Is Basil-Leaved Sun Rose toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists basil-leaved sun rose as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Halimium ocymoides is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database and no confirmed safety assessment exists for cats or dogs. It is conservatively classified as mildly-toxic; do not allow pets to chew or ingest plant material, and consult a vet if ingestion occurs.

Halimium ocymoides is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database and no confirmed safety assessment exists for cats or dogs. It is conservatively classified as mildly-toxic; do not allow pets to chew or ingest plant material, and consult a vet if ingestion occurs. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to basil-leaved sun rose.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Basil-Leaved Sun Rose is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full basil-leaved sun rose pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.