Snake Plant Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 926 found this helpful

Snake Plant is confirmed toxic to cats and dogs, with unknown toxicity status for horses

Its core toxic components are saponins, including steroid saponins such as Sansevierigenin

Ingestion may trigger mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and neurological issues like ataxia

FAQ

Is Snake Plant toxic to Humans?

Oral and gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild sedation in cases of large ingestion (Low)

Is Snake Plant toxic to Cats?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, possible lethargy and sedation (Low)

Is Snake Plant toxic to Dogs?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, sedation, ataxia, foaming at the mouth in severe ingestion cases (Low)

Is Snake Plant toxic to Horses?

No confirmed symptoms reported, toxicity risk is unclassified (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Oral and gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild sedation in cases of large ingestion

Cats

Low

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, possible lethargy and sedation

Dogs

Low

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, sedation, ataxia, foaming at the mouth in severe ingestion cases

Horses

Unknown

No confirmed symptoms reported, toxicity risk is unclassified

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole plant

Exposure RoutePrimary: ingestion of plant tissue; secondary: direct contact with damaged plant parts causing local skin/mucosa irritation

Toxic CompoundsSaponins; Steroid saponins; Sansevierigenin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the affected person/animal's mouth immediately
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool clean water to reduce mucosal irritation
• Monitor for early symptoms like excessive drooling, nausea, or lethargy for 2 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your cat or dog has ingested any quantity of Snake Plant
• Symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, foaming at the mouth, or lethargy appear
• A grazing animal like a horse has ingested large amounts of the plant and shows unusual behavior

Prevention

• Place Snake Plants out of reach of cats and dogs that chew on houseplants
• Label all houseplants clearly to avoid accidental ingestion by children or pets
• Avoid planting Snake Plant in pastures or areas accessible to grazing livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform decontamination (induced vomiting, activated charcoal) under professional medical/vet guidance
• Provide symptomatic therapy including anti-emetics and fluid support for severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• Administer mucosal protective agents to reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSansevieria trifasciata

AliasesGolden Bird's Nest、Mother-in-Law’s Tongue、Good Luck Plant

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Oral mucosaGastrointestinal tractNervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Saponins in plant tissue cause local irritation to all contacted mucosal membranes

• Systemic absorption of steroid saponins may trigger sedation and mild nervous system dysfunction in high doses

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Horse: Toxicity is unconfirmed, no documented poisoning cases on record, exposure should be avoided as a precaution

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Sansevieria species Sansevieria spp.

Visually nearly identical to Sansevieria trifasciata, all species are slightly toxic with comparable saponin content

Upright Euphorbia species Euphorbia spp.

Some varieties have similar upright rigid leaf morphology, but are highly toxic with caustic latex that causes severe tissue irritation

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Yucca

Yucca filamentosa

Low toxicity, contains saponins that cause GI irritation in pets

Century Plant

Agave americana

Moderate toxicity, caustic sap and saponins cause severe mucosal and skin irritation

Corn Plant

Dracaena fragrans

Low toxicity, saponin content triggers vomiting and diarrhea in cats and dogs

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

2. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.