Canna Lily — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
cat safety reference

Is Canna Lily safe for cats?

Canna generalis

Also known as Canna indica

Canna Lily is a popular tropical perennial known for its vibrant, large flowers and bold foliage. It is considered safe for pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

CannaCanna generalisCanna indicaIndian Shot
Light
Full Sun
Habit
Upright
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

Despite the common name, Canna Lily is not a true lily — it's in the Cannaceae family, not Liliaceae — which matters for cats because true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats. ASPCA lists Canna generalis itself as non-toxic to cats, but always confirm the genus before assuming any "lily" is safe.

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.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

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

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic, but if your cat consumes a significant amount and shows persistent gastrointestinal distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Canna Lilyis 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 Lily is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Canna generalis is a rhizomatous perennial that is widely grown for its ornamental foliage and flowers.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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