Is Polka Dot Plant safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Pink Polka Dot Plant, Measles Plant, Baby's Tears, Freckle Face. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Hypoestes phyllostachya) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Polka Dot Plant

The ASPCA records Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya, family Acanthaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Clinical signs listed: Mild vomiting, diarrhea. Read the ASPCA entry.

The ASPCA lists this plant as non-toxic and still records clinical signs against it. That is not a contradiction: non-toxic means no poisonous compound, not that a pet can eat a plateful without consequence. A cat or dog that strips a polka dot plant may still be sick from the plant matter itself.

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 Polka Dot 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.