Is Peace Lily Toxic to Cats?

Spathiphyllum

Peace lilies belong to the aroid family and contain calcium oxalate crystals, not the kidney-destroying toxin of true lilies. Chewing causes drooling, mouth pain and swelling, which is distressing but rarely life-threatening.

The confusion matters in both directions: people panic about a peace lily as if it were a funeral lily, and people dismiss a true lily because 'lilies are fine, we had one for years'.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• stems
• flowers
• sap

What to watch for in the UK

• Sold as a low-light houseplant, often given as a gift.
• It wilts dramatically, which encourages owners to handle it — and pets to investigate.
• The white spathe is not a flower and is equally irritant.
• If you want a lily-shaped plant with no risk, see the safe list.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Rinse the mouth if possible and offer water.
2. Phone your vet if breathing becomes noisy or the mouth swells.
3. This is not the kidney-failure emergency that a true lily is — do not confuse the two.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).