Umbrella Plant
Also known as Umbrella Tree, Schefflera, Dwarf Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, Starleaf, Australian Ivy Palm. One plant, one grade per pet — the verdicts below are transcribed from primary sources and human-reviewed.
Umbrella plant (Schefflera, the umbrella tree) is an irritant to cats (S2 Irritant): its calcium oxalate crystals cause intense burning of the mouth, drooling, gagging, and vomiting when chewed — the same mechanism as pothos and peace lily, with throat swelling possible in rare cases.
FULL VERDICT →Umbrella plant (Schefflera, the umbrella tree) is an irritant to dogs (S2 Irritant): its calcium oxalate crystals cause intense burning of the mouth, drooling, gagging, and vomiting when chewed — the same mechanism as pothos and peace lily, with throat swelling possible in rare cases.
FULL VERDICT →Care at a glance
What happens if it's eaten
Signs on record for each animal, transcribed from the cited sources.
- oral irritation; intense burning of mouth, lips and tongue
- excessive drooling
- gagging
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
- mild diarrhea
- severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty (rare)
- oral irritation; intense burning of mouth, lips and tongue
- excessive drooling
- gagging
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
- mild diarrhea
- severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty (rare)
When to call the vet
Call your vet if drooling or vomiting persists or worsens, or your cat stops eating — and go immediately if you see any swelling of the mouth or throat or trouble breathing.
FULL VERDICT →Call your vet if drooling or vomiting persists or worsens, or your dog stops eating — and go immediately if you see any swelling of the mouth or throat or trouble breathing.
FULL VERDICT →Safe swaps, graded S0
Non-toxic on record for cats — verified against the index at build time.
FAQ
Is every plant sold as an "umbrella plant" the same thing?
No, and the name is a trap — this page is the Schefflera (now Heptapleurum), the glossy umbrella tree and its dwarf form, which is what the search almost always means. The ASPCA grades it under two entries, "Schefflera" and "Umbrella Tree," both "Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats," with calcium oxalate crystals that cause "intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting." Three other plants share the word and are not this record: the ASPCA's own entry titled "Umbrella Plant" is Eriogonum umbellatum, a wildflower listed as non-toxic; the umbrella papyrus (Cyperus alternifolius) has no ASPCA or Pet Poison Helpline entry, so we publish no grade for it; and the Texas umbrella tree is Melia azedarach, a different plant with a far more serious record. Check the botanical name on the label. If a cat has chewed a Schefflera, remove the plant and watch for drooling or vomiting; call your vet if signs persist, or immediately if you see any swelling or trouble breathing.