Keeping Your Pets
Safe in the Garden

Sago Palm is one of the most lethal, causing liver failure in dogs even from small amounts. All parts of lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. Oleander causes cardiac toxicity in both dogs and cats. If you suspect ingestion of any of these, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Act immediately. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Do not wait for symptoms, as many toxic reactions are delayed and early treatment dramatically improves outcomes. Identify the plant if possible (take a photo or bring a sample) and note how much was consumed and when. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a professional.

Yes, with strict precautions. Use raised beds, decorative fencing, or keep toxic plants in rooms pets cannot access. Supervise your pets near these areas and train them with "leave it" commands. However, for homes with curious puppies or kittens, choosing pet-safe alternatives is always the safest approach.

No. Some plants concentrate toxins in specific parts (bulbs, seeds, leaves), while others like lilies are dangerous in every part. The severity also depends on the amount consumed and your pet's size. Always treat any ingestion of a known toxic plant as an emergency regardless of the amount.

The ASPCA maintains the most comprehensive searchable database of toxic and non-toxic plants for dogs, cats, and horses. Visit aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants for the full list. Our toxic plant browser above shows common species found in Northeast Florida gardens.

Yes, and they are one of the most serious dangers for cats. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) can cause fatal kidney failure in cats, and every part is toxic including the pollen and even the water in the vase. Just brushing against the flower and grooming the pollen off their fur can be enough. If a cat has any contact with a lily, treat it as an emergency and call your vet or the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435 right away. Lilies are far less dangerous to dogs, but still best avoided.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is common in St. Augustine landscapes and is one of the most lethal plants for dogs. Every part is toxic, especially the seeds, which dogs are drawn to. It causes severe liver failure, and the fatality rate is over 50% even with prompt treatment. If your dog chews any part of a Sago, do not wait for symptoms: go to an emergency vet immediately and bring a piece of the plant.

Several Northeast Florida favorites are toxic, including Sago Palm, Oleander, Azalea, Lantana, Caladium and Elephant Ear, Crown of Thorns, Plumbago, and Dieffenbachia. Many tropical houseplants used outdoors here (Pothos, Philodendron, Peace Lily) are also toxic. Use the searchable list above to check a specific plant, and remember that most pets ignore plants entirely; the list matters most for pets that like to chew.

Most true palms (like Areca, Majesty, and Pygmy Date) are non-toxic and safe. The dangerous exception is the Sago "Palm," which is not a true palm at all but a cycad, and it is extremely toxic. Coontie, another Florida cycad, is likewise toxic. If it is a true palm you are usually fine; if it is a Sago or Coontie, keep it well away from pets.

It varies by plant. Irritant plants (Dieffenbachia, Pothos, Philodendron) cause near-immediate mouth pain and drooling. Others are dangerously delayed: Sago Palm liver damage and lily kidney failure may not show obvious signs for hours to a day, by which point organ damage is underway. That delay is exactly why you should call poison control on suspicion of ingestion rather than waiting to see if your pet seems sick.

It depends on the succulent. Many are non-toxic, but several popular ones are not: Aloe, Jade (Crassula), Kalanchoe, Snake Plant, and the trailing Senecio types (String of Pearls, String of Bananas) all cause vomiting and other symptoms, and Kalanchoe can affect the heart. Check the specific plant in the list above before assuming a succulent is pet-safe.

Plenty of beautiful options are non-toxic, including Hibiscus, Bottlebrush, Crepe Myrtle, Camellia, Bromeliads, Blue Daze, Coreopsis, Zinnia, sunflowers, and most true palms. Herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme are safe too. Stop in and we will help you build a garden that is gorgeous and safe for your dogs and cats; just ask for pet-friendly recommendations.