Plants Poisonous to Cats

Siamese cat owners who keep plants indoors needs to know about plants poisonous to cats; plants which can be fatal or seriously toxic to cats if accidentally eaten.

Some of the most common houseplants can be poisonous to your favorite feline, and even though only a few are lethal, you don’t want your cat to get sick because of a plant you’re growing indoors.

The two poisonous plants you absolutely never want in the house with a cat present are the Cycad or Sago Palm, and most members of the True Lily family, for instance, the Easter Lily.

All parts of the sago palm, and all parts of the lily, are seriously dangerous to cats (and not very good for people, either) and lilies can cause rapid kidney failure.

If your Siamese does happen to bite into one of these, call your vet as soon as you notice symptoms. If you can't reach your vet, and you're in the United States, you can call the ASPCA’s emergency number: 1-888-426-4435

(There is a fee, presently $65.)

Easter lily - highly poisonous to catsEaster and other lilies are very toxic and can be fatal to cats
Image © iStockphoto | Timothy Epp

Common House Plants Poisonous to Cats

These include, but are not limited to, the following shortened list of poisonous plants:

  • Aloe vera
  • Amaryllis
  • Asparagus fern (hang it far out of reach)
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Candelabra Cactus
  • Caladium
  • Chinese evergreen
  • Corn Plant
  • Daffodil
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Dracaena Palm
  • Elephant Ear
  • English Ivy
  • Ferns
  • Geranium
  • Hyacinth
  • Iris
  • Japanese Show Lily
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Mistletoe
  • Mother-in Law’s Tongue (Snake Plant)
  • Narcissus
  • Oleander
  • Philodendron
  • Plumosa Fern
  • Poinsettia
  • Pothos
  • Ribbon Plant
  • Rubber Plant
  • Schefflera
  • Tiger Lily
  • Tomato

Symptoms

After eating a poisonous plant your Siamese may exhibit the following symptoms:

Vomiting, lethargy, depression, diarrhea, pain, and/or itching

There are plenty of plants left to choose from that aren't poisonous and won’t hurt your cat if she/he bites into them.

Of course, if you want to give her/him something to purr about, plant catnip or cat grass, either of which is enjoyable to about 75% of cats.

More Cat Care Information


Some of the articles and newsletters on this site may contain links to products I think you may enjoy. If you purchase through these links I receive a small commission, but there's no extra cost to you. Find out more on the Affiliates Disclosure page.

Have You Discovered Our Newsletter?

If not, why not? Subscribe to our email newsletter, Meezer Musings, to stay in touch, be the first to see new information and pages as they come out, and read the things we only talk about in the newsletter.

Learn more about it on our Newsletter Sign-Up page.