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Many common houseplants, bulbs, and cut flowers can harm cats, and a plant’s common name may not tell you how serious the risk is. True lilies and daylilies can cause acute kidney failure, while plants such as peace lilies cause a different kind of irritation. Check the scientific name, and contact a veterinarian immediately if your cat may have chewed a toxic plant.
The plants below range from causing mouth or stomach irritation to potentially fatal organ or heart problems. Treat possible exposure to true lilies, daylilies, sago palm, oleander, azalea or rhododendron, and lily of the valley as urgent.
20 houseplants that are toxic to cats
| Plant | Scientific name | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| True lily | Lilium species | Acute kidney failure |
| Daylily | Hemerocallis species | Acute kidney failure |
| Sago palm | Cycas revoluta, Zamia species | Liver damage or failure |
| Oleander | Nerium oleander | Abnormal heart function |
| Azalea and rhododendron | Rhododendron species | Neurologic and cardiovascular effects |
| Kalanchoe | Kalanchoe species | Gastrointestinal effects; sometimes heart effects or seizures |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen species | Vomiting and diarrhea; large tuber ingestion can cause heart effects or seizures |
| Daffodil, narcissus, jonquil, and paperwhite | Narcissus species | Vomiting, tremors, seizures, or abnormal heart rhythms |
| Tulip | Tulipa species | Vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation |
| Hyacinth | Hyacinthus orientalis | Intense vomiting and diarrhea |
| Lily of the valley | Convallaria majalis | Abnormal heart rhythm |
| Dieffenbachia | Dieffenbachia species | Painful mouth irritation and difficulty swallowing |
| Golden pothos | Epipremnum aureum | Mouth irritation and difficulty swallowing |
| Philodendron | Philodendron species | Mouth irritation and swelling |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa | Mouth irritation and vomiting |
| Peace lily | Spathiphyllum species | Painful mouth irritation |
| Calla lily | Zantedeschia aethiopica | Mouth irritation and swallowing difficulty |
| Aloe | Aloe vera and related species | Vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy |
| Snake plant | Dracaena trifasciata | Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea |
| Dracaena | Dracaena species | Vomiting, depression, and appetite loss |
1. True lilies (Lilium species)
True lilies are among the most dangerous plants for cats. Easter, Asiatic, tiger, Stargazer, Oriental, and Japanese show lilies are all in the genus Lilium. Every part is a concern: leaves, flowers, stems, pollen, and even vase water.
Even a small exposure can lead to vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, acute kidney failure, and death. A cat may look normal at first, so do not wait for symptoms after possible contact. Remove access to the plant and contact a veterinarian immediately. ASPCA’s lily guidance and Pet Poison Helpline’s lily guidance describe the risk.
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2. Daylilies (Hemerocallis species)
Daylilies are botanically different from true lilies but can cause similarly severe kidney injury in cats. Vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite may progress to kidney failure and death. Treat any suspected exposure as urgent. ASPCA’s daylily entry covers the risk to cats.
3. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta and Zamia species)
Also sold as coontie palm, cardboard palm, or cycad, sago palm contains cycasin. The seeds are especially dangerous; ASPCA notes that one or two seeds can be fatal. Signs may include vomiting, bloody stools, jaundice, bruising, clotting problems, liver damage, and liver failure. Keep this plant where a cat cannot reach it. See ASPCA’s sago palm entry.
4. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Oleander contains cardiac glycosides, and its leaves and flowers are poisonous. It can cause drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, depression, and abnormal heart function, and can be fatal. People sometimes bring potted oleander indoors for winter, creating a risk that is easy to overlook. See ASPCA’s oleander entry.
5. Azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron species)
These flowering shrubs contain grayanotoxins. Ingestion of only a few leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, low blood pressure, coma, or cardiovascular collapse. Keep garden plants and decorative potted specimens away from cats. See ASPCA’s azalea entry and rhododendron entry.
6. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe species)
Kalanchoe is sold under names including mother-in-law plant, devil’s backbone, chandelier plant, and mother of millions. Its bufadienolides can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Larger exposures can produce abnormal heart rhythms or seizures. See ASPCA’s kalanchoe entry.
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7. Cyclamen (Cyclamen species)
Often called sowbread, cyclamen is especially hazardous below the soil line. Its tuber contains a higher concentration of terpenoid saponins than the above-ground parts. Chewing it may cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea; a large tuber ingestion can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and death. See ASPCA’s cyclamen entry.
8. Daffodil, narcissus, jonquil, and paperwhite (Narcissus species)
The bulb contains the greatest concentration of lycorine and other alkaloids. Cats may develop vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, tremors, low blood pressure, seizures, or abnormal heart rhythms. Potted bulbs and forced spring bulbs deserve the same caution as cut flowers. See ASPCA’s daffodil entry.
9. Tulip (Tulipa species)
Tulipalin A and B are concentrated in the bulb. Chewing a tulip may cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Potted tulip bulbs are particularly tempting to cats that dig in soil. See ASPCA’s tulip entry.
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The bulb is the main danger. A cat that chews it can develop intense vomiting, diarrhea that may contain blood, depression, and tremors. Keep forced hyacinth bulbs and loose pieces out of reach. See ASPCA’s hyacinth entry.
11. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the valley is not a true lily. It contains cardiac glycosides, including convallarin, that can cause vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, and seizures. Any suspected ingestion warrants prompt veterinary advice. See ASPCA’s lily of the valley entry.
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12. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia species)
Also called dumb cane, giant dumb cane, or tropic snow, dieffenbachia contains insoluble calcium oxalates and a proteolytic enzyme. Chewing it can cause burning mouth pain, swelling, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. See ASPCA’s dieffenbachia entry.
13. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden pothos is also sold as pothos, devil’s ivy, taro vine, and ivy arum. Its insoluble calcium oxalates can cause intense burning of the lips, tongue, and mouth, with drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing. Hanging baskets are not automatically safe: leaves can fall, and trailing vines may be reachable. See ASPCA’s golden pothos entry.
14. Philodendron (Philodendron species)
Heartleaf, lacy tree, saddle-leaf, and other philodendrons may look very different but share the risk of insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs include oral pain, swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. See ASPCA’s philodendron entry.
15. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Monstera is also marketed as Swiss cheese plant, split-leaf philodendron, cutleaf philodendron, or hurricane plant. Chewing its leaves can cause burning mouth pain, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. See ASPCA’s Monstera entry.
16. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species)
Peace lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalates and can cause painful mouth irritation, swelling, drooling, vomiting, and swallowing difficulty. They are not the same as true lilies: peace lilies do not cause the same kidney-failure syndrome associated with Lilium and Hemerocallis. They are still unsuitable for a cat-accessible room. See ASPCA’s peace lily entry.
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17. Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Calla lily, also called arum lily, trumpet lily, or florist’s calla, contains insoluble calcium oxalates. It can burn and irritate the mouth, causing drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing. Despite its common name, it is not a kidney-toxic true lily. See ASPCA’s calla lily entry.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute18. Aloe (Aloe vera and related plants)
Aloe’s outer leaf and white latex contain saponins and anthraquinones, including aloin. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and red urine. The clear inner gel is generally considered edible or non-toxic, but cats should not chew the plant because the outer leaf and latex contain the irritating compounds. See ASPCA’s true aloe entry.
19. Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Formerly known as Sansevieria trifasciata, the snake plant is also called mother-in-law’s tongue, golden bird’s nest, or good-luck plant. Its saponins generally cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is generally associated with gastrointestinal illness rather than the acute kidney failure caused by true lilies. See ASPCA’s entry for mother-in-law’s tongue.
20. Dracaena (Dracaena species)
Common varieties include corn plant, cornstalk plant, dragon tree, and ribbon plant. Saponins in dracaena can cause vomiting—sometimes with blood—depression, loss of appetite, drooling, and dilated pupils in cats. See ASPCA’s dracaena entry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.“Lily” is not a sufficient identification
When a cat may have eaten a lily, identify the genus rather than relying on the common name:
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- Lilium and Hemerocallis: True lilies and daylilies can cause acute kidney failure and require immediate veterinary attention.
- Spathiphyllum and Zantedeschia: Peace and calla lilies cause calcium-oxalate mouth irritation, not the typical true-lily kidney syndrome.
- Convallaria majalis: Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides and can disrupt heart function.
- Alstroemeria: Peruvian lily is often mistaken for a true lily but is generally associated with gastrointestinal upset rather than the classic kidney-failure syndrome. See Pet Poison Helpline’s plant list and VCA’s guide to plants toxic to cats.
What to do if your cat chews a toxic plant
- Remove access. Move the plant, fallen leaves, cut flowers, pollen, and vase water away from the cat.
- Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies. Do not give hydrogen peroxide to a cat unless a veterinary professional specifically directs you. See ASPCA’s guidance on inducing vomiting and Pet Poison Helpline’s emergency instructions.
- Call a veterinarian immediately. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic, especially for possible true-lily, daylily, sago-palm, oleander, azalea, rhododendron, or lily-of-the-valley exposure. Do not wait for signs to appear.
- Bring identification. Take the plant label, a photograph, or a sample. Tell the clinic the scientific name if known, how much may be missing, and when the exposure occurred.
In the United States, ASPCA Poison Control lists (888) 426-4435, and Pet Poison Helpline lists (855) 764-7661. Consultation fees may apply. See ASPCA Poison Control and Pet Poison Helpline. If your cat is collapsing, having seizures, struggling to breathe, or unconscious, go directly to an emergency veterinarian.
How to make a home safer
Before buying a plant, check its scientific name in a current veterinary poison-control database rather than trusting a label such as “palm,” “ivy,” or “lily.” Do the same for bouquets, holiday plants, bulbs, and plants brought indoors during cold weather. The ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant database is a commonly used reference, but it is not exhaustive. If identification is uncertain, keep the plant in a closed, cat-free area or choose a confirmed non-toxic alternative. A high shelf or hanging basket is only a partial barrier: leaves, flowers, and soil can still fall within reach.
FAQ
Are all lilies toxic to cats in the same way?
No. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) can cause fatal acute kidney failure. Peace lilies and calla lilies usually cause painful calcium-oxalate mouth irritation, while lily of the valley can affect the heart. Use the scientific name to identify the plant.
What is the most dangerous houseplant for a cat?
True lilies and daylilies are among the most urgent hazards because even a small exposure can cause kidney failure. Sago palm, oleander, lily of the valley, azalea, and rhododendron can also cause fatal illness. Discuss any suspected exposure with a veterinarian immediately.
Can a cat recover after eating a toxic plant?
Recovery depends on the plant, amount eaten, time since ingestion, and the cat’s condition. Some plants mainly cause mouth or gastrointestinal irritation; others can cause organ failure or heart abnormalities. Contact a veterinarian promptly for advice.
Should I make my cat vomit after it eats a plant?
No. Do not give hydrogen peroxide or another home remedy to a cat unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you. Remove the plant, save evidence for identification, and call a veterinarian or animal poison-control service.
The Bottom Line
Keep true lilies and daylilies out of homes with cats, and treat every unknown plant as unsafe until its scientific name is checked. If your cat has chewed a potentially toxic plant, call a veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms or attempting home treatment.
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