Cats & Dogs
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Hawaiian Ti
Cordyline fruticosa
The Hawaiian Ti is a popular tropical ornamental known for its vibrant, lance-shaped foliage. It contains saponins which can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.
Cordyline fruticosaCordyline terminalisGood Luck PlantHawaiian Ti PlantTi Plant
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Upright shrub
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
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.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, drooling, and loss of appetite.
Escalation note
Ingestion typically causes mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, and lethargy.
Escalation note
While generally not life-threatening, ingestion can cause significant stomach upset. Consult a veterinarian for guidance if ingestion is suspected.
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
The Ti plant contains saponins which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling in cats and dogs.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Cordyline fruticosa is a tropical evergreen shrub often grown as a houseplant, noted for its toxicity to pets.
Questions about Hawaiian Ti
Is Hawaiian Ti toxic to cats?
Yes, Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline fruticosa) is toxic to cats. It contains saponins that cause gastrointestinal irritation, and ingestion is classified as potentially toxic with high confidence based on ASPCA data.
What symptoms will my cat show after eating Hawaiian Ti?
Expect vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, and lethargy. A distinctive feline sign is dilated pupils. GI symptoms typically appear within hours of chewing and resolve in roughly 24 hours with supportive care.
What should I do if my cat ate a Hawaiian Ti plant?
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, especially if vomiting is bloody or persistent, your cat refuses food, or you notice marked lethargy. Most cats improve within an hour of treatment and recover fully within 24 hours.
How much Hawaiian Ti is dangerous to a cat?
The ASPCA does not publish a toxic dose for Hawaiian Ti, so no safe quantity is known. Even small amounts of chewing can trigger vomiting, hypersalivation, and anorexia, so any ingestion should be treated as a reason to monitor closely and contact a vet.
Is Hawaiian Ti toxic to dogs?
Yes, Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline fruticosa) is considered potentially toxic to dogs. It contains saponins that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested, though ingestion is generally not life-threatening.
What symptoms will my dog show after eating Hawaiian Ti?
Expect vomiting (occasionally with blood), excessive salivation, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Weakness can also follow, and severity tends to scale with how much foliage was eaten.
What should I do if my dog ate a Hawaiian Ti plant?
Monitor your dog closely for GI symptoms. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting is persistent or bloody, your dog seems weak, or a large amount of plant material was eaten. Mild, single-episode vomiting in an otherwise alert dog typically resolves on its own.
How quickly do symptoms appear after a dog eats Hawaiian Ti?
A precise onset window is not published by the ASPCA, but GI signs typically appear within a few hours of ingestion and generally resolve within about 24 hours with supportive care.
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