Plant safety for cats
Is pot marigold (गुले अशर्फ़ी) safe for cats?
SafeListed non-toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — pot marigold (Calendula) is safe for cats: it's the 'marigold' ASPCA lists as non-toxic. Indian genda is a different plant (Tagetes) that can mildly upset the stomach.
Why safe: Listed non-toxic to cats by ASPCA.
- Name
- Pot marigoldalso Calendula, Gul-e-asharfi
- Hindi
- गुले अशर्फ़ी · gul-e-asharfi
- Botanical name
- Calendula officinalis · Asteraceae
How to recognise it
- Simple, spoon-shaped, slightly sticky leaves
- Flat, daisy-like orange or yellow flowers
- A mild smell
Look-alikes and name traps
Genda (Tagetes marigold) has feathery leaves, pompom flowers and a strong smell — mildly toxic.
What to do
Listed non-toxic — no poisoning is expected.
- Any plant eaten in quantity can still cause a little vomiting or diarrhoea; call your vet if it keeps going.
- Pesticide or fertiliser on nursery plants is a separate risk: rinse new plants and keep fertiliser sticks out of the pot.
Where Indian cats meet it
Winter flower beds.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Garden marigold (Calendula)
- Pet Poison Helpline: Marigold
- Wikidata: Calendula officinalis (Indian-language names)
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.
