Sweet Alyssum — (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson
Photo by (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve MatsoniNaturalistCC BY
cat safety reference

Is Sweet Alyssum safe for cats?

Alyssum spp.

Alyssum is a popular, fragrant flowering plant often used in garden beds and containers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause mild digestive upset.

Alyssum spp.Lobularia maritimaSweet Alyssum
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Low-growing, spreading
Care
Low

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

Sweet Alyssum is non-toxic to cats per ASPCA — there is no listed toxic principle, so a curious sniff or chew does not pose a poisoning risk.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance; non-toxic listing).

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, though large ingestions may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to fiber content.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your cat consumes a large quantity and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Sweet Alyssumis 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 Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Alyssum is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Lobularia maritima is a low-growing, fragrant annual often used as a groundcover or in hanging baskets.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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