Pet safety reference

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Classic trailing philodendron with heart-shaped leaves, listed as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

Check a list
Heartleaf philodendronPhilodendron hederaceumPhilodendron scandensSweetheart plant
Light
medium to bright indirect
Habit
trailing vine
Care
easy

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Sources

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

Oral irritation, mouth pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing.

Escalation note

Usually an irritating exposure. Seek veterinary guidance for significant mouth symptoms.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, mouth pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing.

Escalation note

Escalate for persistent or severe symptoms.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum

Same medium to bright indirect light — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata

Pet-safe stand-in — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Baby Rubber Plant
Peperomia obtusifolia

Same easy care routine — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Source evidence

ASPCA: Heartleaf Philodendron

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

ASPCA lists heartleaf philodendron as toxic to dogs and cats due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

NC State Extension: Philodendron hederaceum

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

NC State Extension confirms Philodendron hederaceum identity and common-name variants.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum

Very common trailing houseplant widely sold as pothos or devil's ivy and regularly flagged as irritating if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Satin Pothos
Scindapsus pictus

Silver-flecked climbing vine frequently sold beside pothos but botanically distinct, with a similar irritation profile if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Swiss Cheese Vine
Monstera adansonii

Smaller trailing Monstera with heavily fenestrated leaves; toxicity profile mirrors Monstera deliciosa.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata

Common upright houseplant still sold under the former Sansevieria name, with low-to-moderate irritation risk if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Amazonian Elephant Ear
Alocasia amazonica

Arrow-shaped elephant-ear houseplant hybrid; classified as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.