All cat parents should know the most common plants that are poisonous to cats. Whether in your yard or in your home, you’ll want to keep certain plants and flowers away from your feline companions. The toxicity of various plants and flowers can range from mild to severe, depending on the poisonous component of the plant.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reported that in 2021, nearly 10 percent of all calls were related to pets ingesting plants toxic to them, making it fifth on their list of the top 10 pet toxins.
"It is best to familiarize yourself with the list of toxic plants and keep these types of plants out of your home or garden for the health and safety of your pet," says Dr. Tina Wismer, DVM, DABVT, DABT, the center’s medical director. "For indoor plants, cats are likely to ingest the plants. Make sure to keep all plants out of paws' reach. Cats are good climbers, so it's best to move plants to a safe place they cannot access and don’t underestimate their ability to get at things that are high up."
One plant that is extremely dangerous to cats is the lily.
"Lilies are a very big deal because they cause acute, potentially fatal kidney failure," says integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne, DVM, of the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Dr. Osborne once treated a very sick cat who, as it turned out, had ingested a lily. The cat was hospitalized, treated with intravenous fluids and given supportive care to restore her kidney function. Because the cat’s parent took her in right away, she survived her dangerous encounter with the lily plant—and the parent learned a valuable lesson: "Cats and plants don’t really mix," Dr. Osborne says.
So, what plants should cat parents be on the lookout to avoid? Start with this list of plants that are poisonous to cats, which rounds up the varieties you and your feline are most likely to encounter.

Autumn Crocus

The autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), also known as meadow saffron or naked lady, is a common ornamental flowering plant that blooms in the fall. Autumn crocus is poisonous to dogs, cats and horses, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. It’s especially toxic to cats because of its alkaloid colchicine content, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. All parts of the plant are highly toxic.
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, cats that ingest autumn crocus may show gastrointestinal signs (for instance, drooling, vomiting and bloody diarrhea), breathing difficulties, seizures, kidney and liver damage, and even death. Symptoms might be evident shortly after ingestion or could take days to show up.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) are related species of flowering shrubs and small trees that are toxic to cats. There are more than 1,000 species in this family of plants, and the degree of toxicity varies from moderate to severe, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. The toxic component is called grayanotoxins. All parts of the plant are toxic and a cat can become poisoned by ingesting a tiny amount of the plant.
Symptoms of azalea or rhododendron poisoning, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, include gastrointestinal signs (drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite), heart arrhythmias, weakness, tremors, transient blindness, seizures, coma, and death). If you have this species in your yard, don’t allow your cat to come into contact with it, and avoid bringing flowers or plant clippings into the house.
Cyclamen

Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.), also known as Persian violet and sowbread, is a genus of more than 20 species of perennial flowering plants that are often kept indoors. The tubers and roots are the most toxic, but all parts of the plant contain the toxic component, saponins, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, signs of cyclamen toxicity involving small amounts of the plant include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. If a cat ingests large quantities of cyclamen, it can experience abnormal heart rate and rhythm, seizures and death. Cat parents should not keep this houseplant indoors.
Narcissus (including Daffodils)

Most plants that fall into the genus Narcissus, including daffodils (also called jonquil, paper white or Narcissus), are flowering spring perennials. All parts of the plant contain the poisonous agent lycorine, but the bulbs are the most toxic, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
Lycorine causes drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In some cases, cats who ingest daffodils and other plants in the Narcissus genus experience cardiac arrhythmias, extremely low blood pressure, breathing difficulties and convulsions, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Cat parents should not keep daffodils or related plants in the house, and should not plant daffodils in the yard if the cat has access. Gardeners must take care to keep daffodil bulbs away from cats.
Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is (Dieffenbachia spp.), known as charming dieffenbachia, dumb cane, exotica perfection, giant dumb cane, gold dieffenbachia, spotted dumb cane, tropic snow, and variable dieffenbachia, is part of a genus of tropical flowering plants in the Araceae family.
This common houseplant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation (burning feeling in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing), according to the Pet Poison Helpline. Although generally not deadly, exposure to this plant is painful and extremely uncomfortable for cats, so these plants should not be kept in homes with cats.
Kalanchoe

The flowering houseplant kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) is also known as mother-in-law plant, devil’s backbone, mother-of-millions and chandelier plant.
All parts of this plant contain toxins called bufadienolides, which generally cause gastrointestinal signs (drooling, vomiting and diarrhea), according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Rarely, if cats ingest large quantities of kalanchoe, they might experience more severe symptoms, including heart arrhythmias, collapse and seizures, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. Cat owners should not keep this plant in the home.
Lilies

Although many plants contain the word “lily” in their name, Dr. Wismer says, certain species are the most dangerous to cats, including Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, stargazer lilies, red lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies.
“Easter lilies are very dangerous for cats; ingestion of any part of the plant, or even the pollen, can cause kidney failure,” Dr. Wismer says.
Cats need only ingest a tiny bit of the aforementioned lilies (for instance, chewing on one or two petals or leaves) to take in enough toxin to cause death. Even just licking the pollen from the flowers or drinking water from the vase of lilies can spell death for a cat, Dr. Wismer says.
If you suspect that your cat may have come into contact with a lily, contact your veterinarian or poison control immediately. Do not wait, as prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Cat owners should never keep lilies in the house, Dr. Wismer says—the risk is too high.
Oleander

Oleander (Nerium oleander), also known as Nerium oleander, white oleander and Rose-Bay, is a popular outdoor flowering shrub found in warm climates. Oleander contains cardiac glycoside toxins, which adversely affect the heart muscle, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, tremors, seizures and fatal heart abnormalities. All parts of the oleander plant are toxic, including the water in the vase of these flowers, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. Cat parents should not keep oleander in the yard and should not bring the flowers into the home.
Sago Palm

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta), also known as coontie palm, cardboard palm, cycads and zamias, is a common plant found outdoors in tropical/subtropical areas. Certain sago palms are also kept as houseplants. All parts of the sago palm plant are toxic, but the seeds are the deadliest, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. The main toxic compound is cycasin, the ASPCA says, which causes severe liver damage.
Symptoms of sago palm poisoning in cats, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, include vomiting and diarrhea; black, tarry-looking stool; bruising; increased thirst; lethargy; liver failure; and death. If you suspect your cat has chewed on any part of a sago palm, seek immediate treatment. Even with quick and aggressive veterinary treatment, the prognosis for survival is only 50 percent, according to the Pet Poison Helpline website.
Tulip and Hyacinth

Popular in bouquets and gardens, tulips (Tulipa spp.) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are both part of the Liliaceae family, which also includes the deadly lily species. Tulips contain tulipalin A and tulipalin B and hyacinths contain possibly narcissus-like alkaloids, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Although all parts of the plants and flowers contain the dangerous compounds, they are most concentrated in the bulbs, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, which states that signs of tulip of hyacinth poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and tremors.
Plant Safety in Pet Homes

Elevate Plants
Some plants may not be deadly, but can cause stomach upset if ingested. It can be difficult to keep cats away from plants since most cats go wherever they can, including on countertops and window ledges. Gary Weitzman, DVM, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and author of the 2019 book “National Geographic Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian's Approach to At-Home Animal Care,” suggests elevating plants whenever possible.
“Whether indoors or outdoors, putting your plants in containers or large planters will elevate them so your pets can’t access them to dig or chew on them,” Dr. Weitzman says. “Hanging planters are a great option as well.”
Take Immediate Action If Ingested
If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a plant that’s poisonous to cats, even just chewing or licking the leaves or flowers, take immediate action, Dr. Weitzman says.
Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline quickly. Two animal poison hotlines that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week are the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (consultation fee may apply) and the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 ($59 consultation fee applies).
Take Photos of the Plant
If possible, Dr. Weitzman says, take photos of the plant in question and bring a sample with you to the veterinarian. “You’ll also need to provide information, if you know it, about the amount ingested and the time since exposure,” he says.
Unfortunately, a lot of times cats nibble on plants without their parents’ knowledge. In the case of the cat who ingested the toxic lily, her parent at first was not aware that the cat had eaten a toxic plant.
“The cat owner had no idea that the cat ate a lily. She just knew that the cat stopped eating and was hiding in a corner,” Dr. Osborne says.
After the cat’s parent had answered a lot of questions, she went home and realized that some of the little pebbles and dirt from the lily plant’s pot had spilled onto one of her tables.
“That’s how we put two and two together,” Dr. Osborne says. “Being able to nail it down to a particular plant is great when you can, but I think it’s somewhat rare.”
This story illustrates why it’s so important to seek immediate veterinarian care any time your cat is acting sick. The sooner you get your cat to a veterinarian for treatment, the better the outcome.
More Plants Poisonous to Cats

Adam-and-Eve
African Wonder Tree
Alocasia
Aloe
Amaryllis
Ambrosia Mexicana
American Bittersweet
American Holly
American Mandrake
American Yew
Andromeda Japonica
Angelica Tree
Apple
Apricot
Arrow-Head Vine
Arum
Arum Lily
Asian Lily
Asparagus Fern
Australian Ivy Palm
Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Baby Doll Ti Plant
Barbados Aloe
Barbados Lily
Barbados Pride
Barbados Pride 2
Bay Laurel
Bead Tree
Begonia
Bergamot Orange
Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise 2
Bird of Paradise Flower
Bird's Tongue Flower
Bishop’s Weed
Bitter Root
Black Calla
Black Cherry
Black Laurel
Black Nightshade
Bobbins
Bog Laurel
Borage
Boxwood
Branching Ivy
Brazilwood
Bread and Butter Plant
Brunfelsia
Buckeye
Buckwheat
Buddhist Pine
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Butterfly Iris
Caladium
Calamondin Orange
California Ivy
Calla Lily
Cape Jasmine
Caraway
Cardboard Cycad
Cardboard Palm
Cardinal Flower
Carnation
Castor Bean Plant
Catnip
Ceriman
Chamomile
Chandelier Plant
Charming Dieffenbachia
Cherry
Chinaberry Tree
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Jade
Chives
Choke Cherry
Christmas Rose
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Climbing Bittersweet
Climbing Lily
Climbing Nightshade
Clivia Lily
Coffee Tree
Coleus
Common Privet
Coontie Palm
Cordatum
Corn Plant
Cornstalk Plant
Cow parsnip
Cowbane
Cuckoo-pint
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Dahlia
Daisy
Day Lilies (many varieties)
Deadly Nightshade
Desert Azalea
Desert Rose
Devil's Backbone
Devils Ivy
Dieffenbachia
Dock
Dog Daisy
Dog Hobble
Dogbane Hemp
Dracaena
Dumbcane
Dwarf Poinciana
Easter Lily
Easter Rose
Eastern Star
Elephant Ears
Elephant-Ear Begonia
Emerald Feather
English Holly
English Ivy
English Yew
Epazote
Eucalyptus
European Bittersweet
European Holly
Everlasting Pea
Exotica
False Bittersweet
False Queen Anne’s Lace
Feather Geranium
Fern Palm
Fetter Bush
Fetterbush
Fiddle-Leaf
Fig
Figwort
Fire Lily
Flag
- Flamingo Flower
Fleabane
Florida Beauty
Florist's Calla
Foxglove
Franciscan Rain Tree
Garden Calla
Garden Chamomile
Garden Hyacinth
Gardenia
Garlic
Geranium
Geranium-Leaf Aralia
Giant Dracaena
Giant Dumb Cane
Giant Hogweed
Glacier Ivy
Gladiola
Gloriosa Lily
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Birds Nest
Golden Pothos
Golden Ragwort
Good Luck Plant
Grapefruit
Grass Palm
Greater Ammi
Green Gold Naphthysis
Ground Apple
Groundsel
Hahn's Self Branching English
Ivy
Hashish
Hawaiian Ti
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heavenly Bamboo
Hellebore
Hercules' Club
Hills of Snow
Holly
Horse Chestnut
Horsehead Philodendron
Horseweed
Hortensia
Hosta
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Impala Lily
Indian Apple
Indian Borage
Indian Hemp
Indian Pink
Indian Rubber Plant
Inkberry
Iris
Iron Cross Begonia
Ivy Arum
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Jade Plant
Japanese Show Lily
Japanese Yew
Jerusalem Cherry
Jerusalem Oak
Jonquil
Kaffir Lily
Kalanchoe
Kiss-me-quick
Klamath Weed
Kudu Lily
Lace Fern
Lacy Tree Philodendron
Lady-of-the-night
Lambkill
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lavender
Leatherflower
Leek
Lemon
Lemon Grass
Lemon Verbena
Lenten Rose
Lily
Lily of the Palace
Lily of the Valley
Lily-of-the-Valley Bush
Lime
Lobelia
Locust
Lord-and-Ladies
Lovage
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Maidens Breath
Malanga
Maleberry
Mapleleaf Begonia
Marble Queen
Marijuana
Marjoram
Mauna Loa Peace Lily
Mayapple
Mayweed
Meadow Saffron
Medicine Plant
Metallic Leaf Begonia
Mexican Breadfruit
Milfoil
Milkweed
Mint
Mistletoe “American”
Mock Azalea
Mole Bean Plant
Morning Glory
Morning-Noon-and-Night
Moss Rose
Mother of Millions
Mother-in-Law
Mother-In-Law Plant
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
Mum
Naked Lady
Nandina
Narcissus
Nasturtium (Watercress)
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephthytis
Nicotiana
Nightshade
Octopus Tree
Oilcloth Flower
Oleander
Onion
Orange
Orange Day Lily
Oregano
Oregon Holly
Ornamental Pepper
Pacific Yew
Painter's Pallette
Palm Lily
Panda Plant
Paper White
Paraguayan Jasmine
Parsley
Peace Begonia
Peace Lily
Peach
Peacock Flower
Pencil Cactus
Peony
Perennial Pea
Periwinkle
Philodendron Pertusum
Pie Plant
Pieris
Pig Lily
Pigtail Plant
Pink Pearl
Pinks
Plantain Lily
Plum
Plumosa Fern
Poinciana
Poinsettia
Poison Daisy
Poison Hemlock
Poison Parsnip
Portulaca
Prayer Bean
Pride-of-India
Primrose
Privet
Purslane
Racemose Asparagus
Ragwort
Ranger’s Button
Red Emerald
Red Lily
Red Princess
Red-Marginated Dracaena
Rex Begonia
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Plant
Ridderstjerne
Rock Moss
Roman Chamomile
Rosebay
Rubrum Lily
Running Myrtle
Sabi Star
Sacred Bamboo
Saddle Leaf
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Scented Geranium
Schefflera
Seaside Daisy
Seven Bark
Shamrock Plant
Shatavari
Showy Daisy
Silver Dollar
Silver Jade Plant
Skunk Cabbage
Snake Lilly
Snake Plant Solomon’s Lily
Sorrel
Sowbread
Spanish Thyme
Spindle Tree
Split Leaf Philodendron
Spotted Dumb Cane
Sprengeri Fern
Spring Parsley
St. John’s Wort
Staggerbush
Starch Root
Stargazer Lily
Starleaf
Stinking Chamomile
Straight-Margined Dracaena
Striped Dracaena
Superb Lily
Sweet Cherry
Sweet Pea
Sweet William
Sweetheart Ivy
Swiss Cheese Plant
Tahitian Bridal Veil
Tail Flower
Taro
Taro Vine
Tarragon
Texas Umbrella Tree
Ti-Plant
Tiger Lily
Tobacco
Tomato Plant
Tree Philodendron
Tree Tobacco
Tropic Snow
True Aloe
Trumpet Lily
Tulip
Umbrella Leaf
Umbrella Tree
Variable Dieffenbachia
Variegated Philodendron
Variegated Wandering Jew
Vinca
Virgin’s Bower
Wahoo
Wake Robin
Wandering Jew
Warneckei Dracaena
Water Flag
Water Hemlock
Wax-Leaf
Weeping Fig
Western Yew
White Heads
Wild Arum
Wild Calla
Wild Carnation
Wild Coffee
Winter Cherry
Winterberry
Wisteria
Wood Lily
Yarrow
Yellow Oleander
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Yew
Yew Pine
Yucca
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