Is Fortune's Basket Fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fortune's basket fern as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Drynaria fortunei is not individually listed by the ASPCA. While true ferns are generally considered non-toxic, this genus is used medicinally in traditional herbal preparations, and its safety for pets has not been formally evaluated. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution.

Drynaria fortunei is not individually listed by the ASPCA. While true ferns are generally considered non-toxic, this genus is used medicinally in traditional herbal preparations, and its safety for pets has not been formally evaluated. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to fortune's basket fern.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Fortune's Basket Fern is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full fortune's basket fern pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.