Is Fittonia (Nerve Plant) safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Jewel Plant, Silver Nerve, Mosaic Plant, Silver Threads. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Fittonia albivenis) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

The ASPCA records Fittonia (Nerve Plant) (Fittonia albivenis, family Acanthaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry.

The ASPCA files this plant under the scientific name Fittonia verschaffeltii, while most nurseries now label it Fittonia albivenis. They are the same plant under an older and a current name, so a search that turns up nothing under one spelling is not evidence the plant is unlisted.

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.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Fittonia (Nerve Plant), 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.