Cats
UncertainIdentity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
cat safety reference
Is St. Bernard's Lily safe for cats?
Anthericum liliago
St. Bernard's Lily is a hardy, grass-like perennial known for its elegant, star-shaped white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. It is considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Anthericum liliagoSaint Bernards Lily
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Clumping perennial
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats: ASPCA lists Saint Bernard's Lily as non-toxic to cats. The "lily" in the common name is misleading — Anthericum liliago belongs to the asparagus family, not the true lilies, and ASPCA records no toxic principle for cats.
What to watch for
ASPCA reports no toxic principle, so no symptoms are expected from this plant. A curious chew may produce a one-off bout of vomiting or soft stool from fibrous material, but nothing systemic.
Time window
Onset and duration are not documented because the plant is non-toxic. Incidental GI upset would typically resolve within 12–24 hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond a single episode, or if you can't be certain the plant your cat got into wasn't a true Lilium. The lookalike concern is the only real reason to call.
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.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Escalation note
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List
toxicology · 99% reliability
St. Bernard's Lily is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Plants of the World Online - Anthericum liliago
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted botanical classification and distribution data for Anthericum liliago.
Questions about St. Bernard's Lily
Is St. Bernard's Lily toxic to cats?
St. Bernard's Lily (Anthericum liliago) is not considered toxic to cats — the ASPCA reports no known toxic principle in this plant. However, the classification is currently under curator review, and any cat that chews on it may experience a one-off bout of vomiting or soft stool from the fibrous plant material.
What symptoms would a cat show after eating St. Bernard's Lily?
No systemic symptoms are expected because no toxic principle has been identified in this plant. At most, ingesting fibrous plant material may cause a single episode of vomiting or loose stool, which would typically resolve within 12–24 hours on its own.
What should I do if my cat ate St. Bernard's Lily?
Monitor your cat for vomiting or diarrhea; if either persists beyond a single episode, call your vet. The more important step is confirming the plant is actually St. Bernard's Lily (Anthericum liliago) and not a true Lilium lily — true lilies are severely toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. If you have any doubt about the plant's identity, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Why does St. Bernard's Lily get confused with toxic lilies, and does it matter for cats?
St. Bernard's Lily is a grass-like perennial with star-shaped white flowers that can resemble true Lilium species, which are among the most dangerous plants for cats and can cause acute kidney failure even in small amounts. If you cannot confirm the exact plant species — from a label, purchase receipt, or a botanist — treat the situation as a potential true lily exposure and contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 without waiting for symptoms.
Same cat verdict
Related plants for cats
Blue Bead Lily
Clintonia borealis
Clintonia borealis is a woodland perennial known for its glossy leaves and striking blue berries. While generally considered safe for pets, it is not intended for consumption.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Speckled Wood Lily
Clintonia umbellulata
Speckled Wood Lily is a woodland perennial known for its clusters of white, speckled flowers and broad, basal leaves. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Blue-dicks
Dichelostemma pulchellum
Dichelostemma pulchellum is a cormous perennial wildflower native to western North America, known for its clusters of violet-blue, tubular flowers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Creeping Rubus
Rubus pedatus
Creeping Rubus is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial groundcover known for its delicate foliage and trailing habit. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.