Persian Violet — (c) Morten Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Morten Ross
Photo by (c) Morten Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Morten RossiNaturalistCC BY
Pet safety reference

Persian Violet

Exacum affine

Exacum affine is a charming, fragrant flowering plant often grown as a seasonal houseplant. It is considered non-toxic to both cats and dogs, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Arabian GentianExacum affinePersian Violet
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Mounded
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

None expected; however, consuming large quantities of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected; however, consuming large quantities of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your dog consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Persian Violetis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

Shop on Amazon

Some links earn us a small commission. They never affect our safety classifications.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Persian Violet (Exacum affine) is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Exacum affine is a biennial or annual herb that is widely cultivated for its fragrant, star-shaped flowers.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room