How does Root & Reach Botanicals verify plant safety for pets?

Every plant in our collection is cross-referenced with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database and verified as non-toxic to both cats and dogs before being added to our inventory. We also cross-reference additional authoritative veterinary sources. Plants with unclear or disputed non-toxic status are never included in our collection.

What does ASPCA-verified non-toxic mean for houseplants?

ASPCA-verified non-toxic means a plant appears on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's official list of plants non-toxic to cats and dogs. This is the most authoritative and widely referenced database for pet plant safety in the United States. When Root & Reach Botanicals describes a plant as ASPCA-verified non-toxic, it means we have confirmed its scientific name against these official ASPCA lists.

Are all plants at Root & Reach Botanicals safe for both cats and dogs?

Every plant in our collection is cross-referenced with both the ASPCA dog-safe and cat-safe lists. We only carry varieties that appear on both lists, meaning our entire inventory is verified non-toxic to cats and dogs. We never carry plants safe for one species but not the other.

Does Root & Reach Botanicals carry any toxic plants?

No. Root & Reach Botanicals maintains a zero-tolerance policy for toxic plant varieties. We never carry pothos, philodendrons, snake plants, peace lilies, ZZ plants, monstera, rubber trees, or any other varieties listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Our entire inventory is dedicated exclusively to ASPCA-verified non-toxic houseplants.

Where can I find the official ASPCA plant safety database?

The ASPCA maintains two separate plant lists: one for plants non-toxic to dogs at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list and one for plants non-toxic to cats at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list. These are the primary databases Root & Reach Botanicals uses when curating our collection.

Pet Safety

Q: What should I do if my pet ingests one of your plants?

All plants in our collection are ASPCA-verified non-toxic, meaning they are not expected to cause poisoning if ingested. However, consuming any plant material in large quantities can cause mild digestive discomfort in some pets. If your pet shows symptoms that concern you after ingesting plant material, contact your veterinarian. For any pet poisoning emergency, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Our Verification Standard

How We Verify Plant Safety

Every plant in our collection is cross-referenced with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database and verified non-toxic to cats and dogs before we ever offer it to our customers. Here is exactly how that process works, and why it matters.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Is Our Standard

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals maintains the most comprehensive and authoritative plant toxicity databases in the United States. Their Animal Poison Control Center lists are maintained by veterinary toxicologists and are the primary resource relied upon by veterinarians, animal poison control specialists, and pet safety researchers.

Root & Reach Botanicals uses these official ASPCA databases as the foundation of our entire curation process. Every plant we carry must appear on both the dog-safe and cat-safe lists before it is added to our inventory. This is not a suggestion or a guideline within our business. It is a non-negotiable requirement.

Official ASPCA Plant Safety Databases

These are the primary sources we use to curate every plant in our collection. We encourage all pet owners to bookmark these resources for their own reference.

Plants Non-Toxic to Dogs

The complete ASPCA database of plants verified non-toxic to dogs. Each entry includes scientific names and plant families for accurate identification. This is one of the two primary sources we cross-reference for every plant in our collection.

View ASPCA Dog-Safe List

Plants Non-Toxic to Cats

The official ASPCA database of plants verified non-toxic to cats. Because cats and dogs can react differently to plant compounds, we require a plant to appear on both this list and the dog-safe list before it qualifies for our inventory.

View ASPCA Cat-Safe List

Our Verification Process

ASPCA database cross-referencing is the foundation of our curation, but it is not the only step. Here is how we evaluate every plant before it enters our collection.

Step 01

Scientific Name Confirmation

Common plant names are inconsistent and often shared by multiple species with different safety profiles. We confirm the exact scientific name of every plant at the source before beginning any safety research.

Step 02

ASPCA Database Cross-Reference

We cross-reference the confirmed scientific name against both the ASPCA dog-safe and cat-safe plant lists. A plant must appear on both lists to qualify for our collection. Appearing on one list only is not sufficient.

Step 03

Additional Source Verification

We cross-reference additional authoritative veterinary toxicology sources to confirm alignment with the ASPCA findings. Any plant with conflicting or ambiguous safety data across sources is excluded.

Step 04

Ongoing Monitoring

We monitor the ASPCA database for updates and review our inventory against any changes. Our collection reflects the most current available information on plant non-toxicity status.

Important Disclaimer

The ASPCA is the authoritative source for pet plant safety information. All plants carried by Root & Reach Botanicals have been cross-referenced with the official ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center databases and verified as non-toxic to cats and dogs at the time of curation.

We encourage verification: While we maintain a rigorous curation process, we recommend all pet owners also verify any plant against the official ASPCA lists. Plant variety names can vary regionally, and individual growers may occasionally use common names loosely. Scientific name confirmation is the most reliable method.

Non-toxic does not mean edible: ASPCA-verified non-toxic means a plant is not expected to cause poisoning if ingested. However, consuming any plant material in large quantities may cause mild digestive discomfort in some pets. If your pet regularly consumes plant material, consult your veterinarian for guidance on discouragement strategies. If you observe concerning symptoms after any plant ingestion, contact your veterinarian.

Individual sensitivities vary: Pets, like people, can have individual sensitivities. ASPCA non-toxic designation is based on typical responses in healthy animals. Pets with pre-existing health conditions should be evaluated by a veterinarian for specific concerns.

Popular ASPCA-Verified Non-Toxic Houseplants

These are some of the most sought-after varieties in our collection, each confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs through the ASPCA database.

Accessible for Beginners

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Prayer Plant (Calathea species)
Peperomia (Peperomia species)

Statement and Palm Varieties

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Air-Purifying Varieties

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Verified Non-Toxic Succulents

Haworthia (Haworthia species)
Echeveria (Echeveria elegans)
Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
Hens and Chickens (Echeveria elegans)

Flowering Varieties

African Violet (Saintpaulia species)
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa)
Impatiens (Impatiens species)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Pet-Safe Herbs

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Pet Poison Emergency Contacts

While every plant in our collection is ASPCA-verified non-toxic, every responsible pet owner should have these contacts readily accessible. Save them to your phone today.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

(888) 426-4435

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staffed by veterinary toxicologists. A consultation fee may apply.

Pet Poison Helpline

(855) 764-7661

24-hour animal poison control service. A consultation fee may apply.

Shop with Complete Confidence

Every plant in our 150+ variety collection has been cross-referenced with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database and verified non-toxic to cats and dogs. Browse freely, knowing the research has already been done.

Explore the Full Collection