Toxic Plants for Cats

Houseplants and garden plants that can harm cats — plus a list of commonly non-toxic options.

Safe plants →

Lilies — The #1 Danger for Cats

All Lilium and Hemerocallis species can cause fatal kidney failure. Even pollen groomed off fur is lethal. Act within hours.

DANGEROUS →

Lily

Dangerous

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS — the #1 plant poison for cats. Even pollen is lethal.

Plant

Sago Palm

Dangerous

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS — liver failure, often fatal.

Plant

Oleander

Dangerous

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS — cardiac glycosides, potentially fatal.

Plant

Castor Bean

Dangerous

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS — ricin causes organ failure.

Plant

Foxglove

Dangerous

Dangerous — digitalis glycosides affect the heart.

Plant

Yew

Dangerous

Dangerous — taxine alkaloids can stop the heart.

Plant

Tulip

Toxic

Toxic — bulbs are most dangerous, causes GI upset.

Plant

Pothos (Devil's Ivy)

Toxic

Toxic — calcium oxalate crystals cause oral and GI irritation.

Plant

Philodendron

Toxic

Toxic — calcium oxalate crystals cause oral and GI irritation.

Plant

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Toxic

Toxic — calcium oxalate raphides cause severe oral swelling.

Plant

Azalea

Toxic

Toxic — grayanotoxins cause cardiac and GI effects.

Plant

Chrysanthemum

Toxic

Toxic — pyrethrins cause GI and neurological effects.

Plant

Lily of the Valley

Toxic

Toxic — cardiac glycosides affect the heart.

Plant

English Ivy

Toxic

Toxic — triterpenoid saponins cause GI upset.

Plant

Cyclamen

Toxic

Toxic — roots are most dangerous, causes severe GI effects.

Plant

Kalanchoe

Toxic

Toxic — bufadienolides affect the heart.

Plant

Wisteria

Toxic

Toxic — all parts contain a compound that causes vomiting and diarrhea; seeds and pods are most concentrated.

Plant

Aloe

Toxic

Toxic — the latex in aloe causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Plant

Jade plant

Toxic

Toxic — Crassula species cause vomiting and depression in cats.

Plant

Snake plant

Toxic

Toxic — saponins cause drooling and vomiting if chewed.

Plant

ZZ plant

Toxic

Toxic — calcium oxalate crystals, same family of mouth pain as pothos.

Plant

Monstera

Toxic

Toxic — calcium oxalate crystals in a very fashionable houseplant.

Plant

Holly

Toxic

Toxic — berries and leaves cause gastrointestinal upset.

Plant

Mistletoe

Toxic

Toxic — berries can cause gut signs; some species affect the heart.

Plant

Amaryllis

Toxic

Toxic — lycorine is concentrated in the bulb.

Plant

Daffodil

Toxic

Toxic — bulbs are the worst part; lycorine causes severe vomiting.

Plant

Hyacinth

Toxic

Toxic — bulbs cause intense gastrointestinal irritation.

Plant

Dracaena (corn plant)

Toxic

Toxic — saponins cause drooling and vomiting.

Plant

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Caution

Caution — mild calcium oxalate irritation (less severe than true lilies).

Plant

Poinsettia

Caution

Caution — usually mild drooling, not the holiday death-plant of urban legend.

Plant

Silvervine (Matatabi)

Safe

Yes — safe. A natural cat attractant similar to catnip, generally used in treats and toys.

Plant

Spider plant

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic. Cats still may vomit from eating grass-like leaves.

Plant

Boston fern

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic to cats.

Plant

Parlor palm

Safe

Yes — a commonly recommended non-toxic palm. Not a sago palm.

Plant

African violet

Safe

Yes — Saintpaulia is commonly listed as non-toxic.

Plant

Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic. A safer bouquet stand-in than lilies.

Plant

Calathea

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic (many are now sold as Goeppertia).

Plant

Prayer plant (Maranta)

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic.

Plant

Peperomia

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic.

Plant

Haworthia

Safe

Yes — a non-toxic succulent often confused with aloe or snake plant.

Plant

Pilea (Chinese money plant)

Safe

Yes — commonly listed as non-toxic.

Plant