NOT Healthy Plants

Plants that are Toxic to Cats






 Below is a list of common houseplants that can be harmful or fatal depending on the quantity swallowed. Also, remember that cats who chew plants are exposed to any chemical pesticides or fertilizers that may have been applied directly to the plants or through the soil. 
You can prevent your cat from chewing on plants by misting the leaves then sprinkling them with cayenne pepper. You might also want to consider planting a container of grass (regular grass, not the drug) for your cat.  If your cats are digging in your pots, go to your local hobby/craft store and buy a few pieces of plastic needlepoint canvas.  Trim it to the shape of the pot, cut a slit in it and then a hole in the center for the plant.  Rest it on top of the soil and your cat will be unable to dig.




Note that any plant that looks like a variation of grass is likely going to be considered food to a cat, so it's best to keep them in hanging pots well out of reach.




Symptoms of poisoning will range from seizures and foaming at the mouth to vomiting and coma.  Immediate medical attention as soon as you see the cat has eaten a toxic substance (don't wait for symptoms to appear) is necessary.



The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center is a 24-hour emergency service with phones manned by licensed veterinarians and toxicologists (these are not free calls; have your credit card handy): 




You can call 24 hours a day from anywhere in the U.S. 1-888-426-4435








  • Aloe
  • Amaryllis
  • Andromeda Japonica
  • Asian Lily (Liliaceae)
  • Asparagus Fern
  • Australian Nut
  • Autumn Crocus
  • Avocado
  • Azalea
  • Bird of Paradise
  • American Bittersweet
  • European Bittersweet
  • Branching Ivy
  • Buckeye
  • Buddist Pine 
  • Caladium
  • Calla Lily
  • Castor Bean 
  • Charming Diffenbachia
  • Chinaberry Tree
  • Chinese Evergreen
  • Christmas Rose
  • Clematis
  • Cordatum
  • Corn (or Cornstalk) Plant
  • Cutleaf Philodendron
  • Cycads
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodil
  • Day Lily
  • Devil's Ivy
  • Dumb Cane
  • Deadly Nightshade
  • Easter Lily
  • Elephant Ears
  • Emerald Feather or Fern
  • English Ivy
  • Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
  • Flamingo Plant


  • Florida Beauty
  • Foxglove
  • Fruit Salad Plant
  • Glacier Ivy
  • Gladiolas
  • Glory Lily
  • Gold Dieffenbachia
  • Gold Dust Dracaena
  • Golden Pothos
  • Green Gold Nephthysis
  • Hahn's self branching English Ivy
  • Heartleaf Philodendron
  • Heavenly Bamboo
  • Holly
  • Horsehead Philodendron
  • Hurricane Plant
  • Hyacinth
  • Hydrangea
  • Iris
  • Japanese Show Lily
  • Japanese Yew
  • Jerusalem Cherry
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lace Fern
  • Lacy Tree
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Macadamia Nut
  • Madagascar Dragon Tree
  • Marble Queen
  • Marijuana
  • Mauna Loa Peace Lily
  • Mexican Breadfruit
  • Mistletoe "American"
  • Morning Glory
  • Mother-in-Law
  • Narcissus
  • Needlepoint Ivy
  • Nephthytis
  • Nightshade


  • Oleander
  • Onion
  • Orange Day Lily
  • Panda
  • Peace Lily
  • Philodendron Pertusum
  • Plumosa Fern
  • Precatory Bean
  • Queensland Nut
  • Red Emerald
  • Red Lily
  • Red-Margined Dracaena
  • Red Princess
  • Rhododendron
  • Ribbon Plant (Dracaena sanderiana)
  • Rubrum Lily
  • Saddle Leaf Philodendron
  • Sago Palm
  • Satin Pothos
  • Schefflera
  • Spotted Dumb Cane
  • Stargazer Lily
  • Striped Dracaena
  • Sweetheart Ivy
  • Swiss Cheese Plant
  • Taro Vine
  • Tiger Lily
  • Tomato Plant
  • Tree Philodendron
  • Tropic Snow Dumbcane
  • Tulip
  • Variable Dieffenbachia
  • Variegated Philodendron 
  • Warneckei Dracaena
  • Wood Lily
  • Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
  • Yew