Queensland Arrowroot — (c) Guillermo López Escalera Argueta, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Guillermo López Escalera Argueta
Photo by (c) Guillermo López Escalera Argueta, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Guillermo López Escalera ArguetaiNaturalistCC BY-SA
cat safety reference

Is Queensland Arrowroot safe for cats?

Canna edulis

Queensland Arrowroot is a tropical perennial known for its large, lush foliage and edible rhizomes. It is considered safe for pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

AchiraCannaCanna edulisEdible Canna
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Clumping perennial
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 Queensland arrowroot — ASPCA lists Canna edulis as non-toxic to cats with no toxic principle. The starchy rhizomes are even edible for people, so an accidental nibble carries no poisoning risk.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).

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 excessive ingestion of fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

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

Bring it home

Queensland Arrowrootis 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

Canna edulis is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical classification for Canna edulis.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Questions about Queensland Arrowroot

Is Queensland Arrowroot toxic to cats?

No, Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis) is non-toxic to cats. It is classified as generally safe, meaning it does not contain compounds known to harm cats.

What happens if my cat eats Queensland Arrowroot?

No toxic symptoms are expected. If your cat eats a large amount of the fibrous plant material, it may experience mild vomiting or diarrhea due to the bulk and fiber content, not any toxic principle.

How much Queensland Arrowroot is dangerous for a cat to eat?

Queensland Arrowroot is non-toxic at any typical ingestion amount. However, large quantities of fibrous plant matter can cause digestive upset in cats; if symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea persist after a substantial ingestion, contact your veterinarian.

Does non-toxic mean Queensland Arrowroot is safe for cats to eat freely?

Non-toxic means it won't poison your cat, but that doesn't make it a suitable food. Cats who consume significant amounts of fibrous plant material may develop mild GI upset, so it's best to discourage chewing on it regardless.

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