Is Asparagus Fern safe for cats and dogs?

What the ASPCA lists for Asparagus Fern

The ASPCA records Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus, family Liliaceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats. Clinical signs listed: Allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea). Read the ASPCA entry.

The ASPCA lists no toxic principle on this entry, only the signs. Note the two distinct routes: skin contact repeated over time causes dermatitis, which is a risk to the person pruning it as much as to a pet, and it is the berries rather than the foliage that cause the gastric upset. The entry states no horse verdict either way.

This is the plant most likely to be missed by someone checking whether their houseplant is pet safe, because the ASPCA entry carries a long list of retail names that do not contain the word asparagus: Emerald Feather, Emerald Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Plumosa Fern, Lace Fern, Racemose Asparagus and Shatavari, alongside Asparagus itself. Someone who searches the name on their shop label can find nothing and reasonably conclude the plant is unlisted. Check by botanical name, Asparagus densiflorus, and the entry appears. It is also not a fern.

What this verdict does and does not mean

Being non-toxic does not mean a plant is chew-proof: even pet-safe houseplants can upset a cat's or dog's stomach if they eat a large amount, simply because it is plant matter. Most toxic houseplants cause irritant-level symptoms, such as drooling, mouth soreness, or a mild upset stomach, rather than a medical emergency. A small number of plants are a genuine emergency, most notably true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) for cats, which can cause fatal kidney failure from even a small amount of pollen or a nibbled leaf. If you are ever in doubt, or your pet has eaten part of a plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

Safer alternatives

Looking for something with a similar look and habit that is pet-safe instead?

• Calathea, see the care guide.
• Peperomia, see the care guide.
• Fittonia (Nerve Plant), see the care guide.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Asparagus Fern, browse the pet safety checker for other plants, or identify a plant from a photo first if you are not sure what you have. Verdicts here follow the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.