Is Calathea toxic to dogs?
Calathea (Goeppertia (formerly Calathea) spp.) is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs. A large mouthful can still upset a stomach — that is a full stomach, not poisoning.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control, 24 hours: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply), or call your own vet. Take a piece of the plant with you.
Signs that need a vet the same day whatever the plant: repeated vomiting, drooling that will not stop, swelling of the mouth or face, trouble breathing or swallowing, collapse, or a seizure.
What can still happen
Non-toxic means no poisonous compound, not no consequences. Any plant eaten in quantity can cause vomiting or loose stools simply as indigestible fibre, and potting mix carries its own risks — fertiliser granules, and the systemic insecticide many nursery plants arrive treated with. Listed by ASPCA as Prayer Plant (Calathea insignis, Marantaceae). Beware a naming trap: ASPCA also lists a "Peacock Plant" that is Kaempferia, an unrelated ginger.
If your dog is unwell after eating this plant, the plant is probably not the cause — which is a reason to call the vet, not to wait.
Is it toxic to people?
No meaningful hazard to people from handling Calathea. Ordinary care with small children still applies — anything chewed in quantity can cause a stomach ache.
Make sure it is actually this plant
Alocasia is toxic to dogs and is commonly sold or mistaken for this one.
Judge by leaf base and venation, never by overall shape — outline is what collapses these pairs.
More confirmed pet-safe plants
Every plant below is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, and we checked each entry ourselves — so you can build a whole collection that stays safe.
- Spider plant — bright indirect light
- Hoya — bright indirect to some direct light, very drought-tolerant
- Parlor palm — medium indirect light
- Areca palm — bright indirect light
- Boston fern — bright indirect light
- Moth orchid — bright indirect light, very drought-tolerant
Sources and how we checked
Read directly from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control entry Prayer Plant; the agent and signs above are their wording. The full list is at aspca.org.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Any animal that is actually unwell needs a vet, not a web page.
Is Calathea toxic to cats? · Full Calathea care guide · All pet-safe houseplants