Safe Plants Reference List

The following is a comprehensive list of plants documented as non-toxic to birds and exotic pets. This list combines data from two authoritative sources: BirdTalk Magazine (October 1997) and Clinical Avian Medicine (Harrison & Harrison, W.B. Saunders, 1986).

 

**Important Reminders:**
– Always identify plants by both common name AND scientific name (genus and species)
– Any plant can cause digestive upset if consumed in large quantities or if not part of the regular diet
– Only use organically grown plants—synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can make even safe plants toxic
– Some plants are safe for certain species but not others (notes are provided where applicable)
– When in doubt, consult your avian or exotic animal veterinarian

 

**Note:** This list represents plants that are generally considered safe. Individual animals may have sensitivities or allergies. Monitor your pet when introducing any new plant material.

Alphabetical Safe Plants List

Plants are listed by common name with scientific nomenclature in italics. Notes are provided where applicable.

  • Abelia — Abetia spp.
  • Acacia (some species) — Acacia spp. (Prickly shrub, nesting site)
  • African Daisy — Arctotis stoechadifolia
  • African Violet — Saintpaulina spp.
  • Aloe — Aloe spp. (flesh only)
  • Aluminum Plant — Pilea cadierei
  • Aralia — Aralia spp.
  • Arbutus — Arbutus spp.
  • Areca Palm, Butterfly Cane — Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (Good foliage)
  • Ash — Fraxinus spp.
  • Asparagus Fern — Asparagus densiflorus
  • Aspen — Populus spp.
  • Aspidistra — Aspidistra spp.
  • Baby’s Breath — Gypsophila paniculata
  • Baby’s Tears — Helxine soleirolli
  • Bachelor Buttons — Centaurea cyanus
  • Barberry — Berberis spp.
  • Beech — Fagus Nothofagus
  • Begonia — Begonia spp.
  • Birch — Betula spp.
  • Bird’s Nest Fern — Asplenium nidus
  • Blood Leaf Plant — Iresine herbstii and related spp.
  • Boston Fern — Nephrolepsis bostoniensis
  • Bougainvillea — Bougainvillea spp. (Shelter, nesting, colorful)
  • Brake, Ribbon, Dish — Pteris cretica
  • Bromeliads — Ananas comosus
  • Calamint — Calamintha spp.
  • Calendula (Pot Marigold) — Calendula officinalis
  • California Holly — Heteromeles arbutifolia
  • Camellia — Camellia spp.
  • Ceriman, Monstera — Monstera deliciosa (Large philodendron)
  • Chamomile — Chamaemelum nobile
  • Chickweed — Cerastium vulgatum, Stellaria media
  • Chicory — Cichorium intybus
  • Cissus Kangaroo Vines — Cissus spp.
  • Claw Cactus — Schlumbergera truncata
  • Coffee Tree — Coffea arabica (coffee is toxic)
  • Coleus — Coleus blumei
  • Comfrey — Symphytum officinalis
  • Corn Plant — Dracaena fragrans
  • Cottonwood — Populus spp.
  • Crabapple — Malus spp. (fruit only)
  • Creeping Jenny — Lysimachia spp.
  • Croton (house variety) — Codiaeum variegatum
  • Dahlia — Dahlia spp.
  • Dandelion — Taraxacum officinalis
  • Date — Phoenix dactylifera
  • Daylily — Hemerocallis spp.
  • Dill — Anethum graveolens
  • Dogwood — Cornus spp.
  • Donkey Tail — Sedum morganianum
  • Dracaena — Dracaena spp.
  • Dragon Tree — Dracaena draco
  • Easter Cactus — Rhipsalidopsis spp.
  • Echeveria — Echeveria spp.
  • Elderberry — Sambucus spp. (cooked ripe fruit only)
  • Elephant Foot Tree — Beaucarnea recurvata
  • Elm — Ulmus spp.
  • Eucalyptus — Eucalyptus species
  • Eugenia — Eugenia spp.
  • European Fan — Chamaerops humilis
  • Fir — Abies spp.
  • Gardenia — Gardenia jasminoides
  • Garlic — Allium sativum
  • Gloxinia — Sinningia speciosa
  • Gold Dust Dracaena — Dracaena godseffiana
  • Grape Ivy — Cissus rhombifolia
  • Grape Vine — Vitis spp.
  • Hens and Chicks — Echeveria and Sempervivum species
  • Hibiscus — Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and related species
  • Honeysuckle — Lonicera spp.
  • Hoya — Hoya spp.
  • Impatiens — Impatiens spp.
  • Indian Hawthorne — Rhaphiolepsis spp.
  • Jade Plant — Crassula ovata
  • Kalanchoe — Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
  • Larch — Larix spp.
  • Lemon Balm — Melissa officinalis
  • Lilac — Syringa vulgaris and related species
  • Lily (Easter or Tiger) — Lilium spp.
  • Magnolia — Magnolia spp.
  • Maidenhair Fern — Adiantum spp.
  • Manzanita — Arctostaphylos manzanita
  • Marigold — Tagetes spp.
  • Mayapple — Podophyllum peltatum (fruit only)
  • Monkey Plant — Ruellia spp.
  • Moses-in-the-Cradle — Rhoeo spathacea
  • Mother-In-Law’s-Tongue — Sansevieria trifasciata
  • Nandina — Nandina domestica
  • Nasturtium — Tropaeolum majus
  • Natal Plum — Carissa macrocarpa
  • Nerve Plant — Fittonia verschaffeltii
  • Norfolk Island Pine — Araucaria excelsa
  • Parsley — Petroselinum spp.
  • Passionflower — Passiflora caerulea
  • Peperomia — Peperomia spp.
  • Peppermint — Mentha x piperita
  • Petunia — Petunia spp.
  • Pony Tail Palm — Beaucarnea recurvata
  • Poplar — Populus spp.
  • Prayer Plant — Maranta leuconeura
  • Purple Passion, Purple Velvet — Gynura aurantiaca
  • Pyracantha — Pyracantha spp.
  • Raphiolepis — Raphiolepis spp.
  • Rose — Rosa spp.
  • Rubber Plant — Ficus elastica
  • Russian Olive — Elaeagnus augustifolia
  • Schefflera — Schefflera actinophylla
  • Sensitive Plant — Mimosa pudica
  • Spearmint — Mentha spicata
  • Spider Plant — Chlorophytum comosum
  • Spruce — Picea spp.
  • Squirrel’s Foot Fern — Davallia trichomanoides
  • Staghorn, Elk’s Horn — Platycerium bifurcatum
  • Star Jasmine — Trachelospermum jasminoides
  • String of Beads — Senecio rowleyanus
  • Swedish Ivy — Plectranthus australis
  • Sword Fern — Nephrolepis exaltata
  • Thistle — Cirsium spp.
  • Ti Plant — Cordyline terminalis
  • Violet — Viola spp.
  • Wandering Jew — Tradescantia fluminensis
  • Willow — Salix spp.
  • Yucca — Yucca spp.
  • Zebra Plant — Aphelandra squarrosa

Sources

  • Poisonous and Nonpoisonous Plants by McWatters, BirdTalk Magazine, October 1997
  • Clinical Avian Medicine by Harrison and Harrison, W.B. Saunders Company, 1986

Additional Disclaimers

Important: This list is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. While these plants are generally recognized as safe for birds and exotic pets:

  • Individual animals may have unique sensitivities or allergies
  • Organic growing practices must be followed—chemical treatments make any plant potentially toxic
  • Quantities matter—overconsumption of any plant material can cause digestive upset
  • Always properly identify plants using both common and scientific names
  • Consult your avian or exotic animal veterinarian when introducing new plants

See Also: