Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Philodendron Poisonous to Alpacas?

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) — a houseplant. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
!

Yes — philodendron is toxic to alpacas.

Keep it out of pastures, hay and reach of fences, and never feed trimmings.

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.). Photo: Liné1, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Philodendron spp.
Family
Araceae
Plant type
Houseplant
Toxic parts
Leaves and stems
Toxic compound
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals

Why it matters

Relevant for therapy alpacas visiting indoor spaces.

Signs of philodendron poisoning in alpacas

  • Drooling and pawing at the mouth
  • Swollen lips, tongue and mouth
  • Refusing feed
  • Mild colic

Signs can appear within minutes (cyanide, cardiac toxins) or only after weeks of exposure (liver toxins). Many poisoned camelids are simply found dead, so prevention is everything.

What to do if your alpaca ate philodendron

  1. Move the herd away and remove any remaining plant material, clippings or fallen leaves.
  2. Call your veterinarian immediately, even if the alpaca looks normal. Say what was eaten, roughly how much and when.
  3. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to help identification.
  4. Do not give home remedies, oils or try to make the alpaca vomit unless your vet tells you to.
  5. Keep the animal quiet, in shade or shelter, with water available. Write down the time and every symptom you see.
  6. Check every other alpaca that had access, then remove the plant permanently (including roots).

Emergency: call your veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach them, contact an animal poison control service (in the U.S., the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline; fees may apply). Bring a sample or photo of the plant.

About the plant

Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. As of September 2025, the Plants of the World Online accepted 625 species; other sources accept different numbers. Regardless of number of species, the genus is the second-largest member of the family Araceae, after genus Anthurium. Taxonomically, the genus Philodendron is still poorly known, with many undescribed species. Many are grown as ornamental and indoor plants. The name derives from the Greek words philo- 'love, affection' and dendron 'tree'. The generic name, Philodendron, is often used as the English name.From Wikipedia — “Philodendron”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 105,596 recorded observations of Philodendron Schott worldwide, including 1,645 in the United States. It belongs to the Araceae family, together with Dieffenbachia, Peace Lily, Pothos. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is philodendron poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — philodendron is toxic to alpacas. Relevant for therapy alpacas visiting indoor spaces.
What part of philodendron is toxic to alpacas?
Leaves and stems.
What are the symptoms of philodendron poisoning?
Drooling and pawing at the mouth, swollen lips, tongue and mouth, refusing feed and mild colic.
Is dried philodendron safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.

Keeping pastures safe

  • Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
  • Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
  • Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
  • Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
  • Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.

Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.

Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q131880.