Plants Toxic to Cats: The Complete List

Many common houseplants and garden plants are toxic — sometimes fatally — to cats. This is a comprehensive reference list organized by toxicity level. If you suspect your cat has ingested any of these plants, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.

Extremely Dangerous (Can Be Fatal)

Lilies (all varieties): True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts — a few petals, leaves, or pollen — can cause acute kidney failure. This is a veterinary emergency.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): All parts are toxic, especially the seeds. Causes liver failure. Mortality rate is high even with treatment.
Oleander (Nerium oleander): Causes severe cardiac abnormalities. All parts are toxic.
Azalea / Rhododendron: Causes vomiting, drooling, weakness, and potentially fatal cardiac effects.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale): Causes severe gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure.
Yew (Taxus): Causes sudden death from cardiac failure. All parts except the red berry flesh are toxic.

Highly Toxic

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane): Causes intense oral burning, drooling, and difficulty swallowing
Philodendron: Causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting
Pothos / Devil's Ivy: Causes oral irritation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting (note: not a true lily, but still toxic)
Caladium: Causes oral burning, drooling, vomiting
Elephant Ear: Similar to caladium
Amaryllis: Causes vomiting, depression, tremors, anorexia
Daffodil / Narcissus: Bulbs especially toxic; causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions
Tulip: Bulbs most toxic; causes drooling, vomiting, depression
Hyacinth: Bulbs most toxic; similar to tulip
Cyclamen: Roots most toxic; causes vomiting, diarrhea, seizures
Kalanchoe: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm
Lantana: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, liver failure

Moderately Toxic

Aloe Vera: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
ZZ Plant: Causes vomiting and diarrhea
Jade Plant: Causes vomiting, depression, incoordination
English Ivy: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, drooling
Wisteria: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Chrysanthemum: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, incoordination

What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Toxic Plant

Identify the plant if possible
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately
Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a vet
Bring a sample of the plant to the vet if possible

Providing a Safe Alternative

Give your cat their own safe plant to interact with. The Wooden Cat Grass Planter with Anti-Digging Design provides cat-safe wheatgrass that satisfies the urge to chew on plants without any toxicity risk.

Final Thoughts

When in doubt, keep plants out of reach or remove them entirely. No houseplant is worth a veterinary emergency. See our companion article for a complete list of plants that are safe for cats.

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