Is Peace Lily safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Mauna Loa Peace Lily. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Spathiphyllum) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Peace Lily

The ASPCA records Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum, family Araceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats. Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs listed: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry.

Insoluble calcium oxalates are needle-shaped crystals, so the burning starts on contact rather than after digestion, and most pets stop after one bite. That is why peace lily cases are usually distressing rather than deadly. Note the entry gives verdicts for dogs and cats only and states none for horses.

A peace lily is not a lily. It is an aroid, family Araceae, and the distinction matters more here than almost anywhere else in this database: the ASPCA records true lilies in the genus Lilium, such as the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum) and stargazer lily (Lilium orientalis), as Toxic to Cats with clinical signs of vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible, adding that cats are the only species known to be affected. A peace lily causes a painful mouth. A true lily can kill a cat. If you are not certain which plant you have, treat it as a true lily and call the vet.

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 Peace Lily, 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.