Orange Day Lily Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 3,466 found this helpful

Hemerocallis graminea

Orange Day Lily is non-toxic to dogs and horses but carries a severe, potentially fatal toxicity risk only to cats

Exposure in cats leads to clinical signs including vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and kidney failure

The specific toxic compounds contained in this plant have not been formally identified by the ASPCA

FAQ

Is Orange Day Lily toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxicity cases in humans reported in available data (Non-toxic)

Is Orange Day Lily toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, possible death (Severe)

Is Orange Day Lily toxic to Dogs?

No known adverse toxic effects from exposure (Non-toxic)

Is Orange Day Lily toxic to Horses?

No known adverse toxic effects from exposure (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity cases in humans reported in available data

Cats

Severe

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, possible death

Dogs

Non-toxic

No known adverse toxic effects from exposure

Horses

Non-toxic

No known adverse toxic effects from exposure

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts (leaves, flowers, roots, pollen) are considered toxic to cats even in small amounts

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part, ingestion of pollen groomed off fur/paws, mouth contact with plant material

Toxic CompoundsUnknown, not yet identified per ASPCA data

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the cat's mouth, fur, and paws immediately if ingestion is observed
• Do not attempt to induce vomiting or administer home remedies unless explicitly instructed by a vet
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant to show the veterinarian for fast, accurate identification

Contact Vet Immediately

• Cat has ingested any amount of the plant, including small quantities of pollen
• Cat exhibits vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite after potential exposure
• Cat has visible plant pollen on its coat that it may ingest while grooming

Prevention

• Keep all Orange Day Lily plants out of homes, balconies, and yards accessible to cats
• Inspect all cut flower bouquets for day lilies before bringing them into spaces with cats
• Wipe down outdoor clothing, shoes, and bags that may carry lily pollen before entering a cat-occupied home

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarian-administered induced vomiting and activated charcoal to reduce toxin absorption
• 24 to 72 hours of intravenous fluid therapy to support kidney function and prevent permanent damage
• Continuous monitoring of kidney function biomarkers for a minimum of 72 hours post exposure

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameHemerocallis graminea

AliasesGrass-leaved Daylily

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsSevere

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

KidneysGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• Toxic mechanism is not fully characterized; unidentified toxic compounds target feline kidney tissue, leading to acute tubular necrosis and kidney failure

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets): No confirmed toxicity cases documented, exposure is discouraged as a precaution

Birds, reptiles, and amphibians: No available data on toxicity effects for these species

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Tawny Daylily Hemerocallis fulva

Visually nearly identical with bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers; H. graminea has narrower, grass-like foliage as indicated by its species name 'graminea'

Orange True Lily Lilium bulbiferum

Shares bright orange flower color and Liliaceae family; true lilies have larger, pollen-heavy stamens, while individual daylily flowers only last 24 hours

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Related Toxic Plants

Easter Lily

Lilium longiflorum

Severely toxic, fatal to cats even in small doses

Tiger Lily

Lilium lancifolium

Severely toxic to cats, can cause acute kidney failure

Asiatic Lily

Lilium asiaticum

Severely toxic to cats, low exposure can lead to death

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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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