Plant guide
Bear’s breeches
Acanthus mollis
Bear’s breeches are considered non-toxic to cats. Large leaves and tall flower spikes suit a garden border. Manage its spreading roots and give it room.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Acanthus mollis only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Acanthus mollis
By Hectonichus
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Acanthus mollis
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Acanthus mollis only; the light and water categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Use sun to partial shade, with more shade in hot conditions.
- Watering
Avoid wet soil; established plants tolerate drought, but dryness may trigger summer dormancy.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A preferred numerical growing range was not established in the reviewed source.
- Potting
- Choose fertile soil with good drainage.
- Through the year
- Use root barriers where needed and mulch roots for winter protection.
Growing-guide sources
- Acanthus mollis - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named species; garden conditions are not relabeled as indoor requirements.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Bear’s breeches: plant safety reference ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed
VPIS explicitly names Acanthus mollis in its pet-safe list. This guide applies that pet-household guidance to cats; it does not extend to every Acanthus.
- Bear’s breeches: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .