Is Monstera toxic to dogs and cats?
How serious is Monstera for pets?
Insoluble calcium oxalates: intense oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
Monstera deliciosa
Also called: Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron (misnomer), and Costilla de Adán.
What makes it toxic
Insoluble calcium oxalates.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Symptoms to watch for
- Oral irritation
- Intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
What to do if your pet chewed it
- Move the plant out of reach so they cannot take another bite.
- If your pet is alert, gently rinse their mouth and offer a little water.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435, especially if you see drooling, vomiting, swelling, or lethargy.
Propagating monstera safely with pets at home
Can I propagate monstera if I have cats or dogs?
Monstera is toxic to dogs and cats, per the ASPCA. Yes, if cuttings stay out of reach. Cuttings, leaves and sap are as toxic as the parent plant.
- Treat every cutting as toxic; NC State notes that contact with the sap may irritate skin.
- Root cuttings in a closed room or on a high shelf, and keep the water jar, rooting hormone, perlite and LECA out of pets' reach too.
- Wear gloves if the sap irritates your skin.
Root monstera from a node cutting
- Choose a stem with a node (where a leaf attaches).
- Cut 1 to 2 inches below the node. A leaf with no node will not grow new shoots and eventually rots.
- Set the cutting in moist perlite, potting mix or LECA, or stand it in water. Roots grown in water are weaker, so move it to a solid medium once rooted.
- Keep it somewhere bright, out of direct sun. Rooting hormone is optional; use very little.
- Roots form in about 2 to 4 weeks. New leaves can take 2 to 3 months.
Why is my monstera cutting turning yellow?
Check the roots and base. Healthy roots are creamy white and firm; brown and soft means too much water or poor drainage. A cutting with no node will not grow and rots. Wet, cool soil can also cause damping off, so use an airy medium such as perlite or LECA and let excess water drain.
Gear (optional)
- Clear glass propagation jar (search on Amazon)
- Rooting hormone powder (search on Amazon)
- Perlite (search on Amazon)
- LECA clay pebbles (search on Amazon)
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If a pet chews a cutting or leaf, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply), or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison line tells you to.
Sources for this section
- University of Minnesota Extension: Monstera deliciosa: node requirement, rooting media, 2 to 4 weeks to roots, rot signs.
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Monstera deliciosa: propagation by layering or stem cutting; toxic plant parts and sap irritation.
- Penn State Extension: Propagating Houseplants: rooting hormone, a little is enough.
Section last reviewed: . Plant Doctor is a household reference, not veterinary advice.
Pet-safe swaps
The same green look without the toxicity worry. Each of these is non-toxic to both dogs and cats in our data.
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Buy Apollo a treatQuick answers about Monstera
Is Monstera toxic to cats?
Yes, Monstera is toxic to cats. See all 127 plants toxic to cats.
Is Monstera toxic to dogs?
Yes, Monstera is toxic to dogs. See all 124 plants toxic to dogs.
What is Monstera also called?
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is also called Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron (misnomer), and Costilla de Adán.
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Scan your plantAlways confirm with a veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) before assuming safety. This is a household reference, not a substitute for professional guidance in a suspected poisoning.
· Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
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