Is Calathea Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Calathea spp.

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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | No |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | No |
| Toxic to horses | No |
| Toxic component | N/A β non-toxic |
| Onset of symptoms | N/A |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
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What to do
No treatment is needed. It prefers higher humidity and can get crispy leaf edges in dry air β that's a care issue, not a sign of pet-related harm.
Toxic component and mechanism
Calathea is not known to contain toxic compounds harmful to dogs, cats, or horses.
What makes this plant different
Calathea is confirmed non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. It's grown almost entirely for its strikingly patterned leaves rather than for flowers, and like its close relative the Prayer Plant, its foliage visibly folds upward at night and unfolds again during the day β a movement called nyctinasty that's easy to notice if you check on it morning and evening.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Calathea spp.
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Also known as
- Calathea, Rattle Snake Plant, Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant
- Typically found
- both
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Maranta leuconeura

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See all Marantaceae plants β
Last verified: July 2, 2026 Β· Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control