Natal Plum — (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo
Photo by (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony RebeloiNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Natal Plum

Carissa macrocarpa

The Natal Plum is a popular evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green foliage and fragrant white flowers. While generally considered safe for pets, it is a woody plant and ingestion of large amounts of fibrous material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Carissa grandifloraCarissa macrocarpaLarge Num-NumNatal Plum
Light
Bright direct light
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

No specific toxicity symptoms are expected, though chewing or swallowing plant material may still cause mild stomach upset.

Escalation note

This plant is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic for this pet. Monitor for digestive upset after large ingestion and contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

No specific toxicity symptoms are expected, though chewing or swallowing plant material may still cause mild stomach upset.

Escalation note

This plant is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic for this pet. Monitor for digestive upset after large ingestion and contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Natal Plum is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Plants of the World Online (Kew)

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Questions about Natal Plum

Is Natal Plum toxic to cats?

Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA, so it is not expected to cause poisoning. That said, non-toxic does not mean harmless — chewing or swallowing plant material can still cause mild stomach upset, especially in large amounts.

What happens if my cat eats Natal Plum leaves?

No specific toxicity symptoms are expected, but ingesting fibrous plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort such as vomiting or loose stools. Symptoms should be minor and short-lived; contact your vet if they persist.

How much Natal Plum is dangerous for a cat to eat?

Because the plant is classified as non-toxic, there is no known toxic dose. The main risk is GI upset from eating a large quantity of fibrous leaves or stems — monitor your cat and call your vet if vomiting or lethargy continues beyond a few hours.

What should I do if my cat chewed on a Natal Plum plant?

Remove your cat's access to the plant, then watch for signs of digestive upset like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. No emergency treatment is typically needed for a non-toxic plant, but if symptoms are severe or prolonged, contact your veterinarian.

Is Natal Plum toxic to dogs?

Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is listed as non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. It is not expected to cause poisoning, though as with any plant material, ingesting large amounts may lead to mild stomach upset.

What happens if my dog eats Natal Plum leaves or berries?

No specific toxicity symptoms are expected from Natal Plum ingestion. Chewing or swallowing plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort such as vomiting or loose stools, particularly after large amounts, but serious illness is not anticipated.

What should I do if my dog ate a Natal Plum plant?

Because Natal Plum is non-toxic to dogs, a small nibble is unlikely to require treatment. Monitor your dog for signs of digestive upset such as vomiting or lethargy, and contact your veterinarian if symptoms develop or persist after a large ingestion.

How much Natal Plum would make a dog sick?

No toxic dose has been established because Natal Plum is classified as non-toxic for dogs. That said, non-toxic does not mean harmless in unlimited quantities — eating a large amount of any fibrous plant material can cause temporary GI upset, so it is best to discourage chewing on the shrub.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict