Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
“D” is for Daylilies – and Danger to Cats
When I first heard that daylilies only blossom for one day, I thought, why bother?
But then I saw them in mass, each bud seeming to wait their turn for glory.
Beautiful together, and close up too, though I may have gotten carried away.
It’s a beautiful flower but I don’t have any in my garden; and thankfully, there are none nearby. Why?
They’re extremely toxic to cats.
Even though not true lilies (they belong to the genus Hemerocallis, a perennial that grows in clumps from tuberous roots) they’re just as dangerous to cats as true lilies are.
According to PetMD : “Two species of toxic lilies are especially dangerous: true lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species), which can both cause kidney failure in cats.
While the exact toxin has not been identified, exposure to any part of the plant can cause sudden kidney failure, neurological signs, and other serious problems in cats.
Ingesting just small pieces of the petals, leaves, or even the pollen or water in the vase can result in severe, potentially irreversible and fatal kidney failure.”
Wow. I didn’t know how toxic, until I did the research for this post.
So now you know; if you have cats, please don’t have daylilies in your garden.
Enjoy them, when you’re about and about, like I do.
Sharing my ‘D’ flower with The Flower Hour.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Hoping that cats are instinctively tuned into flowers and plants to avoid 🐾🙏🏼 Day lilies are truly beautiful and come in an array of colours but definitely not appealing to grow if you have pets.
I love lilies and daylilies. But when I learned how dangerous they are to cats, I wouldn’t have them in my garden. Too risky.
These are gorgeous daylilies, nonetheless, Susanne, and they are known to take over a garden. Smart to keep them away from the kitties! Especially if the pollen gets into the water! 😢
They’re beautiful, indeed! They look great in the landscaping of local parks. I just didn’t realize that every part of the plant is toxic to cats, so I’m glad I don’t have any in my garden.
Wow! 😮 That’s good information to know! I knew that true lilies were poisonous to cats but I didn’t know about those. Fortunately there aren’t any around here either!
I was surprised too, to learn that daylilies are as toxic to cats as true lilies! I’m glad I never had any!
And they are candy to deer… go figure!
Strange, indeed!
I had them in my garden in Alberta but my cats knew better than to go near them. They can take over though if you don’t watch out.
Glad you’re cats knew to stay away from them. I used to have the stargazer lily in my garden, but never had any daylilies as I didnt have the space they seem to like.
Thanks for sharing; I had no idea. We need to keep our sweet cats safe and healthy.
Thank you. I didn’t realize how toxic all parts of the plants are to cats. I would never have them in my garden now that I know, as Benji loves hanging out in the garden and I could never take that risk.
.
Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you!
I didn’t know that about the cats. They’re pretty flowers and grow wild around here.
I had no idea how dangerous they were to cats! They look lovely in your photos though.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete.They’re a beautiful mass in bloom. But so very toxic to cats, I would never have them in my garden.
They’re very striking flowers and make for interesting photos 🙂 I read recently about their toxicity but I also read that most insects and animals know instinctively not to go near them – however, best to be on the safe side and enjoy them outside your garden!
I love seeing them in the landscape of local parks. But I hadnt realized just how toxic they are to cats, until I did some research. Even just getting pollen on their fur, and licking it off could be fatal. It doesn’t seem to bother other animals as much.