Is Heartleaf Philodendron safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Cordatum, Sweetheart Plant. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Philodendron hederaceum) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Heartleaf Philodendron

The ASPCA records Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum, family Araceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses. Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs listed: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry.

Insoluble calcium oxalates are needle-shaped crystals held in the leaf tissue, and they do their damage on contact rather than after digestion, so the pain starts in the mouth within seconds of a bite. That is the reason most pets stop at one mouthful and the reason serious cases are rare. Watch for a pet pawing at its face or refusing food, and note that the ASPCA marks vomiting as a sign in cats and dogs but not in horses.

Two different plants in this database answer to Heartleaf Philodendron. This page covers the real one, Philodendron hederaceum, the trailing houseplant, and its entry records a horse verdict. The ASPCA also lists Heartleaf Philodendron as an alternative name on its Split Leaf Philodendron entry, which is filed as Philodendron bipennifolium and states no horse verdict. Both are toxic to cats and dogs, so the confusion never turns a dangerous plant into a safe one, but the two entries do not say the same thing.

Do not confuse Heartleaf Philodendron with Split Leaf Philodendron

The ASPCA files Heartleaf Philodendron as an alternative name on this entry as well, so searching that name can land you on the wrong plant. This one is a large climbing philodendron, not the small trailing houseplant. The practical difference is the horse column: the Philodendron hederaceum entry is listed Toxic to Horses and this entry states no horse verdict at all. If you keep horses, the entry you read decides the answer you get. The ASPCA lists Split Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron bipennifolium) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, toxic principle Insoluble calcium oxalates, with clinical signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry for Split Leaf Philodendron. If you are unsure which one you have, treat it as the toxic plant until you can confirm, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your pet has eaten any of it.

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?

• Prayer Plant, see the care guide.
• Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant), see the care guide.
• Christmas Cactus, see the care guide.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Heartleaf Philodendron, 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.