Is zebra plant toxic to cats?
Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is non-toxic to cats (S0 Safe): the ASPCA lists it as safe for cats, dogs, and horses — and the succulent and calathea plants that share the 'zebra' name are non-toxic too.
- TOXINnone — no toxic principles on record
- WHAT TO EXPECTno symptoms on record
- CALL THE VETSee a vet only if unusual or persistent symptoms follow ingestion.
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FAQ
Which "zebra plant" do I have — and does it change the verdict?
Three different plants share this name, and for once the answer is the same for all of them. The flowering one with white-veined leaves and a yellow bract is Aphelandra squarrosa — this page — listed by the ASPCA as "Non-Toxic to Cats." The striped rosette succulent is a zebra haworthia; the ASPCA lists its Little Zebra Plant entry (Haworthia subfasciata) as non-toxic too — see our haworthia page. And the ASPCA's Caeroba entry, which carries "Zebra Plant" as an alternate name (Calathea insignis), is also non-toxic. Whichever zebra you own, no toxin is on record.
Several plant blogs say zebra plants are toxic to cats — are they?
Not according to the primary source those blogs claim to cite. The ASPCA's own entry for Aphelandra squarrosa (filed under Saffron Spike Zebra) reads "Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses," with toxic principles listed as "Non-toxic." We grade only from the record: S0 Safe. As with any plant, a cat that eats a large amount of foliage can get an upset stomach — that's a quantity effect, not a toxin. If persistent vomiting follows a plant snack of any kind, call your vet.