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Is Firecracker Plant Toxic to Cats?

✅ Non-Toxic
✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit
⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.
No, firecracker plants are non-toxic to cats. The tubular red flowers that hummingbirds love are safe around cats.

Also known as: Cigar Plant, Cigar Flower, Mexican Firecracker, Cuphea ignea · Cuphea ignea

What to do if your cat eats it

No action needed. A chewed flower or stem carries no toxin; at most a small fiber vomit follows.

Common questions

Is firecracker plant the same as firecracker flower?

Names overlap — Cuphea ignea, Dichelostemma ida-maia and Russelia equisetiformis all get called firecracker plant, and all the common ones are non-toxic. Verify the tag if your cat is a serious chewer.

Are the red flowers attractive to cats to eat?

Cats rarely target them — they have no scent cats crave — but a playful paw will swat them. Both plant and cat come out of the encounter fine.

More plants checked for cats

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to cats. Chewing the leaves or vines releases sharp calcium oxalate crystalAloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to cats. The gel is famously soothing for human skin, buSpider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to cats. They are one of the best houseplants for homes with curEaster Lily☠️ ToxicYes — and this is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can meet. Every part of an Easter lily,Sago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to cats and among the deadliest houseplants. Every part contaiBoston Fern✅ Non-ToxicNo, Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats — a classic choice for plant-loving cat households.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.