Cats & Dogs
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Elephant-Ear Begonia
Begonia scharfii
Begonia scharfii is a popular ornamental plant known for its large, fuzzy, elephant-ear-shaped leaves and delicate clusters of flowers. It contains soluble calcium oxalates which can cause irritation if ingested by pets.
Begonia scharffiiBegonia scharfiiElephant-Ear Begonia
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Upright, bushy
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
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
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.
Escalation note
The plant contains soluble calcium oxalates that cause immediate irritation to the mouth and throat. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Escalation note
Ingestion of the plant tissues can lead to significant oral discomfort due to calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of this plant.
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 Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Begonia species contain soluble calcium oxalates that are toxic to dogs and cats.
Kew Plants of the World Online
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted scientific name and botanical classification for Begonia scharfii.
Questions about Elephant-Ear Begonia
Is Elephant-Ear Begonia toxic to cats?
Yes, Elephant-Ear Begonia (Begonia scharfii) is toxic to cats. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that cause immediate irritation to the mouth and throat if ingested.
What symptoms will my cat show after eating Elephant-Ear Begonia?
Expect oral irritation, drooling, lip-licking, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Symptoms typically appear within a few hours of ingestion; most cats recover within 24 hours, though exact onset and duration are not well documented in the ASPCA listing.
What should I do if my cat ate an Elephant-Ear Begonia?
Remove your cat from the plant and rinse their mouth with water if possible. Contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting is repeated, lasts more than a few hours, or your cat seems lethargic. Any suspicion that your cat chewed the root or tuber warrants a same-day call.
Is the root of Elephant-Ear Begonia more dangerous to cats than the leaves?
Yes — while chewing the leaves typically causes mild symptoms, ingestion of the root or tuber may produce more pronounced irritation. If you suspect your cat dug up and chewed the tuber rather than just nibbling leaves, contact your vet promptly.
Is Elephant-Ear Begonia toxic to dogs?
Yes, Elephant-Ear Begonia (Begonia scharfii) is toxic to dogs. It contains soluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, along with excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
What symptoms will my dog show after eating Elephant-Ear Begonia?
Expect drooling, repeated vomiting, lip-licking, and reduced appetite. Symptoms typically appear within a few hours of ingestion, and severity tends to scale with how much root or tuber material was chewed and swallowed. Most dogs return to normal within 24 hours.
What should I do if my dog ate an Elephant-Ear Begonia?
Remove any remaining plant material from your dog's mouth and offer fresh water. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting won't stop, your dog refuses water, or you suspect any of the tuber was eaten.
Which part of Elephant-Ear Begonia is most dangerous to dogs?
The root and tuber portions carry the highest concentration of calcium oxalate crystals, making them the most concerning part if ingested. Chewing leaves or stems can still cause significant oral irritation, but symptoms tend to be worse when root or tuber material is involved.
Often compared with
Commonly confused with
Same Begonia genus.
Metallic Leaf Begonia
Begonia metallica
Begonia metallica is a popular ornamental houseplant known for its textured, metallic-sheen foliage. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same Begonia genus.
Wax Begonia
Begonia semperflorens
The Pink Pearl is a popular cultivar of wax begonia known for its waxy, succulent-like leaves and delicate pink flowers. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same Begonia genus.
Iron Cross Begonia
Begonia masoniana
Begonia masoniana is a popular ornamental houseplant known for its textured, puckered leaves featuring a distinct dark brown cross pattern. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same genus
More from the Begonia genus
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
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Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
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Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Philodendron
Philodendron spp.
Philodendrons are popular tropical foliage plants known for their lush, heart-shaped or split leaves. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, variegated leaves. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested or chewed.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.