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Safe and Toxic Garden Plant Images
Revised: August 09, 2023
Published: July 03, 2018

The flowers and plants listed here are typically the most common ones used in gardening. See more at the ASPCA 's Animal Poison Control Center.

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The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control is available 24 hours a day at 888-426-4435. Expect an initial consultation fee of around $100.00 and additional follow-up is at no charge. You will be assigned a case number your veterinarian can use to communicate with a toxicology specialist before beginning treatment.

If your pet has a HomeAgain microchip, a free poison control consultation is included in the full-service registration. Call 1-888-466-3242.

https://www.homeagain.com/our-services/emergency-medical-hotline

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control


Poisonous plants that can potentially kill your pet or cause serious damage:

Azalea
Pink flowers with darker pink speckles in the center with dark, smooth leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Contains grayanotoxin which causes cardiovascular collapse, diarrhea, vomiting (in cats and dogs, not horses), and general weakness.

Castor Bean Plant and Beans (also known as Castor Oil Plant, African Wonder Tree, Mole Bean)
Dark brownish, star-shaped leaves branching out from the center of the leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Beans are extremely toxic and may cause convulsions, oral burning (mouth and throat), thirstiness, diarrhea, and vomiting. Symptoms may start with a loss of appetite, weakness, trembling, breathing issues, fever, and eventual central nervous system shut-down leading to coma and death. These plants contain ricin, a highly toxic chemical that can reach deadly amounts in only one ounce of seeds.

Castor Beans
Beans with a very marbled tan and brown appearance
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Lethal if chewed; extremely toxic. They may cause convulsions, oral burning (mouth and throat), thirstiness, diarrhea, vomiting, and even death.

Cyclamen
Pink-fuchsia colored petals, sweet-smelling, long stems with flowers themselves above the leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes heart arrhythmias if the root/tuber is eaten in large quantities, otherwise just upset stomach.

Daffodil
Flowers that grow on one stem per flower, white petals on outside, yellow petals in the center of the flower.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Daffodils, especially the bulb, cause convulsions, tremors, and heart arrhythmia. Photo courtesy of Karen James, VIN.

Easter Lily
Large white lily with elongated leaves, yellow stamen.
Toxic to cats, non-toxic to dogs and horses. Known to cause kidney failure in cats, inappetence, vomiting, and even death.

Foxglove
Purple, bell-shaped flowers that grow together in a tall cylindrical shape.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Affects the heart; may cause arrhythmias and heart failure, diarrhea and vomiting, weakness, and even death.

Oleander
Small white flowers that grown in bunches shown here. Oleander also occurs in other colors like pink.
Toxic to dogs, cats, goats, cattle, sheep, rabbits, and horses. Oleander contains chemicals that affect the heart, potentially causing arrhythmias, blood pressure issues, diarrhea, vomiting, neurological signs, and shock.

Sago Palm
Sago palms are palms that have glossy leaves that almost appear feather-like.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. These plants can cause increased thirst, vomiting, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis causing bloody diarrhea, issues with blood clotting, liver damage, or even failure. Death is possible. Sago palms are often used as potted plants as well as planted outdoors.

Star Gazer Lily
Picture of Star Gazer Lily- Pink and white freckled flower with large stamen in the middle of flowers.
Toxic to cats- Kidney failure, inappetence, lethargy and weakness, vomiting, and even death. Non-toxic to dogs and horses.

Tiger Lily
Bright orange lilies.
Toxic to cats – Non-toxic to dogs and horses. For cats- inappetence, kidney failure, lethargy, vomiting, and even death are possible. Some tiger lilies have spots. Other daylilies as shown above also cause kidney failure in cats.

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Toxic plants that are not as dangerous, but may make your pet sick:

Aloe Vera
Succulent with elongated slender, fleshy leaves with some spines on either side of the leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, and vomiting (although no vomiting in horses) are possible.

Begonia
Light pink/coral colored, round flowers with a flatter, rose-like flower shape. Heart-shaped leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The most toxic parts of the plant are underground but can cause cats and dogs to salivate and vomit. Oxalate crystals in the plant embed in the mouth causing pain and inflammation. *Kidney failure is possible in grazing animals.

Bird of paradise
Yellow, spikey flowers with some blue and red on leaves/structures. Resembles a bird's head with feathers sticking up on the top.
(Strelitzia reginae) Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Mainly the seeds and fruit can cause drowsiness, and GI distress (diarrhea and vomiting). *Note: Caesalpinia or Poinciana gilliesii are also known as Bird of Paradise plants and are more toxic.

Bougainvillea
Clustered dark pink/reddish flowers that grow on a shrub
Non-toxic but can cause GI upset and skin/oral/throat irritation and injury from thorns. Photo by Dr. Teri Ann Oursler

Calla Lily
White lilies with a tall, cup-like shape and bright yellow stamen in the center.
Toxic to cats and dogs- Severe oral (lips, mouth, tongue) burning and irritation may occur in addition to drooling, swallowing difficulty, and vomiting.

Carnation
Round flower with a lot of fringed petals layered together to form a globe shape, may come in different colors.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Carnations exist in many colors (pink, red, white, etc.) and can cause an upset stomach and mild dermatitis (skin irritation and inflammation).

Chrysanthemum
Yellow pom-pom like flower, can come in various colors.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes diarrhea, drooling, incoordination, and vomiting (no vomiting in horses).

Coleus ampoinicus- also known as Spanish Thyme, Stinging Thyme, Indian or Country Borage, and others
Bright leaves (grow as shrubs). Some leaves have fringed edges. These are red in the center and yellow on the perimeter of the leaves.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes anorexia, drooling, depression, and incoordination. Diarrhea and vomiting are possible and may be bloody. (No vomiting in horses.)

Cosmos
Non-toxic but may cause GI upset in general.

Daisy
Yellow, round center surrounded by small, elongated, and layered white petals.
*Daisy is a very common name, and not all plants within the family Asteraceae and called daisy have the same properties (toxic/non-toxic variability). Chrysanthemum species are toxic to dogs and cats and may cause dermatitis, diarrhea and vomiting, hypersalivation and wobbliness/incoordination.

Dumb Cane
Dark green leaves with lighter green outlining the leaves' veins.
Toxic to cats and dogs- Severe oral (lips, mouth, tongue) burning and irritation may occur in addition to drooling, swallowing difficulty, and vomiting.

Elephant Ear Plant
Large, heart-shaped leaves- bright green in color.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes irritation, pain, and swelling of the mouth (including lips and tongue), trouble swallowing, excessive drooling, and vomiting (no vomiting in horses).

Fleabane
Small, clustered white flowers with yellow centers.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Fleabane is irritating to the GI tract and skin, causing mild stomach/intestinal upset and dermatitis.

Gardenia
Whirled white petals surrounding delicate yellow stamen in the cebter.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes upset stomach (mild vomiting/diarrhea though no vomiting in horses) and hives.

Geranium (maroon)
Clustered burgundy flowers, may come in redder tones.
(Pelargonium species) Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses- GI upset, anorexia, vomiting, depression, and skin irritation/dermatitis. Photo by Dr. Teri Ann Oursler

Hibiscus
larger white flower with pink and dark pink center/stamen
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, but may cause stomach upset.

Hydrangea
Shrub plant with clustered pink, purple, and purple-blue flowers
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses- GI issues may occur including diarrhea and vomiting. Depression and lethargy are also possible.

Iris
Blue-purple flowers that stand alone on each stem, yellow and white streaks in the middle of petals.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The bulb is the most toxic part of this plant. Drooling, lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting are possible (no vomiting in horses).

Kalanchoe
Clustered red flowers, succulent, oval leaves
Toxic to cats and dogs. Causes GI upset and rarely can cause heart arrhythmias.

Mother-in-law's Tongue (also known as the Snake Plant)
Elongated leaves with green/dark green striped appearance.
Toxic to cats and dogs- GI upset including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may occur.

Peace Lily
White lilies with pointed, glossy dark green leaves
Toxic to cats and dogs- Severe oral (lips, mouth, tongue) burning and irritation may occur in addition to drooling, swallowing difficulty, and vomiting.

Dianthus (or Sweet William- Dianthus caryophyllus)
5-part flowers with pink, purple, and white (sometimes frilled) petals (white around the edges of petals in this picture)
Toxic to dogs and cats. Causes mild upset stomach and dermatitis.

Plumbago
NOTE: Plumbago is a common name for two different plant species. Plumbago species can cause dermatitis in animals. Ceratostigma species are nontoxic.

Poinsettia
Shrub with bright red, well-defined leaf-like petals and a yellow center
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes mouth irritation and upset stomach (including vomiting).
By http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/k7244-2.htm, Public Domain.

Primrose
Small, flatter rose-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors, grow in clusters. Shown here: yellow, white, purple, pink, and red.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes mild stomach upset, and vomiting.

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Plants that are safe for your pet:

Alyssum

Blue Daisy

Boston Fern

Bottle Brush Flower
Photo Courtesy Dr. Teri Ann Oursler

Camelia

Canna Lily

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Celosia plumosa

Christmas Cactus

Coreopsis

Echeveria Succulents

Gerber Daisy
(Gerber or Gerbera Daisy)

Gloxinia

Impatiens

Marigolds

Nasturtiums

Pampas Grass

Pansy
Yellow and purple flowers with yellow centers.

Persian Violet

Petunia
Photo by Dr. Teri Ann Oursler

Polka Dot Plant

Roses

Snapdragons

Spider Plant

Star Jasmine

Sunflowers

Sword Fern

Violet
Courtesy of Depositphotos

Zinnia
Courtesy of Depositphotos

   

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