Coral Bells — Hedwig Storch.
Photo by Hedwig Storch.Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0
Pet safety reference

Coral Bells

Heuchera sanguinea

Heuchera sanguinea is a popular perennial garden plant known for its attractive, mounded foliage and delicate, bell-shaped flowers. It is considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause minor digestive discomfort.

AlumrootCoral BellsHeuchera sanguinea
Light
Partial shade to full sun
Habit
Clump-forming perennial
Care
Low

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 typically expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

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

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None typically expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

This plant is considered non-toxic. If your dog consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Coral Bellsis 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

Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea) is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Heuchera sanguinea is a clump-forming perennial native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, valued for its ornamental foliage.

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Questions about Coral Bells

Are coral bells toxic to cats?

Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea) are considered non-toxic to cats. The plant is classified as generally safe, meaning it does not contain compounds known to poison cats.

What happens if my cat eats coral bells?

Most cats will have no reaction at all. If your cat consumes a large amount of the fibrous foliage, it may experience mild vomiting or diarrhea from the plant material itself, not from any toxic compound.

How much coral bells would make a cat sick?

Small nibbles are unlikely to cause any issue. Digestive upset is only expected with large ingestions of fibrous plant material, and even then symptoms would be mild and temporary rather than a sign of poisoning.

Should I call my vet if my cat ate coral bells?

You don't need to make an emergency call, but if your cat ate a significant amount and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of distress that don't resolve quickly, contact your veterinarian.

Are coral bells toxic to dogs?

Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea) are considered non-toxic to dogs. The plant is classified as generally safe for households with dogs, with a high confidence rating based on an ASPCA provenance audit.

What happens if a dog eats coral bells?

Most dogs will have no reaction at all. If a dog consumes a large amount of the fibrous plant material, it may experience mild vomiting or diarrhea; these symptoms are due to digestive irritation from the plant's bulk, not a toxic compound.

Should I be worried if my dog chewed on a coral bells plant?

A small nibble is unlikely to cause any problem. If your dog ate a significant quantity and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of distress, contact your veterinarian — not because the plant is poisonous, but because large amounts of fibrous material can cause lasting GI upset.

Do all parts of coral bells affect dogs the same way?

The available data does not single out any specific part (leaf, stem, flower) as more problematic than another; any mild GI upset is linked to the fibrous plant material generally rather than a concentrated toxic principle in one part.

Same safety verdict

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