175 Plants Toxic for Cats – Full List (Avoid Them at Home)
Have you ever caught your cat chomping on your plants? It may look cute but there is a possibility that your kitty may experience poisoning from eating or touching plants. The real dilemma comes from knowing which plants are toxic for cats.
More than 100 plants are known to be toxic to cats. The most common are: onions, aloe, jade, pothos, borage, lavender, oregano, foxglove, irises, and yucca. However, toxic plants do not necessarily cause severe illness or death for cats unless consumed in large amounts. Nevertheless, this is a very unlikely case.
The majority of toxic plants cause only mild and moderate side effects, like contact dermatitis and stomach upset. However, some plants can be dangerous for cats.
Below is a table containing the full list of very toxic plants for cats.
Plant Categories | Highly Toxic Plants for Cats |
Houseplants | Dumbcanes Elephant Ears Eucalyptus Sago Palms |
Herbs | Epazote Meadow Saffrons Mugworts Poison Hemlock |
Flowering Plants | Aconites Amaryllis Arums Azaleas Baneberries Calla Lilies Carolina Horse Nettle Castor Bean Clematis Common Poppy Daphnes Daylilies Delphiniums Dogbanes Foxglove Gloriosa Lily Irises Jack in the Pulpit Laurels Lilies Mayapple Rain Lily Water Hemlock |
Fruiting Plants | Apricot Cherries Nectarine and Peach |
Vegetable-Bearing Plants | Eggplants Potatoes |
Vines, Shrubs, and Trees | Cherry Trees Doghobbles Florida Hobble Bush Japanese Pieris Locusts Maleberries Nightshades Oleander Rosary Pea Tree Tobacco Yellow Oleander Yews |
If a cat ingests or comes into contact with one of the plants above, immediately consult a veterinarian.
There’s another issue with identifying toxic from non-toxic plants. Many different plants look the same and have similar common names. Go through all the 175 toxic plants listed here to ensure your feline friend’s safety!
Do note that we excluded mushrooms from this list.
Can You Easily Tell Toxic Plants for Cats From Non-Toxic Ones?
Table of Contents
- 1 Can You Easily Tell Toxic Plants for Cats From Non-Toxic Ones?
- 2 32 Houseplants Toxic to Cats
- 3 25 Herbs Toxic to Cats
- 4 66 Flowering Plants Toxic to Cats
- 5 13 Fruiting Plants Toxic to Cats
- 6 9 Vegetable-Bearing Plants Toxic to Cats
- 7 30 Vines, Shrubs, and Trees That are Toxic to Cats
- 8 FAQs
- 9 Summary of 175 Plants Toxic for Cats
- 10 Sources
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to tell apart plants that are non-toxic from those that are toxic to cats. Again, the problem with identifying toxic plants is typically due to similar appearances and names of various plants.
But don’t worry! After finishing this article, you will be familiar with all the toxic plants for cats that have been recognized by experts [1, 2, 3].
In the succeeding sections, you will learn about the following plants that are toxic to cats:
- 32 houseplants
- 25 herbs
- 66 flowering plants
- 13 fruiting plants
- 9 vegetable-bearing plants
- 30 vines, shrubs, and trees
Also, keep in mind that even non-toxic plants can pose a risk to cats. For example, thorny plants could wound them. Ingestion of non-toxic plants could also induce gastrointestinal issues (e.g., indigestion) and result in choking for cats.
32 Houseplants Toxic to Cats
Unfortunately, many of our favorite houseplants are actually dangerous for our furry feline friends. Though most of the toxic houseplants listed below, such as Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus), are only mildly and/or moderately toxic, a few can lead to fatal consequences.
More specifically, most of these toxic houseplants normally only cause mild and brief cases of skin irritation or induce vomiting.
One of the most dangerous houseplants for cats is the Elephant Ear (Alocasia spp.). It can trigger severe skin irritation after contact. Deaths have also been documented for cats that have consumed large amounts of it.
Here is the full list of toxic houseplants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- Aloe Vera (Aloe vera): Mildly toxic
- American Evergreen (Syngonium podophyllum): Moderately toxic
- Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’): Mildly toxic
- Australian Ivy Palms (Schefflera spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Caladiums (Caladium spp.): Moderately toxic
- Cardboard Palms (Zamia spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Desert Roses (Adenium spp.): Mildly toxic
- Dracaenas (Dracaena spp.): Mildly toxic
- Dumbcanes (Dieffenbachia spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Elephant Ears (Alocasia spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): Moderately toxic
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.): Highly toxic
- Geranium Aralia (Polyscias guilfoylei): Mildly toxic
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Moderately toxic
- Jade Plants (Crassula spp.): Mildly toxic
- Kalanchoes (Kalanchoe spp.): Mildly toxic
- Ornamental Figs (Ficus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli): Mildly toxic
- Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.): Mildly toxic
- Piedmont Roseling (Callisia rosea): Mildly toxic
- Ragworts (Senecio spp.): Moderately toxic
- Sago Palms (Cycas spp.): Highly toxic
- Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus): Mildly toxic
- Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa): Mildly toxic
- String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus): Mildly toxic
- Tahitian Bridal Veil (Gibasis pellucida): Mildly toxic
- Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Moderately toxic
- Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa): Mildly toxic
- Wandering Jews (Tradescantia spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Wood Sorrels (Oxalis spp.): Mildly toxic
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Moderately toxic
25 Herbs Toxic to Cats
Herb gardens are undeniably both appealing and practical. Whether you have a large outdoor plot for it or a mini kitchen garden, your cats are likely going to take interest in them. But be warned, even common culinary and medicinal herbs can be poisonous to cats.
For the most part, herbs are only mildly toxic to cats. Interestingly, Catnip (Carum carvi) also falls under this category, acting as either a sedative or stimulant.
One of the most poisonous herbs for cats is Meadow Saffron (Colchicum spp.). If ingested, it can cause respiratory failure and severe organ damage in cats.
Here is the full list of toxic herbs, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- Borage (Borago officinalis): Mildly toxic
- Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum): Mildly toxic
- Caraway (Carum carvi): Mildly toxic
- Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Mildly toxic
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Mildly toxic
- Common Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): Mildly toxic
- Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides): Highly toxic
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): Mildly toxic
- Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus): Mildly toxic
- Jerusalem Oak (Dysphania botrys): Mildly toxic
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Mildly toxic
- Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus): Mildly toxic
- Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora): Mildly toxic
- Lovage (Levisticum officinale): Mildly toxic
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana): Mildly toxic
- Meadow Saffrons (Colchicum spp.): Highly toxic
- Mints (Mentha spp.): Mildly toxic
- Mugworts (Artemisia spp.): Highly toxic
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): Mildly toxic
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum): Mildly toxic
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Mildly toxic
- Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum): Highly toxic
- Spring Parsley (Cymopterus watsonii): Moderately toxic
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum spp.): Moderately toxic
- Wild Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus): Mildly toxic
66 Flowering Plants Toxic to Cats
Flowering plants are definitely a mainstay in indoor and outdoor gardens because of their gorgeous and vibrant blooms. However, not all beautiful things are safe for our cute furballs.
On average, the toxic flowering plants are moderately poisonous for cats. For example, your cat could simply get diarrhea after eating Clivia Lilies (Clivia spp.).
Lillies (Lilium spp.) are among the most poisonous flowering plants for cats. The ingestion of it could lead to serious kidney problems which will likely result in a cat’s death.
Here is the full list of toxic flowering plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- Aconites (Aconitum spp.): Highly toxic
- Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.): Highly toxic
- Arums (Arum spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Balloon Plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpa): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Baneberries (Actaea spp.): Highly toxic
- Begonias (Begonia spp.): Mildly toxic
- Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia reginae): Mildly toxic
- Bishop’s Weed (Ammi majus): Mildly toxic
- Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger): Moderately toxic
- Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Moderately toxic
- Carnations and Pinks (Dianthus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Carolina Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense): Highly toxic
- Castor Bean (Ricinus communis): Highly toxic
- Cherry Blossoms (Prunus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.): Mildly toxic
- Clematis (Clematis spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Clivia Lilies (Clivia spp.): Mildly toxic
- Common Poppy (Papaver somniferum): Highly toxic
- Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum): Mildly toxic
- Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii): Mildly toxic
- Daffodils (Narcissus spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Dahlia (Dahlia spp.): Mildly toxic
- Daphnes (Daphne spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.): HighlPoison Hemlock y toxic
- Death Camas (Zigadenus spp.): Moderately toxic
- Delphiniums (Delphinium spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Dogbanes (Apocynum spp.): Highly toxic
- Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata): Mildly toxic
- Flamingo Flower (Anthurium scherzeranum): Mildly toxic
- Fleabane (Erigeron speciosus): Mildly toxic
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): Highly toxic
- Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.): Mildly toxic
- Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba): Highly toxic
- Hippeastrums (Hippeastrum spp.): Moderately toxic
- Hosta (Hosta plataginea): Mildly toxic
- Hyacinths (Hyacinthus spp.): Moderately toxic
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.): Mildly toxic
- Irises (Iris spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum): Highly toxic
- Laurels (Kalmia spp.): Highly toxic
- Lilies (Lilium spp.): Highly toxic
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): Moderately toxic
- Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus rosea): Mildly toxic
- Marijuana (Cannabis sativa): Mildly toxic
- Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum): Highly toxic
- Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Morning Glories (Ipomoea spp.): Mildly toxic
- Ornamental Onions (Allium spp.): Mildly toxic
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.): Moderately toxic
- Peonies (Paeonia spp.): Mildly toxic
- Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius): Mildly toxic
- Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima): Mildly toxic
- Primroses (Primula spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Rain Lily (Zephyranthes atamasco): Highly toxic
- Ranger’s Buttons (Angelica capitellata): Mildly toxic
- Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus): Moderately toxic
- Small’s Ragwort (Packera anonyma): Moderately toxic
- Sowbreads (Cyclamen spp.): Mildly toxic
- Sword Lilies (Gladiolus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Tulips (Tulipa spp.): Mildly toxic
- Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata): Highly toxic
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Mildly toxic
13 Fruiting Plants Toxic to Cats
Fruits are juicy and delicious, so some pet parents think that sharing having fruiting plants around would be a great treat for cats. Despite such good intentions, fruiting plants may actually bring harm to our beloved cats.
Even though fruiting plants are by and large only mildly toxic to cats, there are still highly toxic ones as well.
On one hand, for instance, the milky sap from Figs (Ficus spp.) can cause dermatitis in cats.
Apricot stems, leaves, and/or seeds can cause serious health problems if ingested by a cat. Indeed, it is found that cats could fall into a coma after eating the stems, leaves, and seeds of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca).
Here is the full list of toxic fruiting plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- Apple (Malus sylvestris): Mildly toxic
- Apricot (Prunus armeniaca): Highly toxic
- Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa): Mildly toxic
- Cherries (Prunus spp.): Highly toxic
- Figs (Ficus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi): Mildly toxic
- Hardy Orange (Citrus trifoliata): Mildly toxic
- Key Lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia): Mildly toxic
- Lemon (Citrus x limon): Mildly toxic
- Nectarine and Peach (Prunus persica): Highly toxic
- Plums (Prunus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Seville Orange (Citrus x aurantium): Mildly toxic
- Sweet Orange (Citrus x sinensis): Mildly toxic
9 Vegetable-Bearing Plants Toxic to Cats
Nowadays, many people dream of living a sustainable life. To do that, one must have a vegetable garden. Unfortunately, some vegetable-bearing plants may also come with dangers for our lovely and curious cats.
Vegetables could be mildly, moderately, or highly toxic for your cats. If your cats decide to chomp on Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), they will most likely only experience salivation.
Eggplants are an example of highly dangerous fruit-bearing plants for cats. If eaten in large amounts, this can cause irregular heartbeats—arrhythmia—which can be fatal.
Here is the full list of toxic vegetable-bearing plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- Eggplants (Solanum melongena): Highly toxic
- Garlic (Allium sativum): Mildly toxic
- Leek (Allium ampeloprasum): Mildly toxic
- Onions (Allium spp.): Mildly toxic
- Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum): Highly toxic
- Purslane (Portulaca oleracea): Mildly toxic
- Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum): Moderately toxic
- Sorrels (Rumex spp.): Mildly toxic
- Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum): Moderately toxic
30 Vines, Shrubs, and Trees That are Toxic to Cats
Giving your cats supervised and leashed adventures in the outdoors is definitely going to benefit not only your cat but you as well. Sadly, a lot of seemingly harmless vines, shrubs, and trees could actually be quite toxic for our cute kitties.
As with the previous poisonous plants, the listed vines, shrubs, and trees have varying degrees of toxicity to cats. On one hand, Hollies (Ilex spp.) only cause vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats.
Oleander is a very highly toxic plant for cats. It could cause a large variety of problems, ranging from bloody diarrhea to even death in cats.
Here is the full list of toxic vines, shrubs, and trees, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:
- American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens): Mildly toxic
- American Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum): Moderately toxic
- Angelica Tree (Aralia spinosa): Mildly toxic
- Barbados Pride (Erythrostemon gilliesii): Mildly toxic
- Boxwoods (Buxus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Brunfelsias (Brunfelsia spp.): Mildly toxic
- Buckeyes (Aesculus spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus): Mildly toxic
- Burning Bushes (Euonymus spp.): Mildly toxic
- Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides): Mildly toxic
- Cherry Trees (Prunus spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Chinaberry (Melia azedarach): Moderately toxic
- Doghobbles (Leucothoe spp.): Highly toxic
- Florida Hobble Bush (Agarista populifolia): Highly toxic
- Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica): Mildly toxic
- Hollies (Ilex spp.): Mildly toxic
- Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica): Highly toxic
- Lantanas (Lantana spp.): Moderately toxic
- Locusts (Robinia spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Maleberries (Lyonia spp.): Mildly to highly toxic
- Nightshades (Solanum spp.): Highly toxic
- Oleander (Nerium oleander): Highly toxic
- Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius): Highly toxic
- Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis): Mildly toxic
- Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca): Highly toxic
- Wax-Leaf Privets (Ligustrum spp.): Moderately toxic
- Wisterias (Wisteria spp.): Mildly to moderately toxic
- Yellow Oleander (Cascabela thevetia): Highly toxic
- Yews (Taxus spp.): Moderately to highly toxic
- Yuccas (Yucca spp.): Mildly toxic
FAQs
What is cat grass?
This term identifies a variety of grass that are known to attract cats and are generally safe for them to eat. Normally, this is a mixture of barley, oat, rye, and/or wheat.
Can the severity of a plant’s toxicity on cats be affected by its age?
Yes, kittens are more likely to experience plant toxicity compared to adult cats. This is primarily due to their smaller size. In effect, kittens are more likely to experience acute effects for the same amount of toxins ingested. However, severe symptoms for young cats could prove fatal for older cats.
Are cats able to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic plants?
Wild cats can distinguish between toxic and non-toxic plants. However, domesticated cats generally cannot tell the difference between the two. Unless the plants readily give off aromatics or have a distinctly bitter taste that naturally repels cats, they will not get away from a plant.
Why do cats eat grass?
Expert veterinarians theorize that cats mainly eat cat grass for its fiber content. This may be helpful as a mild laxative and can also trigger vomiting to eliminate indigestible food and non-food items they may have consumed—deliberately or accidentally.
Is it possible for cats to still experience issues after eating safe plants?
Yes, cats can still have negative experiences as a result of eating generally safe and no-toxic plants. In such cases, they are mostly due to gastrointestinal blockage. Cats may also choke from big seeds or pits. Moreover, some non-toxic plants may still have physical defense mechanisms like thorns.
Summary of 175 Plants Toxic for Cats
- When selecting which plants to add to your home, make sure that they are not known to be toxic to cats. Though some are only mildly toxic, it is still recommended for pet owners to prevent their cats from having any access to toxic plants—regardless of whether they are placed indoors or outdoors.
- The severity in which a problematic plant will adversely affect cats varies greatly. On one end, it could only cause a mild and temporary case of dermatitis. But some plants can trigger toxic reactions and—in extreme and rare cases—long-lasting permanent damages to the animal and even death.
- Keep in mind that simple exposure to toxic plants rarely ever poison cats significantly. Poisoning will only result from 1) prolonged direct contact and 2) substantial ingestion of a toxic plant or specific parts of it. Nevertheless, veterinarians should be contacted if poisoning is suspected in cats.
yourindoorherbs.com is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites like mine to earn advertising fees by promoting good quality Amazon.com products. I may receive a small commission when you buy through links on my website.
Sources
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List – Cats by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox by N.C. Cooperative Extension in https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/
- Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals by Cornell of Agriculture and Life Sciences in http://poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu/index.html