothos Alternatives for Cat Owners

The good news: there are several cat-safe plants that fill the same role as pothos — trailing vines, low light tolerance, beginner-friendly care. Here are the best replacements by use case:

For Trailing in Hanging Baskets

• Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis) — fast-growing, trailing, scalloped glossy leaves. Nearly identical habit to pothos. Completely non-toxic.
• String of Turtles (Peperomia rotundifolia) — slower-growing but visually distinctive, with tiny patterned leaves. Non-toxic.

For Dark Glossy Leaves on Shelves

• Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) — thick, glossy, dark green leaves. Similar aesthetic to some pothos varieties. Non-toxic.
• Wax Plant / Hoya (Hoya carnosa) — slow-growing trailing vine with waxy leaves and eventually clusters of star-shaped flowers. Non-toxic.

For Low-Light Spaces

• Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) — nearly indestructible, tolerates deep shade, non-toxic.
• Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) — patterned foliage, low-light tolerant, completely safe.

For Fast Growth and Easy Propagation

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) — produces runners constantly, equally forgiving of neglect, non-toxic.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats Pothos

If your cat chews on pothos, expect immediate reactions. Watch for drooling, pawing at the face, vomiting, and reluctance to eat. Rinse their mouth gently with water if they will allow it — this can help dislodge crystals from the oral tissue.

Call your vet if symptoms are severe, persist beyond a couple of hours, or if your cat stops eating entirely. Most cases resolve on their own within a few hours without treatment, but any sign of throat swelling is a veterinary emergency.

Keep the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number saved: 888-426-4435.

The Bottom Line

Move your pothos to a home without cats, or replace it with one of the safe alternatives above. The good news is that the cat-safe options are just as attractive and just as easy to care for. Explore our full plant database for 119 ASPCA-verified non-toxic plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a cat eats pothos?

Pothos causes immediate oral irritation from insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — intense burning, drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting. Most cats stop eating quickly because of the pain. Call your vet if symptoms are severe or persist beyond an hour, or if your cat stops eating.

Are all pothos varieties equally toxic?

Yes. Golden pothos, marble queen pothos, neon pothos, and all other varieties are the same species (Epipremnum aureum) and are equally toxic to cats. No variety is safer than another.

Is philodendron the same toxicity level as pothos?

Yes. Philodendrons contain the same insoluble calcium oxalate crystals as pothos and cause the same symptoms. Monstera (Swiss cheese plant) is in the same family and is equally toxic. If you are replacing pothos, check your home for philodendrons and monsteras as well.

What is the best cat-safe plant to replace pothos?

Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis) is the closest like-for-like replacement — trailing, fast-growing, tolerant of similar conditions, and completely non-toxic. The Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is an excellent substitute for smaller spaces with a very similar glossy aesthetic.