Pet safety
Is Maidenhair Fern safe for cats and dogs?
Maidenhair Fern is not listed by the ASPCA, but reputable horticultural sources treat it as safe for cats and dogs.
Considered safe
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) is not listed in the ASPCA database; this assessment follows reputable horticultural sources and errs on the side of caution. It is treated as safe for cats and dogs.
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 Maidenhair 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.