Spider Flower Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 3,526 found this helpful

Cleome hasserlana

Spider Flower is confirmed non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per official ASPCA toxicology data

No toxic chemical principles have been identified in this plant species to date

There are no documented clinical cases of adverse poisoning effects from ingestion of this plant

FAQ

Is Spider Flower toxic to Humans?

No known toxic effects; very rare mild, temporary gastrointestinal upset may occur with excessive ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Spider Flower toxic to Cats?

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental small ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Spider Flower toxic to Dogs?

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental small ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Spider Flower toxic to Horses?

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental grazing intake (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No known toxic effects; very rare mild, temporary gastrointestinal upset may occur with excessive ingestion

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental small ingestion

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental small ingestion

Horses

Non-toxic

No documented toxic poisoning symptoms; no adverse effects expected from accidental grazing intake

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of the plant are known to be toxic

Exposure RouteNo exposure route poses confirmed toxic risk; ingestion of plant material is not associated with poisoning

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic compounds identified

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth of any remaining plant material if local irritation occurs
• Offer small sips of water to flush residual plant matter from the throat
• Monitor for 1-2 hours for rare mild stomach upset post ingestion

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy develops after ingestion
• Your pet has a known history of plant allergies or unusual dietary sensitivity

Prevention

• Keep garden clippings and potted plants out of reach of teething pets and small children to avoid overconsumption
• Confirm plant identification before introducing to households with pets or livestock grazing areas
• Dispose of discarded plant material in sealed bins inaccessible to animals

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care for mild gastrointestinal upset if needed
• No specific antidote is required as no toxic effects are documented
• Symptomatic care for rare allergic reactions if they present

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCleome hasserlana

AliasesGrandfather's Whiskers、Pink Queen Spider Flower

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organs are known to be adversely affected by ingestion of this plant

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism identified as the plant is classified fully non-toxic

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Sheep: No documented toxic effects, expected safe for grazing

Goats: No documented toxic effects, expected safe for grazing

Domestic Rabbits: No known toxic risk, mild gastrointestinal upset possible with very large ingestion amounts

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

Both share 'spider' in common names and have long, thin protruding structures; Spider Plant is a common indoor foliage plant, while Spider Flower is an outdoor annual flowering garden plant with showy pink, purple or white blooms.

Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria

Both have tall spikes of pink/purple flowers; Purple Loosestrife has small, densely packed blooms, while Spider Flower has larger, spaced flowers with characteristic long stamen 'spider legs'.

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Related Toxic Plants

Tick Weed

Cleome viscosa

Low toxicity

Woolly Caper Bush

Capparis tomentosa

Moderate toxicity

Bush Maerua

Maerua cafra

High toxicity

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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