Is ti plant toxic to dogs?
Cordyline fruticosa
Yes. Ti plant is toxic to dogs, graded low severity by NC State Extension. The agent is saponins. Call your vet if a dog has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is saponins.
Saponins are soap-like compounds that irritate the lining of the stomach and gut on contact.
Vomiting and loose stool within hours, typically resolving once the plant material passes.
Worth watching for. Dehydration in a small animal, or vomiting that does not stop.
Reported signs
- vomiting
- drooling
- loss of appetite
- dilated pupils in cats
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Cordyline terminalis. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA — entry for a different species in this genus: Cordyline terminalis
- Toxic to cats and dogs · saponins
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Low · Saponins · Vomiting (occasionally with blood), diarrhea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats); Skin irritation or rash can occur with contact of the plant's sap.
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady palmRhapis excelsa | Arecaceae | 8–14d | 1/5 |
| Watermelon peperomiaPeperomia argyreia | Piperaceae | 7–14d | 2/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for cats? See is ti plant toxic to cats. Full care details are on the ti plant species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Cordyline terminalis Checked 2026-09-12.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Cordyline fruticosa Checked 2026-09-12.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Cordyline fruticosa Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-12.
- Wikidata entity Q2717614 — entity identity, so this record can be matched against other databases.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Cordyline fruticosa Cultivation record. Checked 2026-09-12.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.