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Plants that are toxic to cats

71 entries in the journal

A toxic rating on this page means the ASPCA’s list of plants toxic and non toxic to cats and dogs names the plant as poisonous to cats, or, where the ASPCA has no entry, that the poison control source printed under the plant does. It does not say how ill a cat will be. A mouthful of a calcium oxalate plant such as a monstera or a pothos burns the mouth and is miserable, but it rarely does lasting harm. A lily can end in kidney failure. The rating is the same word for both, and the entry for each plant says which it is, with the toxic principle named where the source gives it.

The list is not only houseplants

Aloe, jade plant, snake plant and ivy are on it, as are lavender, mint, oregano and parsley, the onion family, tomato leaves, rhubarb and lemon. So are the spring bulbs: daffodil, tulip and hyacinth. A plant sold as a herb or a vegetable has no special standing with the ASPCA. If a cat shares the house or the garden, the whole list is worth a look, and not just the shelf by the window.

The one that is for cats alone

The Easter lily is rated toxic to cats and non toxic to dogs. Its entry says cats are the only species known to be affected, that the result is kidney failure and possible death, and that the plant and its cut flowers should not be kept in a house with a cat. Most of the other plants here are rated toxic to dogs as well, and the list for dogs is a separate page.

Entries that are not yet checked

Some entries on this page carry a note that they have not yet been checked. The rule on every page of the journal applies: a toxic rating is shown where a source gives one, but no pet is listed as safe until the entry has been checked. A rating shown here is therefore a reason for caution, and the absence of a plant from the page is not a reason for confidence.

If a cat has eaten one

Take the cat away from the plant, keep a piece of it or its label, note roughly how much went in and when, and telephone your vet. Do not wait to see whether signs appear. The guide on what to do if a pet eats a plant sets out the steps, what not to do and which numbers to save before you need them. To look up one plant for a cat or a dog, use the pet safety tool.

The entries

A toxic rating is shown where a source gives one, but no pet is listed as safe until the entry has been checked. Do not rely on this page to find a safe plant.

  • Aloe vera

    Aloe veraToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, aloe entry.

  • Amaryllis

    Hippeastrum hybridsToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Barbados Lily (Hippeastrum spp.) entry; Pet Poison Helpline, amaryllis entry.

  • Arrowhead vine

    Syngonium podophyllumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Arrow-Head Vine (Syngonium podophyllum) entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, syngonium-podophyllum page.

  • Asparagus fern

    Asparagus densiflorusToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Asparagus Fern entry; Pet Poison Helpline, asparagus fern entry.

  • Box

    Buxus sempervirensToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Boxwood entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, buxus-sempervirens page.

  • Cherry laurel

    Prunus laurocerasusToxic to cats

    Source: Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), not ASPCA, which has no cherry laurel entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Prunus laurocerasus page.

  • Chinese evergreen

    Aglaonema commutatumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, Chinese evergreen entry.

  • Chives

    Allium schoenoprasumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Chives entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, allium-schoenoprasum page.

  • Clivia

    Clivia miniataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, the Clivia miniata entry, listed under an old common name; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, clivia-miniata page.

  • Corn plant

    Dracaena fragransToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, dracaena-fragrans page.

  • Daffodil

    Narcissus pseudonarcissusToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Daffodil entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, narcissus-pseudonarcissus page.

  • Dragon tail

    Epipremnum pinnatumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Devil's Ivy entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, epipremnum-pinnatum page.

  • Dragon tree

    Dracaena marginataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Dracaena page.

  • Dumb cane

    Dieffenbachia seguineToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Dumbcane entry; Pet Poison Helpline, gold dieffenbachia entry.

  • English ivy

    Hedera helixToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, English ivy entry.

  • Flaming Katy

    Kalanchoe blossfeldianaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Kalanchoe entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, kalanchoe-blossfeldiana page.

  • Garden privet

    Ligustrum ovalifoliumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Privet (L. japonicum) and Common Privet (L. vulgare) entries; Pet Poison Helpline, privet entry.

  • Garlic

    Allium sativumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Chives and Onion entries; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, allium-sativum page.

  • Geranium

    Pelargonium hortorumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Geranium entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, pelargonium-hortorum page.

  • Heartleaf philodendron

    Philodendron hederaceumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Philodendron hederaceum page.

  • Hosta

    Hosta sieboldianaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Plantain Lily entry.

  • Hyacinth

    Hyacinthus orientalisToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Hyacinth entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Hyacinthus orientalis page.

  • Hydrangea

    Hydrangea macrophyllaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Hydrangea entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Hydrangea macrophylla page.

  • Inch plant

    Tradescantia zebrinaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Inch Plant entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Tradescantia zebrina page.

  • Jade plant

    Crassula ovataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, jade plant entry.

  • Lavender

    Lavandula angustifoliaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Lavandula angustifolia page.

  • Lucky bamboo

    Dracaena sanderianaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Ribbon Plant entry for Dracaena species; Pet Poison Helpline, Dracaena entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Dracaena page.

  • Mint

    Mentha spicataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Mentha spicata page.

  • Oregano

    Origanum vulgareToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) entry.

  • Potato

    Solanum tuberosumToxic to cats

    Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, solanum-tuberosum page; ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list (no potato entry; tomato plant and nightshade entries toxic); RHS, How to grow potatoes (green tubers).

  • Pothos

    Epipremnum aureumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Epipremnum aureum page.

  • Purple heart

    Tradescantia pallidaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Inch Plant entry (a related species); NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, tradescantia-pallida page; RHS, Tradescantia pallida.

  • Purple shamrock

    Oxalis triangularisToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, shamrock entry for Oxalis species; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, oxalis-triangularis page.

  • Rhubarb

    Rheum rhabarbarumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Rhubarb entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, rheum-rhabarbarum page.

  • Rubber plant

    Ficus elasticaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Ficus entries; Pet Poison Helpline, rubber tree plant entry.

  • Satin pothos

    Scindapsus pictusToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, scindapsus-pictus page.

  • Snake plant

    Dracaena trifasciataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Dracaena page.

  • Song of India

    Dracaena reflexaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Malaysian Dracaena entry; Pet Poison Helpline, Dracaena entry.

  • Swiss cheese plant

    Monstera deliciosaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Monstera deliciosa page.

  • Swiss cheese vine

    Monstera adansoniiToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Cutleaf Philodendron entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, monstera-adansonii page.

  • Tree philodendron

    Philodendron bipinnatifidumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Tree Philodendron entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, philodendron-bipinnatifidum page.

  • Tulip

    Tulipa gesnerianaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Tulip entry; RHS, Tulipa gesneriana (harmful to pets if eaten).

  • Umbrella plant

    Schefflera arboricolaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Schefflera entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, schefflera-arboricola page.

  • Yucca

    Yucca giganteaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Yucca gigantea page.

  • ZZ plant

    Zamioculcas zamiifoliaToxic to cats

    Source: Not in the ASPCA plant list, but the ZZ plant genus is named among toxic houseplants in the ASPCA article These Houseplants Can Cause Trouble for Your Pets (13 October 2025); insoluble calcium oxalate raphides; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Zamioculcas zamiifolia page.

  • Apple

    Malus domesticaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Apple entry.

  • Bird of paradise

    Strelitzia reginaeToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, bird of paradise entry.

  • Blushing philodendron

    Philodendron erubescensToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Red Emerald and Philodendron Pertusum (Philodendron spp) entries; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, philodendron-erubescens page.

  • Caladium

    Caladium hortulanumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Caladium entry; Pet Poison Helpline, caladium entry.

  • Creeping fig

    Ficus pumilaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Fig entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, ficus-pumila page.

  • Cyclamen

    Cyclamen persicumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Cyclamen entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, cyclamen-persicum page.

  • Dahlia

    Dahlia pinnataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Dahlia entry.

  • Easter lily

    Lilium longiflorumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Easter Lily entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, lilium-longiflorum page.

  • Elephant's ear

    Colocasia esculentaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Malanga (Colocasia esculenta) entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, colocasia-esculenta page.

  • Flamingo flower

    Anthurium andraeanumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, anthurium entry.

  • Ginseng ficus

    Ficus microcarpaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Fig entry; Pet Poison Helpline, Ficus entry.

  • Golden dewdrop

    Duranta erectaToxic to cats

    Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Golden Dewdrop; Scanlan and others, Duranta erecta poisoning in nine dogs and a cat, Australian Veterinary Journal 84(10), 2006 (not ASPCA, which has no entry).

  • Onion

    Allium cepaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Chives and Onion entries; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, allium-cepa page.

  • Parsley

    Petroselinum crispumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Parsley entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, petroselinum-crispum page.

  • Peace lily

    Spathiphyllum wallisiiToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, peace lily entry.

  • Polka dot begonia

    Begonia maculataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Begonia entry.

  • Rex begonia

    Begonia rexToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Rex Begonia entry.

  • String of pearls

    Curio rowleyanusToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Senecio rowleyanus page.

  • Ti plant

    Cordyline fruticosaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Ti-Plant entry; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, cordyline-fruticosa page.

  • Tomato

    Solanum lycopersicumToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Tomato Plant entry; Pet Poison Helpline, tomato plant entry.

  • Weeping fig

    Ficus benjaminaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Fig entry; Pet Poison Helpline, weeping fig entry.

  • Alocasia

    Alocasia x amazonicaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list; Pet Poison Helpline, Alocasia entry.

  • Croton

    Codiaeum variegatumToxic to cats

    Source: Not on the ASPCA list; spurge family latex; Pet Poison Helpline, croton entry.

  • Fiddle-leaf fig

    Ficus lyrataToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list, Ficus entries; Pet Poison Helpline, Ficus entry; Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia), fiddle leaf fig article.

  • Lemon

    Citrus limonToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Lemon entry; Inner West Council (NSW), Dangerous foods and plants.

  • Zebra alocasia

    Alocasia zebrinaToxic to cats

    Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Alocasia entry; Pet Poison Helpline, Alocasia entry.

Questions from the margin

Where does a toxic rating come from?
From the ASPCA's list of plants toxic and non toxic to cats and dogs. For some plants the ASPCA entry covers a close relative or a whole genus, and for a few it has no entry at all. The entry says so in those cases and names the poison control source it rests on instead, and that source is printed under each plant on this page.
Is a plant that is not on this page safe for a cat?
Not necessarily. It may be safe, or it may simply not have been rated. The only plants called safe are on the pet safe page, and only after the entry has been checked against its source.
What should I do if my cat has eaten one of these plants?
Keep a piece of the plant, note roughly how much went in and when, and telephone your vet. Take the plant or a photograph with you. Most cases are mild, and the ones that are not depend on how quickly somebody knew what the plant was.