Is Devil's Ivy Poisonous? – Toxicity to Pets and Humans
Devil’s ivy is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate burning pain and irritation in the mouth, tongue, and digestive tract. It is one of the most common causes of houseplant-related pet poisoning calls, largely because of how widely it is kept as an indoor plant.
The ASPCA lists devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum, also sold as Pothos, Golden Pothos, Taro Vine, and Ivy Arum) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle.
What Part of Devil’s Ivy Is Toxic?
The entire plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. These microscopic needle-shaped structures are embedded in specialized plant cells. When a pet or person chews or crushes the leaves or stems, the crystals are released and physically penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and throat.
Unlike soluble oxalates, insoluble calcium oxalates do not cause kidney damage. The mechanism is purely mechanical irritation. This is worth knowing because the reaction can look alarming, but the long-term prognosis is usually good with prompt care.
Symptoms of Devil’s Ivy Ingestion
Dogs and cats
- Immediate oral pain and pawing at the mouth
- Intense drooling
- Swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips
- Vomiting (dogs and cats)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Reduced appetite
Horses cannot vomit, so ingestion may result in more prolonged gastrointestinal discomfort. Most pets self-limit their intake because the burning sensation starts immediately.
Humans and children
- Burning and tingling in the mouth immediately after chewing a leaf
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Nausea and vomiting if swallowed
- Skin irritation from sap contact (redness, itching)
- Eye irritation if sap contacts the eyes
Children are most at risk because the trailing vines hang within reach and look harmless. The burning sensation is usually enough to stop ingestion, but even a small amount causes significant discomfort.
What to Do
- Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth.
- Rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool water.
- Offer milk or water to drink if the person or pet is able to swallow comfortably.
- Wash skin with soap and water if sap contact occurred.
- Flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes if sap entered them.
- Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your vet if swelling is significant or symptoms do not improve.
Most cases resolve without medical treatment once the plant is removed from the mouth. Seek care if swelling of the throat makes breathing or swallowing difficult.
Keeping Pets and Children Safe Around Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s ivy is one of the most popular houseplants because it grows in low light, requires minimal care, and trails attractively from shelves and hanging baskets. That trailing growth habit puts vines within reach of pets and young children when the plant sits on a low surface.
- Hang the plant from a ceiling hook or place it on a shelf completely out of reach of jumping cats.
- Do not allow vines to trail over the sides of furniture where dogs or cats can access them.
- Wash hands after handling the plant.
- A non-toxic alternative with a similar trailing habit is spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pothos the same as devil’s ivy? Yes. Devil’s ivy and pothos are the same plant (Epipremnum aureum). It is sold under several names including Golden Pothos, Taro Vine, and Ivy Arum. All names refer to the same species with the same toxicity profile.
Will devil’s ivy kill my cat? Fatalities are extremely rare. The insoluble calcium oxalates cause painful irritation but do not cause organ damage. Most cats recover fully with no treatment beyond rinsing the mouth. Call your vet if you are concerned, but this is typically not a life-threatening exposure.
My dog ate some pothos leaves. What should I do? Rinse the mouth with water. Most dogs show drooling and some vomiting that resolves on its own. If swelling seems severe or your dog appears distressed, call your vet. Serious complications are uncommon.
Can I keep devil’s ivy if I have pets? Yes, if you can genuinely place it out of reach. A ceiling hook works well for households with climbing cats. For dogs, a high shelf usually suffices. If your pet actively chews plants, replacing it with a non-toxic alternative is the safer choice.