Bottlebrush — (c) Douglas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Douglas
Photo by (c) Douglas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by DouglasiNaturalistCC BY
Pet safety reference

Bottlebrush

Callistemon citrinus

Bottlebrush is a popular evergreen shrub known for its unique, spike-like flowers that resemble a cleaning brush. It is generally considered safe for pets, though its fibrous nature may cause mild digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

Callistemon citrinusCrimson BottlebrushLemon Bottlebrush
Light
Full sun
Habit
Shrub
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

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.

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; however, ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian as a precaution.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected; however, ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

This plant is non-toxic. If your dog consumes a significant amount and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian as a precaution.

Bring it home

Bottlebrushis 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

Bottlebrush is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical nomenclature for Callistemon citrinus.

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