Plant guide
Iris
Iris spp.
Iris plants are toxic to cats. Eating them can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and low energy; rhizomes contain the highest concentration of toxins.
What this guide covers: Iris species; the photograph illustrates Siberian iris within the genus. Unrelated plants with iris in their common name are outside scope.
Photo:
Photo details
Iris spp. — Iris sibirica flower
By DAVID ILIFF
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Iris spp. — Iris sibirica flower
By DAVID ILIFF
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Blue Magic Dutch iris bulbs
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Iris spp. and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Iris spp.
- Scope
- Genus-level group
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Iris species; the photograph illustrates Siberian iris within the genus. Unrelated plants with iris in their common name are outside scope.
- Light
- Varies by type
Identify the species first: requirements range from sun to shade.
- Watering
Species differ: some need drained soil and others grow in wet ground.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
No genus-wide preferred temperature range established.
- Humidity
No genus-wide humidity target established.
- Potting
- Match drainage and soil conditions to the exact species.
- Through the year
- Divide crowded rhizomes when appropriate; let foliage finish its cycle before removal.
Growing-guide sources
- Iris spp. ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Iris species; the photograph illustrates Siberian iris within the genus. Unrelated plants with iris in their common name are outside scope.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Severity
- Severity not established
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
- Iris: toxic and non-toxic plants ↗ASPCA · Accessed
Listed by the source as Iris species. The cat-safety source covers Iris species. Growing requirements vary widely, so a single light or watering filter would be misleading.
- Iris spp. ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
- Iris: source assessment ↗ASPCA · Accessed 2026-10-16
Safety last reviewed .