Pet safety
Is String of Pearls safe for cats and dogs?
String of Pearls is not listed by the ASPCA, but reputable horticultural sources treat it as toxic to cats and dogs.
Considered toxic
String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus) is not listed in the ASPCA database; this assessment follows reputable horticultural sources and errs on the side of caution. It is treated as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach, and if your pet has chewed it, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Why there is no ASPCA entry for String of Pearls
String of pearls does not appear in the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database, under either its current name Curio rowleyanus or its former name Senecio rowleyanus. The Senecio entries the ASPCA does carry are ragwort and groundsel, which are different plants. So there is no ASPCA verdict on this plant in either direction, and a page that cites the ASPCA for one is citing a record that does not exist. The verdict here follows reputable horticultural sources, which treat it as toxic, and errs toward caution.
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 String of Pearls, 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.