Flaming Katy Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,322 found this helpful

Wild Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are consistently toxic, while cultivated varieties range from non-toxic to moderately toxic

The entire plant contains bufadienolide cardenolide glycosides, the primary active toxic compounds

Ingestion can cause severe symptoms including respiratory distress, convulsions and paralysis in sensitive species like cats

FAQ

Is Flaming Katy toxic to Humans?

No specific human toxicity cases documented in available data; large ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset, cardiac arrhythmia and weakness consistent with cardenolide exposure (Low)

Is Flaming Katy toxic to Cats?

Dyspnea (shortness of breath), convulsions, paralysis following ingestion (Moderate)

Is Flaming Katy toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific symptoms documented; ingestion may cause cardiac dysfunction, gastrointestinal upset and neurological signs consistent with cardenolide poisoning (Moderate)

Is Flaming Katy toxic to Horses?

No species-specific symptoms documented; ingestion may cause reduced appetite, lethargy, weakness and cardiac rhythm abnormalities (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No specific human toxicity cases documented in available data; large ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset, cardiac arrhythmia and weakness consistent with cardenolide exposure

Cats

Moderate

Dyspnea (shortness of breath), convulsions, paralysis following ingestion

Dogs

Moderate

No species-specific symptoms documented; ingestion may cause cardiac dysfunction, gastrointestinal upset and neurological signs consistent with cardenolide poisoning

Horses

Moderate

No species-specific symptoms documented; ingestion may cause reduced appetite, lethargy, weakness and cardiac rhythm abnormalities

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only confirmed toxic exposure route; skin contact does not cause systemic toxicity per available data

Toxic CompoundsCardenolide glycosides; Bufadienolides (including Daigremontianin); Cotyledontoxin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed individual immediately
• Induce vomiting only if explicitly directed by a medical/veterinary professional, within 1 hour of ingestion if no convulsions are present
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove residual plant matter

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of wild Kalanchoe blossfeldiana by cats, dogs, horses or grazing livestock
• Onset of symptoms including difficulty breathing, convulsions, paralysis, lethargy or loss of appetite after exposure
• Ingestion of large quantities of cultivated Kalanchoe varieties by small pets, young children or herbivorous livestock

Prevention

• Keep wild and cultivated Kalanchoe plants out of reach of children, pets and grazing livestock
• Clearly label Kalanchoe plants in home and garden settings to avoid accidental ingestion
• Never feed any part of Kalanchoe plants to pet rabbits, goats or other small herbivores

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer gastrointestinal decontamination (activated charcoal, gastric lavage) as clinically indicated
• Provide symptomatic supportive care including management of respiratory distress, convulsions and cardiac arrhythmias
• Monitor cardiac function, electrolyte levels and vital signs for at least 24 hours post-exposure in symptomatic individuals

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameKalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.; Kalanchoe globulifera H. Perrier var. coccinea H. Perrier

AliasesChristmas kalanchoe、Florist kalanchoe、Madagascar widow's-thrill、Flamendes Käthchen (German)、Kalanchoé de Noël (French)、Calancola (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

HeartCentral nervous systemRespiratory systemGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• Bufadienolide cardenolide glycosides inhibit cellular sodium-potassium ATPase pumps, disrupting cardiac cell function and leading to secondary neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal effects

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Rabbit: Depression, dyspnea, teeth grinding and incoordination following ingestion

Angora goat: Anorexia, lethargy, weakness, reduced movement, rumen atony, tachycardia, cervical ventroflexion, occasional hypersalivation and fatalities reported after ingestion of related toxic Crassulaceae species

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Both are Kalanchoe genus succulents with thick fleshy foliage; K. daigremontiana produces small plantlets along leaf margins that are absent on K. blossfeldiana

Panda Plant Kalanchoe tomentosa

Fuzzy thick leaves of the panda plant may be confused with some K. blossfeldiana cultivars; panda plant leaves have distinct brown marginal spots not present on Flaming Katy

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Related Toxic Plants

Mother of Millions

Kalanchoe delagoensis

High toxicity

Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

Low to Moderate toxicity

String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus

Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

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