Pet safety
Is Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie'toxic to cats & dogs?
Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie'
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie'
Is ipomoea batatas 'blackie' safe for cats and dogs?
No — ipomoea batatas 'blackie' is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it well away from any pet that chews plants; reactions can be significant. 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. ASPCA lists Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; ornamental sweet potato vine is Ipomoea batatas and falls under that genus listing. Although the edible crop sweet potato is not individually called out by the ASPCA, the ornamental foliage cultivars are not the food form, so treat 'Blackie' as toxic — the genus carries indole alkaloids and ingestion can cause vomiting and GI upset. Keep pets from chewing the foliage and tubers, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests any.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats ipomoea batatas 'blackie'?
ASPCA lists Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; ornamental sweet potato vine is Ipomoea batatas and falls under that genus listing. Although the edible crop sweet potato is not individually called out by the ASPCA, the ornamental foliage cultivars are not the food form, so treat 'Blackie' as toxic — the genus carries indole alkaloids and ingestion can cause vomiting and GI upset. Keep pets from chewing the foliage and tubers, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests any. 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie', treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate ipomoea batatas 'blackie'
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move ipomoea batatas 'blackie' 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie' 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie'
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:
- Hoya — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bromeliad — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Christmas cactus — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- African violet — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie' and pets — frequently asked questions
Is ipomoea batatas 'blackie' toxic to cats?
Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie' (Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie') is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA lists Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; ornamental sweet potato vine is Ipomoea batatas and falls under that genus listing. Although the edible crop sweet potato is not individually called out by the ASPCA, the ornamental foliage cultivars are not the food form, so treat 'Blackie' as toxic — the genus carries indole alkaloids and ingestion can cause vomiting and GI upset. Keep pets from chewing the foliage and tubers, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests any. 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie' toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie' (Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie') is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like ipomoea batatas 'blackie' is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats ipomoea batatas 'blackie'?
ASPCA lists Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; ornamental sweet potato vine is Ipomoea batatas and falls under that genus listing. Although the edible crop sweet potato is not individually called out by the ASPCA, the ornamental foliage cultivars are not the food form, so treat 'Blackie' as toxic — the genus carries indole alkaloids and ingestion can cause vomiting and GI upset. Keep pets from chewing the foliage and tubers, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests any. 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie', treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate ipomoea batatas 'blackie'?
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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie' to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to ipomoea batatas 'blackie'?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include hoya, bromeliad, christmas cactus, african violet. 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 ipomoea batatas 'blackie' care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete ipomoea batatas 'blackie' care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.