Is it toxic to dogs?
Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura · Marantaceae
Also called Maranta, Calathea, Peacock plant, Rattlesnake plant
Non-Toxic to dogs
No. ASPCA lists prayer plant as non-toxic to dogs. Its look-alikes are the risk: dieffenbachia has bold patterned leaves too, and it is toxic to dogs.
Why it’s considered safe for dogs
Prayer plant gets its name from its leaves, which fold upward at night like hands in prayer. ASPCA lists it under that name as non-toxic to dogs, with no toxic principle and no clinical signs. The entry is filed under Calathea insignis, and the common prayer plant, Maranta leuconeura, belongs to the same family, Marantaceae.
That makes it a decent choice for a dog household, but a few cautions apply. Swallowing a lot of any plant can lead to a mild upset stomach. The soil, plant food and humidity sprays around the pot are separate concerns.
The main danger is a case of mistaken identity. Boldly patterned leaves are common among houseplants, and dieffenbachia (dumb cane) is a toxic one. ASPCA lists its insoluble calcium oxalates as the cause of intense mouth burning, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Confirm the label before bringing a patterned plant home.
If your dog ate prayer plant
A nibbled leaf is rarely a problem. ASPCA lists prayer plant as non-toxic, though your dog may have a mild upset stomach with vomiting or loose stool.
Call your vet if the signs persist or your dog ate a large amount. Call right away if your dog is pawing at the mouth, drooling heavily, or struggling to swallow, because that points to a different plant such as dieffenbachia. Also call if the plant was treated with fertilizer or a pesticide. In the US, ASPCA Animal Poison Control is at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply); elsewhere, call your local emergency vet.
Do not make your dog vomit at home.
Keeping your dog safe
Prayer plants like humid spots, so many people put them in bathrooms or on kitchen shelves. A high shelf or a closed room keeps the leaves away from your dog.
Keep plant food, fertilizer granules and sprays stored out of reach; Pet Poison Helpline warns that larger ingestions of fertilizer can cause serious poisoning, and that added pesticides raise the risk.
Keep the plant tag, and before buying a similar-looking patterned plant, check its name in the ASPCA database. For other houseplants listed as non-toxic, see peperomia and Boston fern.
Frequently asked questions
Is a prayer plant safe for dogs?
ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs. Chewing it can still cause mild stomach upset, so keep it out of reach.
Is calathea the same as prayer plant?
They are close relatives in the family Marantaceae, and calatheas are often called prayer plants. ASPCA's prayer plant entry is filed under Calathea insignis and lists it as non-toxic.
Which patterned houseplants are not safe?
Dieffenbachia is a well-known one. ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, with mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting. Check any look-alike before it comes home.
Why do the leaves fold up at night?
It is a normal daily movement of the plant, which is how it got its name. It is not a sign that the plant is unsafe or unwell.
Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy