Plants Toxic to Cats
Every plant on this page is confirmed toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Sorted by danger level — most dangerous first.
135 toxic plants · 41 severe · 44 moderate · 50 mild
Severe — Veterinary Emergency
These plants can cause organ failure or death in cats. Lilies are especially dangerous — even pollen or vase water can be fatal. Any ingestion requires immediate emergency vet care.
True Lily
Lilium spp.
Easter Lily, Tiger Lily, Asiatic Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
Rhododendron, Rosebay
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Hemerocallis, Orange Daylily, Tiger Daylily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Stargazer Lily
Lilium 'Stargazer'
Oriental Lily, Stargazer
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Rhododendron
Rhododendron spp.
Rosebay, Great Laurel
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Easter Lily
Lilium longiflorum
Bermuda Lily, Trumpet Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
Cycas, Coontie Palm, Japanese Sago
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Tiger Lily
Lilium lancifolium
Lilium lancifolium, Devil Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Asiatic Lily
Lilium asiaticum
Asiatic Hybrid Lily, Garden Lily, Dwarf Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: mild
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
May Bells, Our Lady's Tears, Convallaria
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Desert Rose
Adenium obesum
Adenium, Mock Azalea, Impala Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Oleander
Nerium oleander
Nerium, Rose Bay, Jericho Rose
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Mother of Thousands
Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Alligator Plant, Mexican Hat Plant, Devil's Backbone
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata
Taxus, Spreading Yew, Buddhist Pine
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Lantana
Lantana camara
Shrub Verbena, Red Sage, Yellow Sage
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis, Dead Man's Bells, Fairy Gloves
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Larkspur
Consolida ajacis
Annual Delphinium, Knight's Spur, Lark's Heel
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Mother of Millions
Kalanchoe delagoensis
Devil's Backbone, Chandelier Plant, Kalanchoe Delagoensis
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Yew
Taxus spp.
Japanese Yew, English Yew, Taxus
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Delphinium
Delphinium spp.
Larkspur, Staggerweed
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Japanese Pieris
Pieris japonica
Andromeda, Lily of the Valley Bush, Pieris japonica
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Cherry Laurel
Prunus laurocerasus
English Laurel, Common Laurel
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Meadow Saffron, Colchicum, Naked Lady
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Pie Plant, Garden Rhubarb
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Yellow Jessamine, Gelsemium, Evening Trumpet Flower
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Bird Cherry
Prunus padus
Wild Cherry, Prunus padus
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia spp.
Brugmansia, Datura, Devil's Trumpet
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Kalmia
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Cardboard Palm
Zamia furfuracea
Dioon, Zamia, Coontie
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Tobacco Plant
Nicotiana tabacum
Nicotiana, Flowering Tobacco, Tree Tobacco
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Night-Blooming Jessamine
Cestrum nocturnum
Night Cestrum, Lady of the Night, Queen of the Night
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Castor Bean
Ricinus communis
Castor Oil Plant, Ricinus, Palma Christi
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Aconite
Aconitum napellus
Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Devil's Helmet
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Glory Lily
Gloriosa superba
Flame Lily, Gloriosa, Climbing Lily
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
Brunfelsia spp.
Brunfelsia, Lady of the Night, Kiss Me Quick
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Deadly Nightshade
Atropa belladonna
Belladonna, Devil's Berries, Death Cherries
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Mexican Cycad
Dioon edule
Dioon edule, Palma de la Virgen
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Poison Hemlock
Conium maculatum
Devil's Bread, Poison Parsley, Winter Fern
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Corn Lily
Veratrum spp.
False Hellebore, Indian Poke, Skunk Cabbage
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Water Hemlock
Cicuta maculata
Cowbane, Poison Parsnip, Cicuta
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Mandrake
Mandragora officinarum
Mandragora, Satan's Apple, Devil's Candle
Cats: Severe
Dogs: severe
Moderate — Call Your Vet
These plants cause significant symptoms in cats. Contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron, Hurricane Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos, Epipremnum
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum spp.
Spathiphyllum, White Sails, Closet Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Philodendron
Philodendron spp.
Heartleaf Philodendron, Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron, Elephant Ear Philodendron
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Sweetheart Plant, Philodendron Scandens, Cordatum
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Tulip
Tulipa spp.
Garden Tulip, Dutch Tulip
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'
PPP, Pink Princess
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Daffodil
Narcissus spp.
Narcissus, Jonquil, Paper White
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans
Dracaena fragrans, Mass Cane, Fortune Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron 'Birkin'
White Wave Philodendron, Birkin Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata
Dracaena Marginata, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Red-Edged Dracaena
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Common Ivy, Hedera, Branching Ivy
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Anthurium
Anthurium spp.
Flamingo Flower, Tailflower, Laceleaf
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Alocasia
Alocasia spp.
Elephant Ear, African Mask Plant, Kris Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Arrowhead Plant
Syngonium podophyllum
Syngonium, Nephthytis, Arrowhead Vine
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum spp.
Mum, Daisy, Chrysanth
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema spp.
Aglaonema, Philippine Evergreen
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Schefflera
Schefflera actinophylla
Umbrella Tree, Umbrella Plant, Octopus Tree
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Caladium
Caladium spp.
Elephant Ears, Angel Wings, Heart of Jesus
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe spp.
Mother of Thousands, Devil's Backbone, Chandelier Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia spp.
Dumb Cane, Leopard Lily, Tropic Snow
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Amaryllis
Hippeastrum spp.
Belladonna Lily, Saint Joseph Lily, Cape Belladonna
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Arum Lily, Zantedeschia, Trumpet Lily
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus spp.
Gum Tree, Silver Dollar
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Coffee Plant
Coffea arabica
Arabian Coffee, Coffea, Coffee Tree
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Garden Hyacinth, Dutch Hyacinth
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Lady in a Bath, Dutchman's Breeches, Lyre Flower
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Ti Plant
Cordyline fruticosa
Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Plant, Cordyline
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Elephant Ear Taro, Colocasia, Dasheen
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Panda Plant
Kalanchoe tomentosa
Chocolate Soldier, Pussy Ears, Kalanchoe Tomentosa
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
String of Bananas
Curio radicans
Senecio radicans, Banana Vine, Fishhook Senecio
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: mild
Lemon Lime Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum 'Lemon Lime'
Philodendron Hederaceum Lemon Lime, Neon Philodendron, Lemon Lime Plant
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Pencil Cactus
Euphorbia tirucalli
Firestick Plant, Milk Bush, Euphorbia tirucalli
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum
Persian Violet, Sowbread
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Wisteria
Wisteria spp.
Chinese Wisteria, Japanese Wisteria
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Marijuana
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis, Hemp, Weed
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Hellebore
Helleborus orientalis
Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, Winter Rose
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Box, Common Box, Buxus
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Morning Glory
Ipomoea spp.
Ipomoea, Bindweed
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Lupine
Lupinus spp.
Lupin, Bluebonnet
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Clivia
Clivia miniata
Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily, Natal Lily
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Chinese Lantern
Physalis alkekengi
Winter Cherry, Japanese Lantern, Bladder Cherry
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Privet
Ligustrum vulgare
Ligustrum, Common Privet, Wax-Leaf Privet
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Mistletoe
Phoradendron spp.
American Mistletoe, European Mistletoe
Cats: Moderate
Dogs: moderate
Mild — Monitor at Home
These plants cause mild symptoms in cats, usually self-resolving. Contact vet if symptoms persist beyond 24 hours.
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Sansevieria, Dracaena trifasciata
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Ficus lyrata, Banjo Fig, Fiddle Fig
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Aloe, Burn Plant, Medicine Plant
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Zamioculcas, Zanzibar Gem, Eternity Plant
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Monstera Adansonii
Monstera adansonii
Swiss Cheese Vine, Monkey Mask, Five Holes Plant
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree, Ficus elastica
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Crane Flower, Strelitzia
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Avocado
Persea americana
Avocado Tree, Alligator Pear
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
Crassula, Money Plant, Lucky Plant
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Christmas Star, Christmas Plant, Mexican Flame Leaf
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
English Lavender, French Lavender, True Lavender
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Weeping Fig
Ficus benjamina
Ficus, Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hortensia, Hills of Snow
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Satin Pothos
Scindapsus pictus
Silver Pothos, Silk Pothos, Silver Philodendron
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Mini Monstera
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma, Philodendron Ginny, Monstera Minima
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus
Senecio rowleyanus, String of Beads, Rosary Plant
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Begonia
Begonia spp.
Wax Begonia, Rex Begonia, Angel Wing Begonia
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Ribbon Dracaena, Chinese Water Bamboo
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Geranium
Pelargonium spp.
Pelargonium, Storksbill, Cranesbill
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Tradescantia
Tradescantia spp.
Spiderwort, Inch Plant, Purple Heart
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Aglaonema Silver Bay
Aglaonema 'Silver Bay'
Silver Bay Chinese Evergreen, Painted Drop Tongue
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Tomato Plant
Solanum lycopersicum
Tomato Vine, Solanum lycopersicum
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Rose of Sharon, Chinese Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Hosta
Hosta spp.
Plantain Lily, Funkia, Giboshi
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Ficus Audrey
Ficus benghalensis
Banyan Tree, Bengal Fig, Ficus Benghalensis
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus
Emerald Feather, Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Garden Croton, Joseph's Coat, Variegated Laurel
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Spring Crocus
Crocus vernus
Dutch Crocus, Giant Crocus
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Oxalis
Oxalis triangularis
Shamrock Plant, Purple Shamrock, False Shamrock
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Begonia Rex
Begonia rex-cultorum
Rex Begonia, Painted Leaf Begonia, King Begonia
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Ficus Tineke
Ficus elastica 'Tineke'
Tineke Rubber Plant, Variegated Rubber Plant, Ficus Elastica Tineke
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
Cape Jasmine, Gardenia jasminoides
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Iris
Iris spp.
Flag, Bearded Iris, German Iris
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
Painted Nettle, Flame Nettle, Plectranthus
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Garden Parsley, Italian Parsley
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Holly
Ilex spp.
English Holly, American Holly, Winterberry
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Clematis
Clematis spp.
Leather Flower, Virgin's Bower
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Agave
Agave americana
Century Plant, American Aloe, Maguey
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Yucca
Yucca spp.
Spanish Bayonet, Adam's Needle, Spineless Yucca
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus praecox
Agapanthus, African Lily, Blue Lily
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Mandevilla
Mandevilla spp.
Rock Trumpet, Dipladenia, Brazilian Jasmine
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Plumeria
Plumeria rubra
Frangipani, Hawaiian Lei Flower, Temple Tree
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Buttercup
Ranunculus spp.
Ranunculus, Coyote's Eyes, Crowfoot
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Lathyrus, Everlasting Pea
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Boston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Japanese Creeper, Woodbine, Virginia Creeper (confused)
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Ornamental Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Christmas Pepper, Capsicum, Decorative Chili
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii
Christ Plant, Christ Thorn
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Common Nettle, Urtica
Cats: Mild
Dogs: mild
Cats and Toxic Plants — What You Need to Know
Cats are more vulnerable to certain plant toxins than dogs. True Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are the most dangerous — even small amounts of pollen, a single leaf, or water from the vase can cause fatal kidney failure within 24-72 hours. If your cat has any contact with a lily, treat it as an emergency.
Looking for cat-safe plants? See our complete safe plants list.