Cats safety

Is Citronella Safe for Cats?

Quick answer

Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is toxic to cats. ASPCA lists Cymbopogon species including lemongrass as toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes GI upset; the essential oil can be harmful to cats particularly. Keep pots out of reach of pets.

Citronella houseplant

Is Citronella safe for cats?

Toxic(moderate)

Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is toxic to cats. ASPCA lists Cymbopogon species including lemongrass as toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes GI upset; the essential oil can be harmful to cats particularly. Keep pots out of reach of pets.

Possible symptoms: contact your veterinarian if ingested

Sources

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. If your cats ate Citronella, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

Safer alternatives for cats

Frequently asked questions

Is Citronella safe for cats?

Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is toxic to cats. ASPCA lists Cymbopogon species including lemongrass as toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes GI upset; the essential oil can be harmful to cats particularly. Keep pots out of reach of pets.

What should I do if my cats ate Citronella?

Remove any remaining plant material, note how much was eaten, and contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately. Watch for: contact your veterinarian if ingested.

What are safer plant alternatives for cats?

Browse our verified list of plants safe for cats at /best-plants/plants-safe-for-cats/. Popular picks include spider plant, Boston fern, and areca palm for cat and dog households.

How this Citronella profile is reviewed?

Editorial policyReview board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board

This Citronella plant profile was researched and written by . Care facts, watering ranges, light needs, and pet-safety notes for Citronella are checked against multiple independent references before publication.

We prioritize sources that hold up under scrutiny:

  • University cooperative extension bulletins and fact sheets (Penn State, Clemson, UMD, NC State, and similar programs)
  • Botanical garden and horticultural society publications
  • Peer-reviewed plant science and veterinary toxicology references where pet safety matters (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control)
  • Established reference works on indoor plant culture

The LeafyPixels editorial team then reviews the draft for clarity, step-by-step usefulness, and fit with real apartment and home conditions-not ideal greenhouse setups. When guidance changes materially, we update the page and note the revision date.

Sources used

  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control (n.d.) Pet toxicity classification. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lemongrass (Accessed: 1 March 2024).