Coontie Palm — (c) tanetahi, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Photo by (c) tanetahi, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY
dog safety reference

Is Coontie Palm safe for dogs?

Zamia pumila

Zamia pumila is a cycad native to the southeastern United States, often grown as an ornamental landscape or container plant. It contains toxic compounds that can cause severe health complications if ingested by pets.

Cardboard PalmCoontieFlorida ArrowrootZamia pumila
Light
Bright indirect light to partial shade
Habit
Slow-growing, clumping shrub
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

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

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Dogs are the pet most often poisoned by coontie palm — they'll chew seeds, leaves, or roots dropped in the yard, and ASPCA reports even one or two seeds can be fatal. Pet Poison Helpline lists this cycad family among the deadliest plants for dogs, with roughly half surviving even with treatment.

What to watch for

Vomiting (often bloody), bloody or dark stools, drooling, severe lethargy, increased thirst, jaundice (yellow gums or skin), bruising, and tremors or weakness as liver failure sets in.

Time window

Pet Poison Helpline reports GI signs in dogs typically begin 15 minutes to 4 hours after ingestion; liver failure can develop over the next 2–3 days. Survival drops sharply when treatment is delayed.

When to call the vet

Go now. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) en route to the clinic — do not wait for symptoms. Any chewed leaf or swallowed seed is a true emergency.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, bloody stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, and liver damage.

Escalation note

The entire plant is considered poisonous to dogs. Immediate veterinary intervention is required as symptoms can progress rapidly to liver failure.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Coontie Palm

Same dog verdict

Related plants for dogs