Is phlox toxic to cats?

No, Phlox subulata (moss phlox) is classified as non-toxic to cats per official ASPCA toxicology data. It is safe to grow around cats.

Is phlox toxic to humans?

Phlox subulata is not known to be toxic to humans. It is a low-growing ornamental flower in the Polemoniaceae family with no documented cases of human poisoning.

Moss Phlox Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 932 found this helpful

Moss Phlox is explicitly classified as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA

No harmful toxic principles or compounds have been identified in any part of this plant

Incidental ingestion by humans or common domestic animals poses no significant health risk

FAQ

Is Moss Phlox toxic to Humans?

No expected adverse effects from small accidental ingestion; very rare mild stomach upset may occur only if large quantities are consumed (Non-toxic)

Is Moss Phlox toxic to Cats?

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental nibbling or ingestion is not associated with harm (Non-toxic)

Is Moss Phlox toxic to Dogs?

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental nibbling or ingestion is not associated with harm (Non-toxic)

Is Moss Phlox toxic to Horses?

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental grazing of small amounts poses no health risk (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No expected adverse effects from small accidental ingestion; very rare mild stomach upset may occur only if large quantities are consumed

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental nibbling or ingestion is not associated with harm

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental nibbling or ingestion is not associated with harm

Horses

Non-toxic

No documented toxic symptoms; incidental grazing of small amounts poses no health risk

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans or common domestic animals

Exposure RouteAll typical exposure routes (ingestion, skin contact, inhalation of pollen) have no associated toxic risks

Toxic CompoundsNo identified toxic active principles; plant is confirmed non-toxic per ASPCA guidelines

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth with clean water to remove any remaining plant residue after ingestion
• Wipe skin with mild soap and water if contact causes rare minor irritation in sensitive individuals
• Monitor for 24 hours for unusual symptoms, though adverse effects are extremely unlikely

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet exhibits persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after ingesting very large quantities of the plant
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is Moss Phlox and suspect it may be a toxic lookalike species
• If your pet has pre-existing severe gastrointestinal or allergic conditions after exposure

Prevention

• Accurately identify all plants in your home and yard to avoid confusing Moss Phlox with toxic lookalike species
• Discourage young children and pets from overconsuming any plant material, even non-toxic varieties, to avoid mild digestive upset
• No special storage is required for this plant as it poses no toxic risk to household members or pets

Treatment & Prognosis

• No specific medical treatment is required for standard incidental exposure
• Provide supportive care (bland food, fresh water) if rare mild gastrointestinal upset occurs
• Seek symptomatic medical or veterinary care if persistent unusual symptoms develop after exposure

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePhlox subulata

AliasesCreeping Phlox、Mountain Phlox、Pink Moss

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organ systems are at risk of damage from exposure to this non-toxic plant

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanisms identified, as the plant contains no known harmful active compounds that affect humans or common domestic animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: No documented toxic effects from incidental grazing of small amounts of the plant

Sheep: No documented toxic effects from incidental grazing of small amounts of the plant

Domestic Rabbits: No known harmful effects from small quantity ingestion; large amounts may cause mild digestive upset

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Myrtle Spurge Euphorbia myrsinites

Similar low-growing, spreading habit with small clustered blooms; key difference is Myrtle Spurge exudes a toxic milky white sap when stems are broken, which Moss Phlox does not produce

Mountain Rock Cress Arabis caucasica

Similar mat-forming growth habit with pink or white spring blooms; key difference is Rock Cress has small, elongated oval leaves, while Moss Phlox has short, needle-like evergreen leaves

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Related Toxic Plants

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Low; may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset if consumed in very large quantities

Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium caeruleum

Low; rare reports of mild digestive irritation in sensitive animals after large volume ingestion

Standing Cypress

Ipomopsis aggregata

Low; contains minor alkaloids that may cause mild nausea or stomach upset in large doses

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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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