Cats & Dogs
Generally safeConsulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Chocolate Soldier
Episcia dianthiflora
Chocolate Soldier is a popular trailing houseplant known for its fuzzy, patterned foliage and delicate, fringed flowers. It is considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Episcia dianthifloraFlame VioletLace Flower
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Trailing or creeping
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
None expected from normal interaction; large ingestions may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to fiber content.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
None expected from normal interaction; large ingestions may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to fiber content.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your dog consumes a large amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Bring it home
Chocolate Soldieris generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.
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Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Plants of the World Online (Kew)
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted scientific name and distribution data for Episcia dianthiflora.
Questions about Chocolate Soldier
Is Chocolate Soldier (Episcia dianthiflora) toxic to cats?
No, Chocolate Soldier is non-toxic to cats. It is considered generally safe for households with feline companions, meaning accidental nibbling is unlikely to cause serious harm.
What happens if my cat eats Chocolate Soldier leaves?
Large ingestions may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to the plant's fiber content, but no toxic effects are expected. Symptoms should be minor and short-lived.
What should I do if my cat ate a lot of Chocolate Soldier plant?
Monitor your cat for signs of digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms persist or your cat seems distressed, contact your veterinarian — this plant is non-toxic, so serious outcomes are not expected.
Is Chocolate Soldier safe to keep in a home with cats?
Yes, Chocolate Soldier is a pet-safe choice for cat households. Non-toxic does not mean harmless in unlimited quantities, though — a cat that grazes heavily on any houseplant can experience GI upset, so keeping plants out of easy reach is still a good habit.
Is Chocolate Soldier (Episcia dianthiflora) toxic to dogs?
No, Chocolate Soldier is non-toxic to dogs. It is considered generally safe for households with dogs, and normal contact or minor nibbling is not expected to cause any harm.
What happens if my dog eats a Chocolate Soldier plant?
Large ingestions may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to the plant's fiber content, but no toxic effects are expected. Symptoms, if any, should be minor and short-lived.
How much Chocolate Soldier plant is dangerous for a dog?
No amount is considered toxic — this plant contains no known toxic principles. That said, eating a large quantity of any plant material can irritate a dog's digestive tract and cause temporary GI upset.
Should I keep my dog away from Chocolate Soldier plants?
Strict separation isn't necessary since the plant is non-toxic, but it's still worth discouraging your dog from eating houseplants in general. If your dog consumes a large amount and shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.
Same genus
More from the Episcia genus
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Nerve Plant
Fittonia albivenis
Nerve Plant is a popular, low-growing tropical houseplant known for its striking, vein-patterned foliage. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Polynesian Ivy
Pellionia daveauana
Pellionia daveauana is a low-growing, trailing plant often used in terrariums or as a ground cover for indoor containers. It is considered non-toxic to household pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Garden cosmos is a daisy-like annual usually treated as a pet-safe flowering option, though any large plant ingestion can still cause mild stomach upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Calathea
Calathea spp.
Calathea are popular tropical houseplants known for their striking, patterned foliage and rhythmic leaf movement. They are considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
African Violet
Saintpaulia spp.
African Violets are popular, low-growing flowering houseplants known for their fuzzy leaves and vibrant blooms. They are considered non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Gloxinia
Sinningia speciosa
Gloxinia is a popular flowering houseplant known for its large, velvety leaves and vibrant, bell-shaped blooms. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of plant material can occasionally cause minor digestive irritation.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Purple Waffle Plant
Hemigraphis alternata
The Purple Waffle Plant is a popular, low-growing tropical houseplant known for its puckered, metallic-purple foliage. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Shrimp Cactus
Schlumbergera russelliana
The Shrimp Cactus is a popular, trailing epiphytic cactus known for its unique, segmented stems and vibrant, pendulous flowers. It is considered safe for households with pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.