Nasturtium Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 848 found this helpful

Nasturtium is confirmed non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA

No clinical cases of toxic ingestion associated with this plant have been documented to date

The plant contains no identified toxic principles that pose a risk to common domestic animals

FAQ

Is Nasturtium toxic to Humans?

No reported toxic effects; ingestion of small quantities is generally considered safe for humans (Non-toxic)

Is Nasturtium toxic to Cats?

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records (Non-toxic)

Is Nasturtium toxic to Dogs?

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records (Non-toxic)

Is Nasturtium toxic to Horses?

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records (Non-toxic)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No reported toxic effects; ingestion of small quantities is generally considered safe for humans

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records

Horses

Non-toxic

No documented adverse symptoms from ingestion per ASPCA records

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of this plant are known to be toxic to humans or common domestic animals

Exposure RouteNo identified toxic exposure routes; incidental skin contact or ingestion is not associated with harmful effects

Toxic CompoundsNo known toxic principles

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth with clean water if large amounts are ingested to reduce potential mild gastrointestinal irritation
• Monitor for rare individual allergic reactions to plant sap or foliage
• No emergency first aid is required for typical incidental exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea after ingesting very large quantities of the plant
• If you cannot confirm the plant is nasturtium and suspect ingestion of a toxic lookalike species

Prevention

• Confirm plant identity before growing around pets to avoid confusion with toxic lookalike species
• Keep potted nasturtium out of reach of young pets to prevent overconsumption that may cause mild digestive upset

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care (fluid replacement, dietary rest) only if mild temporary gastrointestinal upset occurs from overconsumption
• No specific antidote is required as no toxic compounds are present in the plant

Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameTropaeolum majus

AliasesNose-Twister、Nose-Tweaker

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

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

Mechanism of Action

• No identified toxic mechanism, as the plant does not contain any harmful active compounds for humans or common domestic animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Sheep: No reported toxicity, ingestion of normal quantities is considered safe

Goats: No documented adverse effects from consumption of the plant

Rabbits: Small amounts are safe as a supplemental treat, no toxic risks reported

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Watercress Nasturtium officinale

Shared common name overlap causes confusion; watercress is an aquatic Brassicaceae edible species, while nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a terrestrial ornamental in Tropaeolaceae with distinct round peltate leaves and trumpet-shaped spurred flowers.

Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna

Visually similar bright yellow flowers and rounded leaves; lesser celandine is toxic, contains protoanemonin, and grows in damp woodland areas, while nasturtium has larger thicker leaves and longer visible flower spurs.

Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Black Mustard

Brassica nigra

Low to Moderate toxicity

Field Pennycress

Thlaspi arvense

Moderate toxicity

Garlic Mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Low toxicity

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

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.