12 Common Garden Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

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Many people find gardening a great hobby that adds beauty to their home. But some plants you plant outside or in your home garden can kill your cat if they eat even one leaf. While some plants can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, other poisonous species can lead to more severe illness.

Here are twelve common garden plants you should avoid if your cat can access your garden.

Lily of the Valley

This lovely-looking plant can be deadly for your feline friends. The entire plant is poisonous because of the cardiac glycoside found in it, which makes it toxic to cats. Consumption can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and, in some cases, heart issues.

Sago Palm

Sago palm is another common ornamental plant that is very toxic to cats. Cycasin, a pet toxin, exists in the seeds and leaves of potential edible fruit. Well, any amount of this plant can injure your kitty; no furry one is safe!

Azaleas/Rhododendrons

These colorful flowering plants may be a staple in many gardens, but they are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant, including flowers, leaves, and stems, contain grayanotoxins, which can lead to drooling, vomiting, and even heart issues if consumed.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, a well-known medicinal plant, is toxic to cats upon ingestion. The gel in the leaves can cause felines to experience vomiting and diarrhea, and the latex in the outer layer can cause some poisoning symptoms, like depression or tremors.

Tulips

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Tulips are colorful, cup-shaped springtime flowers and are a general sign of planting in borders or edging gardens. However, if ingested, they can be deadly for cats. Their bulbs contain glycosides that can cause drooling, vomiting, and even respiratory complications in cats.

Yew

Yew is an evergreen shrub used in landscaping, but it contains the toxin taxine, which is deadly to cats if eaten. In cats, signs of yew poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea, and difficulty breathing is also possible.

English Ivy

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English ivy is an abundant climbing plant that is ideal as a groundcover or beautifying building. However, it does contain Polyacetylene compounds, which are toxic substances that may cause skin and gastrointestinal irritation to cats when ingested.

Daffodils

Another spring favorite is Daffodils, which are also poisonous to cats. The bulbs contain lycorine, a bitter-tasting alkaloid toxin that, if eaten, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even heart problems in cats. Cats can also develop skin irritation when they come into contact with the plant’s sap.

Oleander

Oleander is a flowered shrub frequently planted for landscaping but toxic to cats. All parts of this plant — flowers, leaves, and sap — can make your cat vomit or have diarrhea or heart rhythm problems.

Chrysanthemums

Mums or Chrysanthemums are well-known fall flowers used in many arrangements, landscaping displays, and seed packets. However, if ingested, they can be toxic to cats. The plants are laced with pyrethrins, which cause minor symptoms such as drooling and diarrhea, as well as major ones such as anemia and respiratory distress.

Hostas

Hostas are leafy greens typically found in gardens and make great ground cover throughout most of the growing season. Although they may serve as a little beauty on the side of your garden, every part of this plant has saponins that irritate a cat’s gastrointestinal system if ingested.

Castor Bean

Castor beans are a tropical plant commonly used for ornamental purposes but can poison cats. The beans contain ricin, a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures in cats if ingested.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.