Cape Marigold — (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
cat safety reference

Is Cape Marigold safe for cats?

Dimorphotheca pluvialis

Cape Marigold is a cheerful, daisy-like annual known for its vibrant blooms that open in sunlight. It is considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

African DaisyCape MarigoldDimorphotheca pluvialisRain Daisy
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright annual
Care
Low

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

ASPCA classifies Cape Marigold (Dimorphotheca pluvialis) as non-toxic to cats — note this is the South African daisy genus, not Tagetes (French/African marigold), which is a separate plant to watch for.

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

None typically expected. In cases of large ingestion, mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea may occur due to the fibrous nature of the plant.

Escalation note

This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Bring it home

Cape Marigoldis 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 and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Cape Marigold (Dimorphotheca pluvialis) is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Plants of the World Online - Dimorphotheca pluvialis

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name and distribution data for Dimorphotheca pluvialis.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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