Blue Bead Lily — (c) Photos by Micky, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Photo by (c) Photos by Micky, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA
cat safety reference

Is Blue Bead Lily safe for cats?

Clintonia borealis

Clintonia borealis is a woodland perennial known for its glossy leaves and striking blue berries. While generally considered safe for pets, it is not intended for consumption.

Blue Bead LilyClintonia borealisCorn LilyYellow Clintonia
Light
Partial shade to full shade
Habit
Clumping perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats

Uncertain

Identity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your cat

Casually safe for cats — ASPCA classifies blue bead lily (also called corn lily) as non-toxic, with no toxic principle reported. Despite the common name, Clintonia borealis is not a true Lilium and does not carry the kidney risk that real lilies do for cats.

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

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

Escalation note

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

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 and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

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

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Clintonia borealis is a native perennial herb found in moist, cool, acidic woods.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

Related plants for cats