Skip to content
Orvik Orvik
Free tools
Identification keys and calculators
Compare apps
Real prices, and which are free
 Download Orvik Free
Theme

Plants & trees

Is this plant poisonous to dogs or cats?

Type the plant name, or filter by pet and by how bad the reaction is. Every entry names the part of the plant that carries the toxin and what actually happens — because "toxic" covers everything from a sore mouth to kidney failure in eighteen hours, and treating those the same is how people either panic over a poinsettia or wait too long with a lily.

Entries 73Filters 4 Updated 2026-09-03 Cost Free, no account

This is a lookup table, not a diagnosis. If your animal has already eaten something, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now and read this afterwards. Take a piece of the plant with you.

Narrow it down

Who it affects

Pick one or more. Selecting two shows anything matching either.

How serious

Severity assumes a normal mouthful, not a whole plant.

Where you found it
Part eaten

Showing all 73 plants

  1. Sago palm

    Can injure you

    Cycas revoluta

    Not a true palm — a cycad with a stout pineapple-like trunk and stiff, spiny, deep-green fronds. The orange-brown seeds at the crown are the most poisonous part and dogs chew them.

    Where
    Landscape plant across the US South; sold everywhere as a houseplant and as bonsai.
    Confused with
    Real palms (parlor, areca, ponytail) are all non-toxic. The give-away is the woody, scaly trunk and the seed cone.
    Risk
    Cycasin causes acute liver failure. Survival rates are poor even with treatment. One or two seeds can kill a dog.

    In the record 1,291 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Japan check on GBIF

  2. True lily

    Can injure you

    Lilium and Hemerocallis species

    Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental, Japanese show and day lilies are in a class of their own for cats — every part including the pollen is lethal, and there is a treatment window of roughly 18 hours.

    Where
    Cut-flower bouquets are the single most common exposure route indoors.
    Confused with
    Peace lily, calla lily and lily of the valley are not true lilies and do something completely different. Check the genus, not the shop label.
    Risk
    Cats only: acute kidney failure. Pollen on the fur, two petals, or the vase water are all enough.

    In the record 300,815 georeferenced records · half of them Jun–Jul · most distinctive in July · mostly from France check on GBIF

    Which "lilies" are actually lilies

  3. Lily of the valley

    Can injure you

    Convallaria majalis

    Two broad basal leaves and an arching stem of small white bells, followed by orange-red berries. Shade-loving, spreads into dense colonies, smells strongly sweet.

    Where
    Shaded borders and old gardens across the northern US, Canada and Europe.
    Confused with
    Wild garlic has the same leaf shape but smells of onion when crushed. This is the classic foraging mix-up and it is fatal.
    Risk
    Cardiac glycosides. Slow or irregular heart rate, collapse, seizures.

    In the record 476,918 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jun · most distinctive in May · mostly from Sweden check on GBIF

    How deadly lily of the valley really is

  4. Oleander

    Can injure you

    Nerium oleander

    Evergreen shrub with narrow leathery leaves in whorls of three and clusters of pink, white or red five-lobed flowers. Milky sap.

    Where
    Highway medians and hedges across the US Sun Belt and the whole Mediterranean.
    Confused with
    Nothing safe looks much like it, but hedge trimmings raked into a horse paddock are the classic accident.
    Risk
    Cardiac glycosides in every part, including dried clippings and smoke from burning them.

    In the record 110,514 georeferenced records · half of them May–Aug · most distinctive in January · mostly from Spain check on GBIF

    Oleander toxicity in detail

  5. Autumn crocus

    Can injure you

    Colchicum autumnale

    Leafless lilac goblets pushing straight out of bare ground in September and October, with the strappy leaves arriving the following spring.

    Where
    Lawns, orchards and damp meadows; widely planted in Europe and the northern US.
    Confused with
    Spring crocus (Crocus species) is only a mild stomach upset. Season is the fastest test: spring crocus flowers with its leaves, autumn crocus flowers naked.
    Risk
    Colchicine. Bloody vomiting and diarrhoea, then multi-organ failure that can start days later.

    In the record 170,376 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jun · most distinctive in September · mostly from France check on GBIF

  6. Yew

    Can injure you

    Taxus baccata and T. cuspidata

    Dark evergreen needles set in two flat rows, flaking red-brown bark, and a soft red berry-like aril that is open at the end like a cup.

    Where
    Churchyards, formal hedging and foundation planting throughout the temperate world.
    Confused with
    The red aril flesh itself is harmless; the seed inside it is not. Never treat "the bird ate it" as evidence of safety.
    Risk
    Taxine alkaloids stop the heart. Horses die from a few mouthfuls of hedge clippings and are often found dead with leaves still in the mouth.

    In the record 308,901 georeferenced records · half of them May–Aug · most distinctive in August · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

  7. Castor bean

    Can injure you

    Ricinus communis

    Fast-growing plant to three metres with huge star-shaped leaves, often bronze-red, and spiky red seed capsules holding glossy mottled beans that look like ticks.

    Where
    Ornamental bedding in cool climates, a roadside weed across the warm South and the tropics.
    Confused with
    The mottled seeds are sold as jewellery beads. Treat any strung "lucky bean" necklace as poison.
    Risk
    Ricin. A single well-chewed seed can kill a dog; swallowed whole and intact, seeds often pass through.

    In the record 94,344 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in December · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  8. Foxglove

    Can injure you

    Digitalis purpurea

    A tall one-sided spire of thimble-shaped purple or white flowers, spotted inside, over a rosette of soft grey-green downy leaves.

    Where
    Woodland edges, roadside cuttings and cottage borders across Europe and the US Pacific Northwest.
    Confused with
    The first-year rosette looks like comfrey and has been eaten in salad by mistake. Foxglove leaf edges are finely toothed; comfrey is not.
    Risk
    Digitalis glycosides. Vomiting, then a dangerously slow or erratic heartbeat.

    In the record 557,582 georeferenced records · half of them May–Jul · most distinctive in June · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

    Foxglove toxicity explained

  9. Water hemlock

    Can injure you

    Cicuta maculata

    Umbrella of small white flowers, purple-streaked hollow stem, and — the diagnostic feature — a chambered rootstock that oozes yellow oily sap when cut.

    Where
    Ditches, stream banks and wet pasture across the whole of North America.
    Confused with
    Wild parsnip, elderflower and wild carrot all carry white umbels. Never dig a wild root on flower shape alone.
    Risk
    Cicutoxin. Violent seizures within an hour. This is the most poisonous plant in North America.

    In the record 12,532 georeferenced records · half of them Jun–Jul · most distinctive in July · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  10. Rhododendron and azalea

    Can injure you

    Rhododendron species

    Evergreen or deciduous shrub with leathery oval leaves and trusses of funnel-shaped flowers; the upper petal usually carries a freckled blotch.

    Where
    Foundation planting everywhere with acidic soil; wild across Appalachia and the Pacific Northwest.
    Risk
    Grayanotoxins. Drooling, vomiting, weakness, then heart rhythm problems. A few leaves matter in a small dog.

    In the record 706,341 georeferenced records · half of them May–Jul · most distinctive in July · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

  11. Cyclamen

    Can injure you

    Cyclamen persicum

    Heart-shaped leaves marbled silver, and swept-back flowers on bare stems that look like small shuttlecocks.

    Where
    A supermarket winter houseplant; naturalised outdoors in mild climates.
    Risk
    Terpenoid saponins concentrated in the tuber. Heavy vomiting; large tuber doses cause heart rhythm changes and seizures.

    In the record 10,334 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Mar · most distinctive in February · mostly from Israel check on GBIF

  12. Kalanchoe

    Can injure you

    Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

    Succulent with thick scallop-edged leaves and dense flat-topped clusters of tiny four-petalled flowers in hot pink, orange or yellow.

    Where
    Sold in every garden centre as a gift plant; a garden escape in warm climates.
    Risk
    Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides. Usually just vomiting, but large amounts affect the heart.

    In the record 325 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in January · mostly from Colombia check on GBIF

  13. Dieffenbachia

    Handle with care

    Dieffenbachia seguine

    Thick cane with large paddle leaves splashed cream and white down the midrib. Also sold as dumb cane, for what it does to the tongue.

    Where
    One of the most common office and household plants in the world.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals fire into the mouth lining. Intense pain, drooling, and occasionally swelling that blocks the airway.

    In the record 3,665 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

    Why dieffenbachia is called dumb cane

  14. Philodendron

    Handle with care

    Philodendron species

    Glossy leaves, heart-shaped in the trailing kinds and deeply cut in the tree kinds, on stems that produce aerial roots at each node.

    Where
    Trailing types are the default hanging-basket plant in the US and Europe.
    Confused with
    Almost indistinguishable from pothos at a glance. Pothos leaves are thicker and often gold-flecked; philodendron has a papery sheath at each new leaf.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalates: burning mouth, pawing at the face, drooling, vomiting. Rarely dangerous but genuinely painful.

    In the record 74,611 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Colombia check on GBIF

  15. Pothos

    Handle with care

    Epipremnum aureum

    Trailing vine with waxy heart-shaped leaves marbled or streaked in yellow or white, tolerating near-darkness and neglect.

    Where
    The most widely sold houseplant on earth; an invasive climber in Florida and the tropics.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalates. Mouth pain and vomiting; serious cases are rare.

    In the record 8,105 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in December · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Pothos and dogs

  16. Peace lily

    Handle with care

    Spathiphyllum species

    Glossy dark ribbed leaves rising straight from the soil with a white hooded spathe around a cream spike.

    Where
    A standard low-light office plant worldwide.
    Confused with
    Constantly confused with true lilies in cat-poisoning panics. Look for the hood-and-spike flower: that is an arum, not a lily.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalates — a burning mouth, not kidney failure. This matters: peace lily is not a true lily.

    In the record 7,732 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Colombia check on GBIF

    Peace lily vs true lily

  17. Monstera

    Handle with care

    Monstera deliciosa

    Huge glossy leaves with natural holes and deep splits, on a thick climbing stem hung with cord-like aerial roots.

    Where
    The signature houseplant of the last decade; wild in Central American rainforest.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalates. Mouth irritation and drooling.

    In the record 5,752 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in February · mostly from Australia check on GBIF

  18. ZZ plant

    Handle with care

    Zamioculcas zamiifolia

    Stiff upright stalks of thick, waxy, symmetrical dark-green leaflets growing from a potato-like rhizome.

    Where
    Ubiquitous in low-light offices and rental flats.
    Risk
    Calcium oxalates. Mouth and stomach irritation; the reputation for extreme toxicity is not supported.

    In the record 188 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in December · mostly from South Africa check on GBIF

  19. Snake plant

    Handle with care

    Dracaena trifasciata

    Upright sword leaves banded in grey-green with a yellow margin, growing in a tight clump.

    Where
    Sold everywhere as mother-in-law's tongue.
    Risk
    Saponins. Vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea; rarely more than that.

    In the record 2,951 georeferenced records · half of them Feb–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

  20. Aloe vera

    Handle with care

    Aloe barbadensis

    Thick grey-green spear leaves with soft white teeth on the edges, in a rosette, oozing clear gel when cut.

    Where
    Windowsills everywhere; naturalised in warm dry regions.
    Risk
    The yellow latex under the skin contains anthraquinones — vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy. The clear inner gel is not the problem part.

    In the record 98 georeferenced records · half of them Feb–Apr · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

  21. Jade plant

    Handle with care

    Crassula ovata

    Small tree-like succulent with a thick trunk and glossy oval jade-green pads, often edged red in strong light.

    Where
    A classic windowsill succulent worldwide.
    Risk
    The toxin is still unidentified. Reported effects include vomiting, unsteady walking and a slowed heart rate.

    In the record 2,321 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jul · most distinctive in December · mostly from South Africa check on GBIF

  22. Dracaena

    Handle with care

    Dracaena marginata and D. fragrans

    Thin woody canes topped with a fountain of narrow strap leaves, usually edged red or striped cream.

    Where
    Sold as dragon tree and corn plant in every garden centre.
    Risk
    Saponins. Vomiting — sometimes with blood — plus drooling; cats often show dilated pupils.

    In the record 15 georeferenced records · half of them Nov–Nov · mostly from PK check on GBIF

    Dracaena and cats

  23. English ivy

    Handle with care

    Hedera helix

    Evergreen climber with three- to five-lobed leaves on juvenile shoots and plain oval leaves on the flowering wood, clinging by root hairs.

    Where
    Walls, woodland and fences across Europe and North America.
    Risk
    Triterpenoid saponins, strongest in the leaves rather than the berries. Vomiting, drooling, belly pain.

    In the record 1,274,719 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jul · most distinctive in February · mostly from France check on GBIF

  24. Chinese evergreen

    Handle with care

    Aglaonema species

    Broad lance-shaped leaves marbled silver, cream or pink on short stems; tolerates deep shade.

    Where
    A standard mall and lobby plant.
    Risk
    Insoluble calcium oxalates — mouth pain, drooling, vomiting.

    In the record 1,617 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in December · mostly from Indonesia check on GBIF

    Aglaonema names and varieties

  25. Arrowhead plant

    Handle with care

    Syngonium podophyllum

    Young leaves are neat arrowheads, often with a pale centre; mature climbing shoots split into three to five lobes.

    Where
    A common hanging-basket plant; invasive in Florida.
    Risk
    Calcium oxalates. Burning mouth and vomiting.

    In the record 6,979 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  26. Schefflera

    Handle with care

    Schefflera arboricola

    Leaflets radiate from one point like the spokes of an umbrella, five to nine per stalk, glossy and often gold-variegated.

    Where
    Sold as umbrella plant; a landscape shrub in Florida and Hawaii.
    Risk
    Calcium oxalates. Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting.

    In the record 328 georeferenced records · half of them Sep–Jan · most distinctive in December · mostly from Taiwan check on GBIF

  27. Caladium and elephant ear

    Can injure you

    Caladium, Alocasia and Colocasia species

    Enormous arrow- or heart-shaped leaves on long stalks, in caladiums painted pink, white and red between the veins.

    Where
    Summer bedding across the US South; grown indoors elsewhere.
    Risk
    Very high oxalate load. Severe mouth swelling that can make swallowing and breathing difficult.

    In the record 7,587 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

  28. Begonia

    Handle with care

    Begonia species

    Asymmetric leaves — one half of the blade is always larger than the other — with waxy flowers in white, pink or red.

    Where
    The most planted bedding genus in the world.
    Risk
    Soluble oxalates concentrated in the tubers. Mouth burning and vomiting; kidney damage reported in grazing livestock.

    In the record 105,694 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

    Begonia varieties and names

  29. Daffodil

    Can injure you

    Narcissus species

    Yellow or white six-petalled flower with a central trumpet, on a hollow leafless stem over strap leaves.

    Where
    Naturalised in lawns and verges throughout the temperate world.
    Confused with
    Dogs dig up dormant bulbs in autumn and eat them like onions. Store bulbs where they cannot be reached.
    Risk
    Lycorine, most concentrated in the bulb. Severe vomiting, low blood pressure, tremors; bulbs cause the worst cases.

    In the record 348,109 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Apr · most distinctive in March · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

    Narcissus: names and species

  30. Tulip and hyacinth

    Can injure you

    Tulipa and Hyacinthus species

    Both grow from a papery-skinned bulb with fleshy strap leaves; tulips carry one cup-shaped flower per stem, hyacinths a dense fragrant spike.

    Where
    Spring bedding and forced indoor pots everywhere.
    Risk
    Tulipalin A and B, concentrated in the bulb. Heavy drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea; large bulb doses raise heart rate and depress breathing.

    In the record 101,943 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Apr · most distinctive in April · mostly from France check on GBIF

  31. Amaryllis

    Can injure you

    Hippeastrum species

    A single thick hollow stem carrying two to six huge trumpet flowers, from a large bulb sitting half out of the compost.

    Where
    The standard Christmas gift bulb across Europe and North America.
    Risk
    Lycorine and related alkaloids. Vomiting, drooling, low blood pressure, tremors.

    In the record 4,873 georeferenced records · half of them Aug–Nov · most distinctive in November · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

  32. Chrysanthemum

    Handle with care

    Chrysanthemum species

    Dense domed heads of many small ray flowers over deeply lobed aromatic leaves that smell sharp when crushed.

    Where
    The autumn pot plant of the northern hemisphere.
    Risk
    Pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones. Vomiting, drooling, wobbliness, and skin inflammation on contact.

    In the record 18,212 georeferenced records · half of them Jul–Oct · most distinctive in November · mostly from Russia check on GBIF

    Chrysanthemum botany

  33. Hydrangea

    Handle with care

    Hydrangea macrophylla

    Big rounded or flat heads of four-petalled flowers, blue on acid soil and pink on alkaline, over coarse toothed leaves.

    Where
    Front gardens across the temperate world.
    Risk
    Cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin in the buds and leaves. Vomiting and diarrhoea; genuine cyanide poisoning needs an implausible quantity.

    In the record 12,798 georeferenced records · half of them Jun–Aug · most distinctive in July · mostly from Portugal check on GBIF

    Hydrangea species and names

  34. Wisteria

    Can injure you

    Wisteria sinensis and W. floribunda

    Woody twining climber with hanging chains of lilac pea flowers before the leaves, followed by velvety green bean-like pods.

    Where
    House fronts and pergolas across Europe, the US and East Asia.
    Risk
    Lectin and wisterin in the seed pods. Repeated vomiting, sometimes bloody, and dehydration; a handful of seeds is a vet visit.

    In the record 5,595 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–May · most distinctive in March · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Wisteria seed pods and pets

  35. Onion, garlic, leek and chive

    Can injure you

    Allium species

    Hollow round leaves or flat strap leaves that smell unmistakably of onion when crushed, over a bulb or bulblet cluster.

    Where
    Kitchen, veg patch, and ornamental alliums in flower borders.
    Confused with
    Anaemia from onion appears three to five days after the meal, long after anyone connects it to the food.
    Risk
    N-propyl disulphide destroys red blood cells. Cats are far more sensitive than dogs, and cooked, dried and powdered forms are all still toxic.

    In the record 1,395,158 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jun · most distinctive in April · mostly from France check on GBIF

  36. Grape and raisin vine

    Can injure you

    Vitis vinifera

    Woody climber with lobed maple-like leaves, curling tendrils, and hanging bunches of round fruit.

    Where
    Garden pergolas and vineyards; dried fruit in the kitchen is the more common exposure.
    Confused with
    Raisins, sultanas, currants and grape juice are all implicated. Christmas cake and flapjacks poison dogs every December.
    Risk
    Tartaric acid causes acute kidney injury in dogs. There is no reliable safe dose — some dogs are unaffected, others fail on a handful.

    In the record 108,424 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jul · most distinctive in September · mostly from Portugal check on GBIF

  37. Nightshade

    Can injure you

    Solanum species

    Star-shaped flowers with a protruding yellow cone of anthers, followed by shiny berries that ripen black or red.

    Where
    Waste ground, hedges and veg patches across the northern hemisphere.
    Confused with
    Tomato and potato are the same genus. Green potatoes, sprouts and tomato foliage carry the same alkaloid.
    Risk
    Solanine. Drooling, vomiting, dilated pupils, weakness, slowed heart. Unripe green berries carry the most.

    In the record 2,156,584 georeferenced records · half of them May–Aug · most distinctive in November · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

    Nightshade species and risk

  38. Milkweed

    Can injure you

    Asclepias species

    Opposite leaves on a stem that bleeds white latex when broken, umbels of small crown-shaped flowers, and warty pods full of silk-tufted seeds.

    Where
    Prairie, roadside and pollinator gardens across North America.
    Risk
    Cardenolides. Vomiting, weakness, seizures and heart rhythm changes; the narrow-leaved species are the most potent.

    In the record 518,914 georeferenced records · half of them May–Jul · most distinctive in July · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Milkweed and grazing animals

  39. Mistletoe

    Handle with care

    Phoradendron and Viscum album

    An evergreen ball of forked green stems and paired leathery leaves growing out of a host tree branch, with sticky white berries.

    Where
    On apple, poplar and oak across Europe and North America; cut sprigs indoors at Christmas.
    Risk
    Phoratoxin and viscotoxin. Usually vomiting and diarrhoea; large quantities affect blood pressure and heart rate.

    In the record 68,407 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in February · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Mistletoe berries and pets

  40. Holly

    Handle with care

    Ilex species

    Glossy dark evergreen leaves with hard spiny margins and clusters of red berries on female plants only.

    Where
    Hedges and woodland across Europe and eastern North America.
    Risk
    Saponins plus mechanically spiny leaves. Drooling, vomiting, head shaking and lip smacking.

    In the record 1,043,006 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jul · most distinctive in November · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

  41. Poinsettia

    Handle with care

    Euphorbia pulcherrima

    Red, pink or cream "petals" are actually bracts around a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers; stems bleed milky sap.

    Where
    The Christmas pot plant of the western world.
    Confused with
    Every December it is blamed for poisonings caused by lilies, holly or chocolate. It is the least dangerous plant on this list.
    Risk
    Mildly irritating latex only. The plant's deadly reputation traces to a single unverified 1919 report and is wrong.

    In the record 3,385 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in December · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

  42. Chinaberry

    Can injure you

    Melia azedarach

    Fast-growing tree with lacy twice-divided leaves, lilac fragrant flowers, and hanging clusters of hard yellow berries that persist bare through winter.

    Where
    A weedy street tree across the US South, Australia and southern Europe.
    Risk
    Meliatoxins in the fruit. Vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, seizures; a few berries can kill a small dog.

    In the record 59,079 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in November · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Chinaberry poisoning

  43. Virginia creeper

    Handle with care

    Parthenocissus quinquefolia

    Climber with five leaflets radiating from one point, brilliant scarlet in autumn, clinging by adhesive pads and carrying blue-black berries.

    Where
    Walls and woodland across eastern North America, widely planted in Europe.
    Confused with
    Poison ivy has three leaflets, not five. Counting leaflets settles it.
    Risk
    Oxalate crystals in the berries. Mouth pain, vomiting; heavy berry meals have caused kidney damage.

    In the record 118,892 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jun · most distinctive in April · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Virginia creeper berries

  44. Wolfsbane

    Can injure you

    Aconitum napellus

    Tall spire of hooded deep-blue flowers, each shaped like a monk's cowl, over glossy deeply cut palmate leaves.

    Where
    Cottage borders and damp mountain meadows in Europe and North America.
    Risk
    Aconitine is absorbed through skin as well as gut. Numbness, vomiting, then heart arrhythmia. The root is the most concentrated part.

    In the record 56,812 georeferenced records · half of them Jul–Aug · most distinctive in August · mostly from France check on GBIF

    Aconite toxicity

  45. Buckeye and horse chestnut

    Handle with care

    Aesculus species

    Palmate leaves of five to seven leaflets from one point, upright candle-like flower spikes, and a leathery capsule splitting to reveal a glossy brown nut with a pale eye.

    Where
    Parks and streets across Europe and North America.
    Risk
    Aesculin. Vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors; the whole nut also obstructs a dog's gut mechanically.

    In the record 429,086 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Jun · most distinctive in April · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

  46. Red maple

    Can injure you

    Acer rubrum

    Three- to five-lobed leaves with shallow sinuses and a silver underside, red leaf stalks, and red twigs and buds in winter.

    Where
    The most abundant tree in eastern North America.
    Confused with
    Fresh green leaves on the tree are not the hazard. Wilted leaves after a storm or pruning are.
    Risk
    Horses only, and only from wilted or dried leaves: gallic acid destroys red blood cells. A storm-broken branch in a paddock is the classic case.

    In the record 133,130 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jul · most distinctive in October · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Telling maples apart

  47. Black walnut

    Handle with care

    Juglans nigra

    Long leaves of 15 to 23 toothed leaflets, deeply furrowed dark bark, and a green tennis-ball husk that stains hands black.

    Where
    Woodland and old farmyards across eastern and central North America.
    Risk
    Mouldy hulls carry tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause seizures in dogs; shavings used as horse bedding cause laminitis within hours.

    In the record 39,932 georeferenced records · half of them May–Aug · most distinctive in October · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

    Identifying walnut trees

  48. Yucca

    Handle with care

    Yucca species

    Rosette of rigid sword leaves ending in a needle point, on a woody trunk, with a tall panicle of creamy bells in summer.

    Where
    Dry gardens across the US Southwest, and a common indoor cane plant.
    Risk
    Steroidal saponins. Vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling; sharp leaf tips also cause eye injuries.

    In the record 140,277 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in February · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  49. Boxwood

    Handle with care

    Buxus sempervirens

    Dense shrub with small opposite oval leaves, glossy above and notched at the tip, giving off a distinctive musty cat-like smell.

    Where
    Formal hedging and topiary across Europe and North America.
    Risk
    Steroidal alkaloids. Vomiting and diarrhoea; horses eating a hedge can develop respiratory failure.

    In the record 172,248 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jun · most distinctive in January · mostly from France check on GBIF

  50. Morning glory

    Handle with care

    Ipomoea species

    Twining annual vine with heart-shaped leaves and wide trumpet flowers that open at dawn and collapse by afternoon.

    Where
    Fences and trellises worldwide; a serious crop weed in warm regions.
    Risk
    Seeds contain lysergic alkaloids. Large amounts cause hallucination, agitation, tremors and diarrhoea.

    In the record 403,563 georeferenced records · half of them Jul–Nov · most distinctive in November · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  51. Bird of paradise

    Handle with care

    Strelitzia reginae

    Paddle-shaped grey-green leaves on long stalks, with an orange and blue flower emerging sideways from a green boat-shaped bract.

    Where
    Frost-free gardens in California, Florida and the Mediterranean; indoors elsewhere.
    Risk
    Hydrocyanic-type glycosides in the seeds. Vomiting, drowsiness; the leaves are largely inert.

    In the record 1,562 georeferenced records · half of them Feb–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from South Africa check on GBIF

  52. Asparagus fern

    Handle with care

    Asparagus densiflorus

    Not a fern — feathery bright-green needle-like cladodes on wiry arching stems, with small red berries.

    Where
    A hanging-basket standard; invasive in Florida, Hawaii and Australia.
    Risk
    Sapogenins in the berries cause vomiting and diarrhoea; repeated contact with the foliage causes dermatitis.

    In the record 1,817 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from Australia check on GBIF

  53. Croton

    Handle with care

    Codiaeum variegatum

    Thick leathery leaves splashed and veined in yellow, orange and scarlet, in shapes from strap to corkscrew.

    Where
    Indoor colour plant everywhere; a landscape shrub in the tropics.
    Risk
    Irritant latex. Mouth burning, vomiting, and skin inflammation on handling.

    In the record 5,988 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in November · mostly from Indonesia check on GBIF

  54. Iris

    Handle with care

    Iris species

    Flat fans of sword leaves and six-part flowers with three upright standards and three drooping falls, often bearded.

    Where
    Borders and pond margins throughout the temperate world.
    Risk
    Irisin and pentacyclic terpenoids concentrated in the rhizome. Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy.

  55. Marigold

    Handle with care

    Tagetes species

    Strongly scented pinnate leaves and dense orange or yellow pompons; the smell is what most people notice first.

    Where
    The default annual bedding plant worldwide.
    Risk
    Mild stomach upset and skin irritation from the foliage. Not a serious poisoning risk.

    In the record 43,339 georeferenced records · half of them Jul–Oct · most distinctive in November · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

    Marigold botany

  56. Spider plant

    Chlorophytum comosum

    Listed non-toxic for dogs and cats. It does contain mild opioid-like compounds that make some cats chew it and then vomit — an upset stomach, not poisoning.

    Where
    One of the most widely grown houseplants in the world.

    In the record 3,275 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Australia check on GBIF

  57. Boston fern

    Nephrolepis exaltata

    Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. A genuine fern, unlike asparagus fern, which is toxic — check the label.

    Where
    Hanging baskets and shaded porches everywhere.

    In the record 1,584 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in December · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  58. Parlor palm and areca palm

    Chamaedorea elegans, Dypsis lutescens

    True palms are non-toxic. If you want the palm look in a house with a dog, these are the safe substitutes for sago palm.

    Where
    The standard indoor palms in Europe and North America.

    In the record 714 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–May · most distinctive in February · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

  59. Ponytail palm

    Beaucarnea recurvata

    Non-toxic. A swollen water-storing base topped with a fountain of thin curling leaves — technically an agave relative, not a palm.

    Where
    Sold everywhere as an easy sculptural houseplant.

    In the record 551 georeferenced records · half of them May–Aug · most distinctive in August · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

  60. Calathea and prayer plant

    Calathea and Maranta species

    Non-toxic to dogs and cats. The obvious safe replacement when someone wants patterned foliage without oxalates.

    Where
    Popular indoor foliage plants worldwide.

    In the record 9,890 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Costa Rica check on GBIF

  61. Peperomia

    Peperomia species

    Non-toxic across the genus. Thick succulent-ish leaves, often ridged or watermelon-striped, on short stems.

    Where
    A large, easy houseplant genus grown all over the world.

    In the record 130,213 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

  62. African violet

    Saintpaulia ionantha

    Non-toxic. A flowering windowsill plant that is safe in a house with cats.

    Where
    Windowsills across Europe and North America.

    In the record 76 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jul · mostly from TZ check on GBIF

  63. Moth orchid

    Phalaenopsis species

    Non-toxic to dogs and cats. The bark chips in the pot are a bigger hazard than the plant, because dogs swallow them.

    Where
    The best-selling flowering houseplant in the world.
    Orchid names and species

  64. Christmas cactus

    Schlumbergera species

    Non-toxic. Flat segmented stems with scalloped edges and magenta or white flowers at the tips in midwinter.

    Where
    A traditional Christmas plant across Europe and North America.

  65. Haworthia and echeveria

    Haworthia and Echeveria species

    Both genera are listed non-toxic — the safe succulents to keep instead of aloe, jade or kalanchoe.

    Where
    Sold in every succulent tray in every garden centre.

    In the record 4,018 georeferenced records · half of them Feb–Jul · most distinctive in February · mostly from South Africa check on GBIF

  66. Rose

    Rosa species

    Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The thorns cause more vet visits than the chemistry ever will.

    Where
    Gardens everywhere.
    Confused with
    Rose of Sharon, Christmas rose and desert rose are all unrelated plants, and all three are toxic.

    In the record 2,436,329 georeferenced records · half of them May–Jul · most distinctive in August · mostly from the United Kingdom check on GBIF

    Rose botanical names

  67. Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus

    Non-toxic. Seeds are safe in small amounts, though the shells are indigestible and can pack the gut.

    Where
    Gardens and field crops worldwide.

    In the record 82,286 georeferenced records · half of them Jun–Aug · most distinctive in September · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  68. Snapdragon, zinnia and petunia

    Antirrhinum, Zinnia, Petunia

    All three are listed non-toxic — the reliable backbone of a bedding scheme in a garden a dog uses.

    Where
    Summer bedding across the temperate world.

    In the record 90,021 georeferenced records · half of them Mar–Jun · most distinctive in May · mostly from Spain check on GBIF

  69. Basil, rosemary, thyme and sage

    Ocimum, Salvia rosmarinus, Thymus, Salvia officinalis

    All non-toxic. A herb window box is safe next to a cat, unlike the chive and garlic end of the same shelf.

    Where
    Kitchen gardens and windowsills everywhere.

    In the record 26,871 georeferenced records · half of them Apr–Sep · most distinctive in November · mostly from Brazil check on GBIF

  70. True bamboo

    Bambusoideae

    Genuine bamboo is non-toxic. Two impostors are not: lucky bamboo is a Dracaena, and heavenly bamboo (Nandina) is cyanogenic.

    Where
    Screens and containers worldwide.
    Bamboo species and names

  71. Catnip and cat grass

    Nepeta cataria, Avena sativa

    Non-toxic and actively useful: a cat with something legitimate to chew leaves the oxalate-bearing houseplants alone.

    Where
    Sold as seed and as ready-grown pots everywhere.

    In the record 39,125 georeferenced records · half of them May–Jul · most distinctive in July · mostly from the United States check on GBIF

  72. Money tree

    Pachira aquatica

    Non-toxic. The braided-trunk plant sold as a good-luck gift, not to be confused with the toxic money plant, which is a pothos.

    Where
    Offices and homes worldwide.

    In the record 3,439 georeferenced records · half of them Jan–Jun · most distinctive in February · mostly from Mexico check on GBIF

    Which plant is the money plant

  73. Cast iron plant

    Aspidistra elatior

    Non-toxic and close to indestructible: the sensible choice for a dark corner in a house with a chewer.

    Where
    A Victorian parlour plant still sold everywhere.

    In the record 533 georeferenced records · half of them Feb–May · most distinctive in February · mostly from Japan check on GBIF

Read the severity column before you panic

The word "toxic" does most of the damage here. It is applied identically to a peace lily, which makes a cat's mouth hurt for two hours, and to an Easter lily, which destroys the same cat's kidneys overnight. People who have read that both are dangerous learn to discount the warning, and then they discount the one that mattered.

Three mechanisms account for nearly every entry above, and they behave completely differently:

  • Insoluble calcium oxalates — philodendron, pothos, peace lily, dieffenbachia, monstera, caladium. Needle-shaped crystals fire into the mouth lining on the first bite. The pain is immediate and self-limiting, which is exactly why the animal stops eating. Serious cases involve swelling of the throat, not organ damage.
  • Cardiac glycosides — oleander, foxglove, lily of the valley, milkweed, kalanchoe. These act on the heart, the effects are dose-dependent rather than immediate, and the animal often looks fine for several hours. Any suspected exposure is a same-day vet call even with no symptoms.
  • Organ-specific toxins — sago palm (liver), true lily in cats (kidney), grape in dogs (kidney), Allium in both (red blood cells). These have treatment windows measured in hours and the damage is done before anything shows.

If you remember one thing from this page: the plants that look mildest for the first six hours are the ones that kill. A dog vomiting furiously after chewing dieffenbachia is having a much better day than a cat who walked past a bouquet and licked its paws.

Cats and dogs are not interchangeable

Four of the entries in this table are species-specific, and getting them the wrong way round is a common and expensive mistake.

Where the risk depends entirely on which animal ate it. Compiled from ASPCA Animal Poison Control case data and Pet Poison Helpline advisories.
PlantDogsCatsHorses
True lily (Lilium, Hemerocallis)Mild stomach upsetAcute kidney failure, often fatalNot established
Grapes and raisinsAcute kidney failureNo confirmed casesNot established
Red maple, wilted leavesNo significant riskNo significant riskDestroys red blood cells; often fatal
Onion and garlicAnaemia at higher dosesAnaemia at much lower dosesAnaemia; horses are also sensitive
Black walnut shavingsSeizures from mouldy hullsRarely exposedLaminitis within hours of bedding contact

The lily case deserves its own sentence, because it is the single most preventable pet poisoning in the developed world. Cut flowers are the usual vector. Pollen brushed onto fur and groomed off is enough. If a bouquet with lilies has been in a house with a cat, the safe assumption is exposure, and the correct action is a vet call the same day rather than watching to see whether the cat looks ill.

The part matters as much as the plant

Filtering by part eaten is not a nicety. In several genera the toxin is concentrated so unevenly that "the plant is poisonous" is a misleading summary.

Bulbs are the clearest example. Daffodil, tulip, hyacinth and amaryllis all carry many times more alkaloid in the bulb than in the leaves or flowers, and the animals most at risk are dogs who dig. A dog that eats a daffodil flower off a table is usually fine; a dog that unearths a bag of forced bulbs in a shed is an emergency. Store bulbs the way you store slug pellets.

Yew inverts the logic. The soft red aril around the seed is the one harmless part of the tree, which is why birds spread it, and the seed inside that aril is lethal. Rhubarb concentrates soluble oxalates in the leaf blade while the stalk is a food crop. Avocado holds most of its persin in the leaves, bark and pit rather than the flesh. Castor bean puts effectively all of its ricin in the seed, and an intact seed swallowed whole frequently passes through undamaged — it is chewing that does the harm.

Two practical consequences. First, when you call a vet, say which part and roughly how much; it changes the treatment. Second, keep the specimen. A photograph of the plant, or better a cutting in a bag, is worth more than any description you can give over the phone.

What actually to do in the first ten minutes

  1. Get the plant material out of the mouth and rinse the mouth with water if the animal will let you. For oxalate plants this alone shortens the episode considerably.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. With irritant and caustic plants it doubles the injury, and with a seizing animal it risks aspiration.
  3. Call. ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 in the US; your own vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 in the UK. There is a consultation fee for the US hotlines and it is worth it — they will give your vet a case number and a protocol.
  4. Photograph the plant, then bag a piece. Include a leaf, a flower and a fruit if there is one. Identification determines whether the animal gets sent home or put on fluids.
  5. Write down the time and your best estimate of quantity. Decontamination decisions hinge on how long ago it happened.

Symptoms that mean go now rather than wait: repeated vomiting, drooling with an inability to swallow, staggering or collapse, seizures, laboured breathing, a distended abdomen, or a heart rate that is obviously very slow or very fast. With the organ toxins — sago, true lily in cats, grape in dogs — an animal with no symptoms still needs to be seen, because the treatable window closes before symptoms start.

Building a garden and a windowsill that are actually safe

Removing every plant on the toxic side of this table is neither necessary nor realistic. Most of the mild-severity entries cause a bad hour, and most animals never touch them. Prioritise instead:

  • Remove outright: sago palm, oleander, castor bean, autumn crocus, yew where livestock or a bulb-digging dog can reach it, and true lilies in any house with a cat. These are the entries where a single incident can be terminal.
  • Relocate rather than remove: the oxalate houseplants — pothos, philodendron, dieffenbachia, monstera. Height works. Cats defeat height, so for cats it has to be a room with a closed door.
  • Substitute deliberately. Parlor palm instead of sago. Calathea instead of a spotted philodendron. Haworthia instead of aloe. Christmas cactus instead of kalanchoe. Every safe entry in the filter above was chosen because it fills a specific decorative job that a toxic plant currently does.
  • Give the animal something legal to chew. A pot of cat grass or catnip absorbs most of the behaviour that otherwise lands on the pothos.

Outdoors, the highest-yield change is usually not the borders at all but the compost heap and the clipping pile. Wilted yew, oleander and red maple prunings are more dangerous than the growing plant, and horses in particular will eat them off a heap that has been thrown over a paddock fence.

Limits of this table, stated plainly

73 plants is a working shortlist of what people actually have in the house and on the street, not a complete toxicology reference. The ASPCA database runs to over a thousand species and is the authority; where this page and the ASPCA disagree, follow the ASPCA.

Three other limits worth naming. Toxicity is dose-dependent and body-weight-dependent, so nothing here can tell you whether the amount your animal ate matters. Individual sensitivity varies enormously — the grape case is the notorious example, where some dogs eat a punnet with no effect and others fail on a handful. And common names are treacherous: "lily", "bamboo", "money plant", "rose" and "ivy" each cover both safe and dangerous species. Where a plant is worth worrying about, this table gives the scientific name, and that is the name to give a vet.

If you are unsure what the plant even is, photograph it and check the identification first — a name you guessed is worse than no name, because it produces confident advice about the wrong species.

What the observation record shows

Every entry in this key that carries a scientific name is matched against GBIF, the international register of biodiversity records, and against iNaturalist. That puts a hard number behind 69 of the 73plants here: 3,899,483 georeferenced records across the 43 entries that resolve to a single species, spanning 39 families, the oldest of them collected in 1932. The snapshot was taken on 2026-09-04.

That evidence is not spread evenly, and it is worth knowing before you trust a narrow result. The five best-recorded plants in this key hold 72% of all the records between them: English ivy alone accounts for 1,274,719, while Dracaena has 15. A common thing is common in the data too, so when a filter narrows to one frequent entry and one rare one, the frequent one is usually the answer — and the record count is the quickest way to see which is which. The same skew applies geographically: 23% of these records come from France, so the key describes what is reported there far better than it describes anywhere else.

When these are actually reported

Share of 3,063,404 GBIF records of 43 plants by month of the year, against the seasonal average for all Orvik records 0%5%10%15%20%JFMAMJJASOND■ share of records — vs. all Orvik records 1.0 = the seasonal average
Half of the 3,063,404 georeferenced records for these 43 plants fall in April–July alone. The bars are the raw share by month, which mostly measures when people go looking; the line divides each month by the baseline for every species in every Orvik key, so a value above 1.0 means these plants are reported more than the season alone explains, and it peaks in June. Source: GBIF, snapshot 2026-09-04.

Half of every record for this group falls in April–July. A raw month count measures two things at once — when the organism is about, and when people are outdoors with a camera — and the second effect is large enough to give almost anything a summer peak. The line on the figure divides each month by the baseline for every species in every Orvik key, which answers a different question: relative to when people record anything at all, when are these plants recorded? Values above 1.0 are the months that belong to this group rather than to the season. On that measure 28 of the 43plants here peak outside the warm half of the year — English ivy, Boxwood, Red maple among them. Those are the ones a seasonal rule of thumb gets wrong.

Records behind each entry

Sorted by how much evidence exists, not by how likely you are to meet one. The peak month is the effort-adjusted figure, and it is left blank wherever the sample is too thin for the month-to-month wobble to mean anything.

GBIF and iNaturalist record counts for the 69 named plants in this key, snapshot 2026-09-04. Rows above species rank aggregate everything beneath them and are not comparable with the rest. Free to reuse with a link to this page.
EntryAccepted nameRankGBIF recordsResearch-gradeHalf fall inPeak, adjustedMost reported from
English ivyHedera helix L.species1,274,719180,225Mar–JulFebruaryFrance
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea L.species557,582109,968May–JulJunethe United Kingdom
Lily of the valleyConvallaria majalis L.species476,91877,411Apr–JunMaySweden
YewTaxus baccata L.species308,90142,272May–AugAugustthe United Kingdom
BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens L.species172,24828,104Mar–JunJanuaryFrance
Autumn crocusColchicum autumnale L.species170,37622,019Apr–JunSeptemberFrance
Red mapleAcer rubrum L.species133,130162,550Mar–JulOctoberthe United States
Virginia creeperParthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.species118,892162,515Apr–JunAprilthe United States
OleanderNerium oleander L.species110,51481,454May–AugJanuarySpain
Grape and raisin vineVitis vinifera L.species108,42419,323Apr–JulSeptemberPortugal
Castor beanRicinus communis L.species94,34481,256Jan–JunDecemberthe United States
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.species82,28685,074Jun–AugSeptemberthe United States
ChinaberryMelia azedarach L.species59,07955,325Jan–MayNovemberthe United States
WolfsbaneAconitum napellus L.species56,8129,233Jul–AugAugustFrance
Black walnutJuglans nigra L.species39,93285,701May–AugOctoberthe United States
Catnip and cat grassNepeta cataria L.species39,12527,394May–JulJulythe United States
HydrangeaHydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser.species12,79848,852Jun–AugJulyPortugal
Water hemlockCicuta maculata L.species12,53220,714Jun–JulJulythe United States
CyclamenCyclamen persicum Mill.species10,3347,283Jan–MarFebruaryIsrael
PothosEpipremnum aureum (Linden & André) G.S.Buntingspecies8,10538,545Jan–MayDecemberthe United States
Arrowhead plantSyngonium podophyllum Schottspecies6,97918,319Jan–JunNovemberthe United States
CrotonCodiaeum variegatum (L.) Rumph. ex A.Juss.species5,98848,488Jan–JunNovemberIndonesia
MonsteraMonstera deliciosa Liebm.species5,75221,544Jan–MayFebruaryAustralia
WisteriaWisteria sinensis (Sims) DC.species5,59523,854Mar–MayMarchthe United States
DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schottspecies3,66512,122Jan–JunNovemberBrazil
Money treePachira aquatica Aubl.species3,4396,936Jan–JunFebruaryMexico
PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzschspecies3,38521,204Jan–JunDecemberMexico
Spider plantChlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacquesspecies3,27519,833Jan–JunFebruaryAustralia
Snake plantDracaena trifasciata (Prain) Mabb.species2,951—Feb–JunNovemberBrazil
Jade plantCrassula ovata (Mill.) Drucespecies2,32128,409Mar–JulDecemberSouth Africa
Asparagus fernAsparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessopspecies1,81713,661Jan–JunNovemberAustralia
Boston fernNephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schottspecies1,58411,129Jan–JunDecemberthe United States
Bird of paradiseStrelitzia reginae Banksspecies1,56219,206Feb–JunNovemberSouth Africa
Sago palmCycas revoluta Thunb.species1,29122,917Jan–JunFebruaryJapan
Parlor palm and areca palmChamaedorea elegans Mart.species7142,861Jan–MayFebruaryMexico
Ponytail palmBeaucarnea recurvata (K.Koch & Fintelm.) Lem.species5514,645May–AugAugustMexico
Cast iron plantAspidistra elatior Blumespecies5334,505Feb–MayFebruaryJapan
ScheffleraSchefflera arboricola Hayata, 1916species328—Sep–JanDecemberTaiwan
KalanchoeKalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.species32527,097Jan–JunJanuaryColombia
ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia (G.Lodd.) Engl.species18810,149Jan–JunDecemberSouth Africa
Aloe veraAloe barbadensis Mill.species9848,174Feb–Apr—Mexico
African violetSaintpaulia ionantha H.Wendl.species76—Mar–Jul—TZ
DracaenaDracaena marginata Lem.species155,396Nov–Nov—PK
RoseRosa L.genus2,436,32910,017,950May–JulAugustthe United Kingdom
NightshadeSolanum L.genus2,156,584829,150May–AugNovemberthe United Kingdom
Onion, garlic, leek and chiveAllium L.genus1,395,158—Apr–JunAprilFrance
HollyIlex L.L.genus1,043,006403,501Mar–JulNovemberthe United Kingdom
Rhododendron and azaleaRhododendron L.genus706,341449,103May–JulJulythe United Kingdom
MilkweedAsclepias L.genus518,914681,879May–JulJulythe United States
Buckeye and horse chestnutAesculus L.genus429,086226,651Apr–JunAprilthe United Kingdom
Morning gloryIpomoea L.genus403,563415,588Jul–NovNovemberthe United States
DaffodilNarcissus L.genus348,109154,319Mar–AprMarchthe United Kingdom
True lilyLilium Tourn. ex L.genus300,815186,266Jun–JulJulyFrance
YuccaYucca L.genus140,277280,512Jan–MayFebruarythe United States
PeperomiaPeperomia Ruiz & Pav.genus130,21349,228Jan–JunFebruaryBrazil
BegoniaBegonia L.genus105,694—Jan–JunFebruaryBrazil
Tulip and hyacinthTulipa L.genus101,943—Mar–AprAprilFrance
Snapdragon, zinnia and petuniaAntirrhinum L.genus90,021—Mar–JunMaySpain
PhilodendronPhilodendron Schottgenus74,61143,357Jan–JunFebruaryColombia
MistletoePhoradendron Nutt.genus68,40750,283Jan–MayFebruarythe United States
MarigoldTagetes L.genus43,33982,823Jul–OctNovemberMexico
Basil, rosemary, thyme and sageOcimum L.genus26,87148,425Apr–SepNovemberBrazil
ChrysanthemumChrysanthemum L.genus18,212—Jul–OctNovemberRussia
Calathea and prayer plantCalathea G.Mey.genus9,8907,244Jan–JunFebruaryCosta Rica
Peace lilySpathiphyllum Schottgenus7,73229,186Jan–JunFebruaryColombia
Caladium and elephant earCaladium Vent.genus7,58727,698Jan–JunNovemberBrazil
AmaryllisHippeastrum Herb.genus4,87328,549Aug–NovNovemberBrazil
Haworthia and echeveriaHaworthia Duvalgenus4,018—Feb–JulFebruarySouth Africa
Chinese evergreenAglaonema Schottgenus1,61716,564Jan–JunDecemberIndonesia

This table is assembled from open data and is free to reuse with a link back to this page. The snapshot behind every Orvik key is published as one downloadable file on the open field data page, with each source's licence terms.

Questions people ask about this

My dog ate a leaf and seems fine. Do I still need to call anyone?

For the mild-severity entries — pothos, spider plant, poinsettia, holly — watching at home is reasonable. For anything flagged as "can kill", especially sago palm, true lily in a cat, autumn crocus, oleander or grapes in a dog, call immediately even with no symptoms. Those toxins have a treatment window that closes before the animal looks ill, and by the time symptoms appear the outcome is largely decided.

Is a peace lily as dangerous to cats as a real lily?

No, and the difference is enormous. Peace lily is an arum: its calcium oxalate crystals cause a painful mouth for an hour or two. True lilies in the genera Lilium and Hemerocallis cause acute kidney failure in cats from tiny exposures including pollen. If a shop label just says "lily", look at the flower — a white hood wrapped around a cream spike is a peace lily, while six separate petals with heavy anthers is a true lily.

Which houseplants are genuinely safe with cats?

Filter the table to "Listed non-toxic" and "Houseplant". The reliable core is spider plant, Boston fern, parlor and areca palm, ponytail palm, calathea and prayer plant, peperomia, African violet, moth orchid, Christmas cactus, haworthia, cast iron plant and money tree. Adding a pot of cat grass alongside them reduces the chance the cat goes looking for something else to chew.

Are poinsettias really deadly?

No. The reputation comes from a single unverified report of a child's death in 1919 and has never been supported since. Poinsettia sap is a mild irritant that causes drooling and occasionally vomiting. The genuine December hazards in the same living room are lilies in the bouquet, chocolate, raisins in the cake, and the bulbs forced in a bowl.

Does the toxicity change when the plant is dried, wilted or cooked?

Sometimes, and not always downwards. Wilted red maple leaves are dangerous to horses while fresh ones are not. Yew and oleander stay lethal in dried clippings. Onion and garlic remain toxic when cooked, dried and powdered — a stock cube counts. Mouldy black walnut hulls are far worse than sound ones. Assume that drying preserves the toxin unless you have a specific reason to think otherwise.

How much of a plant does it take to matter?

This table deliberately does not print threshold doses, because published lethal doses come from livestock feeding trials and do not transfer to a 4 kg cat or a 40 kg dog with any reliability. The workable rule is the severity column: for the "mouth or stomach upset" entries the amount rarely matters, for the "needs a vet" entries the amount changes the treatment, and for the "can kill" entries any confirmed ingestion is treated as significant.

Can I use a photo to identify the plant my pet ate?

Yes, and it is the fastest route when you do not know the name. Photograph a whole leaf, the flower, and any fruit or berry against a plain background, then run the identification and cross-check the result against this table using the scientific name rather than the common one. Take the physical cutting to the vet as well — an app narrows the possibilities, a specimen settles them.

Still not sure? Point a camera at it

A filter narrows plants down to a shortlist. Orvik reads the photo itself and names the species, with the look-alikes ranked underneath so you can check the call yourself.

Get Orvik free

Keep reading on Orvik

Other free Orvik tools

Identify a tree by its leafIdentify a tree by its barkWhat wildflower is this?What succulent is this?How old is this tree?When do I start these seeds?What caterpillar is this?What spider is this?

Where the data comes from