By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine
After our last cat passed on (she outsmarted local coyotes for 17 years, then died from something else), we replaced her with a Tonkinese named Miss Marple, pictured here. Like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, our new cat is “a noticing sort” of creature, getting her nose into everything, including our indoor plants.
That habit led me to find out which house plants are toxic for felines. Fortunately, there is good online help. The ASPCA site lists toxic and safe plants for pets, while the Cat Fanciers’ Association has a poison-plant list online (but it has lots of ambiguous common names, and no botanical names).
Following are indoor plants from multiple lists, but organized in the way I like them, with botanical names attached. I didn’t include outdoor plants here.
As you read, remember the first principle of toxicology, which is “the dose makes the poison.” In other words, the cat has to eat enough to be affected—and even so, many poisonous plants don’t kill, they just make sick.
How much is too much? The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (888 426-4435; $65) or the Pet Poison Helpline (800 213-6680; $35) can help you figure that out.
Finally, for Animal Poison Control (or your vet) to help, they have to know what exactly your cat ate. “A tall green plant with spiky leaves” isn’t a good answer. If you have pets or kids, know your houseplants by both common and botanical names, which usually come on a tag with the plant, and keep that info where you can find it.
Here are the toxic (to cats) plant lists.
Flowering and fruiting house plants
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species and hybrids)
Azalea (Rhododendron species)
Chrysanthemum
Crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii, E. splendens)
Cyclamen
Geranium (Pelargonium species)
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus species and hybrids)
Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Leafy house plants
Arrowhead plant (Nephthytis, Syngonium podophyllum)
Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
Caladium (Caladium bicolor)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Pictum’)
Cycads (Cycas species)
Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’
Dracaena species
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia amoena)
Elephant’s ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
Fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
Gold dust Dracaena (Dracaena surculosa)
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
Indian laurel (Ficus microcarpa, F. retusa)
Ivy (Hedera species)
Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Philodendron (most)
Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
Schefflera species
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Split-leaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa)
Tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
Succulents
Aloe vera
Candelabra cactus (Euphorbia lactea)
Kalanchoe species
Pencilbush (Euphorbia tirucalii)
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Plants used in centerpieces, vases, wreaths
Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata)
Calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Daffodil (Narcissus species)
Holly (Ilex species)
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus species and hybrids)
Lilies (Lilium species)
Mistletoe (many genera)
Naked lady (Amaryllis belladonna)
Peony (Paeonia species)
Tulip (Tulipa species)
Fruits, nuts, vegetables
Almonds (Prunus dulcis)
Avocado fuit and pit (Persea species)
Onions (Allium cepa)
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
