Pet safety
Is Hausa Potatotoxic to cats & dogs?
Solenostemon rotundifolius
Mildly toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Solenostemon rotundifolius
Is hausa potato safe for cats and dogs?
Not entirely — hausa potato is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so keep it out of a pet's reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. Solenostemon rotundifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The closely related ornamental Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides / Plectranthus scutellarioides) is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. The tubers are a human food crop, but the pet-safety status of this specific species has not been individually verified; caution is advised.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats hausa potato?
Solenostemon rotundifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The closely related ornamental Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides / Plectranthus scutellarioides) is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. The tubers are a human food crop, but the pet-safety status of this specific species has not been individually verified; caution is advised. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to hausa potato, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate hausa potato
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move hausa potato out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of hausa potato to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to hausa potato
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Cucumber — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Lettuce — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bean — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Pea — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Hausa Potato and pets — frequently asked questions
Is hausa potato toxic to cats?
Hausa Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Solenostemon rotundifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The closely related ornamental Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides / Plectranthus scutellarioides) is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. The tubers are a human food crop, but the pet-safety status of this specific species has not been individually verified; caution is advised. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is hausa potato toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Hausa Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like hausa potato is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats hausa potato?
Solenostemon rotundifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The closely related ornamental Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides / Plectranthus scutellarioides) is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. The tubers are a human food crop, but the pet-safety status of this specific species has not been individually verified; caution is advised. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to hausa potato, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate hausa potato?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of hausa potato to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to hausa potato?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include cucumber, lettuce, bean, pea. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full hausa potato care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete hausa potato care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.