Plant safety for cats
Is schefflera (शेफलेरा) toxic to cats?
ModerateListed toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — schefflera (umbrella plant) is toxic to cats: oxalate crystals cause a burning mouth, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
Why moderate: Oxalate crystals: burning mouth, drooling, vomiting.
- Name
- Scheffleraalso Umbrella plant, Dwarf umbrella tree, Octopus tree
- Hindi
- शेफलेरा
- Botanical name
- Schefflera arboricola and S. actinophylla · Araliaceae
Toxic parts
Leaves and stems — the crystals are released wherever the plant is chewed.
What's in it
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — tiny needles that are released when the leaf is chewed and stab the lips, mouth and throat
How to recognise it
- Hand-like leaves of 5–9 glossy leaflets radiating from one point
- Often variegated gold
Look-alikes and name traps
The money tree (Pachira) has similar hand-like leaves but a braided trunk — and it is non-toxic.
Symptoms to watch for
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Gagging or vomiting
- Painful mouth, not wanting to eat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Rarely: swelling of the throat that makes breathing hard (emergency)
At once — the crystals hurt as soon as the plant is chewed.
What to do
Call your vet. It hurts at once, but most cats recover with supportive care.
- Take the plant away, note how much is missing and take a photo of it.
- Call your vet if your cat drools, paws at the mouth, gags or vomits.
- Go now if breathing is noisy or laboured, the face or throat swells, or your cat can't swallow (Pet Poison Helpline's rule).
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
Where Indian cats meet it
A hardy indoor and terrace plant in offices and homes.
Cat-safe swap: Money tree (Pachira) — listed non-toxic.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Schefflera
- Pet Poison Helpline: Schefflera
- NC State Plant Toolbox: Schefflera actinophylla (human toxicity data)
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.
