Clivia — (c) Jarek Zok, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Photo by (c) Jarek Zok, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY
dog safety reference

Is Clivia safe for dogs?

Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata is a popular flowering houseplant known for its vibrant orange or red clusters of blooms. It contains lycorine and other alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

CliviaClivia miniataKaffir Lily
Light
Low to medium indirect light
Habit
Clumping
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

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

What this means for your dog

Dogs are more likely than cats to dig up a clivia and chew the bulb — and the bulb is where most of the lycorine and other alkaloids concentrate. ASPCA lists Kaffir lily as toxic to dogs; leaf nibbling usually causes GI upset, but a chewed bulb can produce serious systemic signs.

What to watch for

Vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea from any chewing. With bulb ingestions specifically, watch for tremors, weakness, an unsteady gait, low blood pressure (pale gums, lethargy), or irregular heart rhythm — and seizures in severe cases.

Time window

Onset isn't precisely documented. GI signs typically begin within 1–4 hours of ingestion; severe alkaloid effects can develop over several hours after a bulb ingestion.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately if your dog chewed a bulb. For leaf-only ingestions, call if vomiting or diarrhea repeats, if there's persistent drooling, or if your dog is unusually weak or wobbly.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and potential tremors in severe cases.

Escalation note

The alkaloids present in the plant can cause systemic upset. Always consult a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of illness after exposure to this plant.

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 Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Clivia miniata is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of lycorine.

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Clivia

Questions about Clivia

Is clivia toxic to dogs?

Yes, clivia (Clivia miniata) is toxic to dogs. The plant contains lycorine and other alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and tremors in severe cases.

What symptoms will my dog have after eating clivia?

GI signs — vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea — typically appear within 1–4 hours of ingestion. If your dog chewed a bulb, watch for more serious symptoms including tremors, weakness, an unsteady gait, pale gums, and in severe cases irregular heart rhythm or seizures.

What should I do if my dog ate clivia?

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately if your dog chewed a bulb. For leaf-only ingestions, monitor closely and call if vomiting or diarrhea repeats, if there is persistent drooling, or if your dog seems unusually weak or wobbly.

Is the clivia bulb more dangerous than the leaves for dogs?

Yes — the bulb is the most concerning part. Bulb ingestions are associated with the more severe effects: tremors, low blood pressure (visible as pale gums and lethargy), weakness, and potential seizures, on top of the GI upset that leaf chewing can cause. Treat any bulb exposure as an emergency and contact a vet right away.

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