Snake plant

Q: Is Snake plant toxic to cats?

Toxic: Toxic — saponins cause drooling and vomiting if chewed. Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, still sold as Sansevieria) is on the ASPCA toxic list. The rigid leaves contain saponins. Cats that chew them drool and vomit. It is rarely a lily-style disaster, but it is a bad bedroom plant for a bored indoor cat. Haworthia is a safer upright succulent. Source: ASPCA.

Q: Is Tulip also safe for cats?

Toxic: Toxic — bulbs are most dangerous, causes GI upset.

Toxic

Verdict

Toxic — saponins cause drooling and vomiting if chewed.

Toxic principle: saponins

Also called: sansevieria, mother in law tongue, mother-in-law's tongue, dracaena trifasciata

Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-08-13

If your cat ate this

Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.

1. Call your veterinarian immediately
US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)

Verified 2026-08-06

Verdict

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, still sold as Sansevieria) is on the ASPCA toxic list. The rigid leaves contain saponins. Cats that chew them drool and vomit. It is rarely a lily-style disaster, but it is a bad bedroom plant for a bored indoor cat. Haworthia is a safer upright succulent.