Lipstick Plant — no rights reserved, uploaded by Jon Lee
Photo by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jon LeeiNaturalistCC0
cat safety reference

Is Lipstick Plant safe for cats?

Aeschynanthus humilis

The Lipstick Plant is a popular trailing houseplant known for its tubular, bright red flowers that resemble lipstick tubes. It is considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with cats and dogs.

Aeschynanthus humilisLipstick Plant
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Trailing
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your cat

Cats are safe around the Lipstick Plant — ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats, with no toxic principle identified.

Sources: ASPCA.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected. In rare cases of large ingestions, mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea may occur due to the fibrous nature of the plant material.

Escalation note

This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large amount and shows persistent signs of discomfort, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Lipstick Plantis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus humilis) is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Plants of the World Online - Aeschynanthus humilis

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name and botanical classification for Aeschynanthus humilis.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Questions about Lipstick Plant

Is the lipstick plant toxic to cats?

No, the lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus humilis) is non-toxic to cats. It is considered generally safe for households with cats, meaning exposure is not expected to cause poisoning.

What happens if my cat eats a lipstick plant?

Toxicity is not a concern, but in rare cases where a cat eats a large amount, the fibrous plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. These signs are expected to be self-limiting.

Should I call the vet if my cat chewed on my lipstick plant?

A small nibble on a lipstick plant does not require an emergency vet call since the plant is non-toxic. However, if your cat consumed a large amount and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of discomfort, contact your veterinarian.

Does 'non-toxic' mean the lipstick plant is safe for my cat to eat freely?

Non-toxic means the lipstick plant does not contain compounds that poison cats, but that does not make it safe to eat in quantity. Large ingestions of any fibrous plant material can still cause GI upset, so it is best to discourage your cat from chewing on it.

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