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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Poisonous plants that can potentially kill your pet or cause serious damage:
Azalea
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)
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
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
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes heart arrhythmias if the root/tuber is eaten in large quantities, otherwise just upset stomach.
Daffodil
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Daffodils, especially the bulb, cause convulsions, tremors, and heart arrhythmia. Photo courtesy of Karen James, VIN.
Easter Lily
Toxic to cats, non-toxic to dogs and horses. Known to cause kidney failure in cats, inappetence, vomiting, and even death.
Foxglove
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Affects the heart; may cause arrhythmias and heart failure, diarrhea and vomiting, weakness, and even death.
Oleander
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
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
Toxic to cats- Kidney failure, inappetence, lethargy and weakness, vomiting, and even death. Non-toxic to dogs and horses.
Tiger Lily
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
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, and vomiting (although no vomiting in horses) are possible.
Begonia
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
(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
Non-toxic but can cause GI upset and skin/oral/throat irritation and injury from thorns.
Photo by Dr. Teri Ann Oursler
Calla Lily
Toxic to cats and dogs- Severe oral (lips, mouth, tongue) burning and irritation may occur in addition to drooling, swallowing difficulty, and vomiting.
Carnation
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
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
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
*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
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
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
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Fleabane is irritating to the GI tract and skin, causing mild stomach/intestinal upset and dermatitis.
Gardenia
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Causes upset stomach (mild vomiting/diarrhea though no vomiting in horses) and hives.
Geranium (maroon)
(Pelargonium species) Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses- GI upset, anorexia, vomiting, depression, and skin irritation/dermatitis. Photo by Dr. Teri Ann Oursler
Hibiscus
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, but may cause stomach upset.
Hydrangea
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses- GI issues may occur including diarrhea and vomiting. Depression and lethargy are also possible.
Iris
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
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)
Toxic to cats and dogs- GI upset including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may occur.
Peace Lily
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)
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
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
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
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