Gladiola — (c) Rebecca Ryen-Stols, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Rebecca Ryen-Stols
Photo by (c) Rebecca Ryen-Stols, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Rebecca Ryen-StolsiNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Gladiola

Gladiolus species

Gladiolus is a popular flowering bulb known for its tall, sword-shaped leaves and vibrant, funnel-shaped blooms. While prized for its beauty in gardens and bouquets, all parts of the plant, particularly the corm, contain compounds that are harmful if ingested by pets.

GladiolaGladiolusGladiolus speciesSword Lily
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright, herbaceous perennial
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & 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.

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

Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Escalation note

Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and general malaise.

Escalation note

The corm (bulb) is the most toxic part of the plant. If your dog ingests any portion of a Gladiolus, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.

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

Gladiola is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs, causing gastrointestinal irritation.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Gladiolus species are perennial cormous plants in the Iridaceae family, noted for their showy, spike-like inflorescences.

cats safety pageMy cat ate Gladioladogs safety pageMy dog ate Gladiola

Same safety verdict

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