Is It Poisonous
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Considered non-toxic in normal contact.

Is African Daisy Poisonous? – Safety Guide for Pets and People

PlantsDogsCatsChildren By Hannah Reeve · Researched and fact-checked against ASPCA and poison-control sources

African daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is not poisonous to dogs, cats, horses, or people. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to all three animal categories, and it poses no significant toxic risk to humans either. If your dog takes a bite or your cat gnaws on a stem, serious harm is not expected.

About the African Daisy

African daisy is a cheerful flowering plant native to southern Africa. It goes by several names: Barberton daisy, Gerber daisy, Veldt daisy, and Transvaal daisy. The species most commonly sold in garden centers and flower shops is Gerbera jamesonii, in the family Compositae (also called Asteraceae). Its bright, long-stemmed blooms in orange, red, yellow, pink, and white make it a popular choice as a cut flower and in garden beds.

It belongs to the same plant family as daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. While some members of that family can cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals, African daisy does not contain meaningful concentrations of toxic compounds.

Can African Daisy Cause Any Reaction?

For the vast majority of pets and people, no. Plants in the Compositae family occasionally cause mild contact dermatitis in individuals with existing allergies or very sensitive skin. If your dog develops mild skin irritation after rolling in the flowers, or your child gets a slight rash from prolonged contact, wash the affected area with soap and water. Reactions of this type are uncommon and are not a sign of poisoning.

Eating the leaves or petals may cause mild stomach upset in dogs or cats, the same way any unfamiliar plant material can. That is a digestive response to novelty, not a toxic effect.

Symptoms to Watch For

There are no known toxicity symptoms for African daisy ingestion in dogs, cats, horses, or people.

Dogs and cats: No toxic symptoms expected. Mild stomach upset is possible after eating a large amount of plant material, but this is not poisoning.

Humans and children: No toxic symptoms expected. Skin irritation is possible in allergy-prone individuals after direct contact.

What to Do If Your Pet or Child Ate African Daisy

  1. Stay calm. African daisy is non-toxic and serious harm is not expected.
  2. Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth.
  3. Rinse the mouth with water.
  4. Monitor for any unusual behavior or digestive upset over the next few hours.
  5. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your vet if symptoms develop or persist.
  6. Do not induce vomiting unless a medical professional directs you to.

Safe Handling and Garden Use

African daisy is widely recommended for pet-friendly and child-friendly gardens precisely because of its non-toxic status. You can grow it in beds, containers, or as a cut flower indoors without concern. No special precautions are needed for pet households.

A few practical notes:

  • Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continued flowering and to reduce the chance of pets chewing on decaying plant matter.
  • Wash hands after prolonged gardening as a general hygiene habit.
  • If you have a pet that eats every plant it encounters, watch for signs of general GI upset from consuming large volumes of vegetation, regardless of toxicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is African daisy the same as Gerbera daisy? Yes. African daisy, Gerbera daisy, Barberton daisy, and Transvaal daisy all refer to Gerbera jamesonii and are used interchangeably.

Is African daisy safe for cats? Yes. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats.

Can my dog eat African daisy flowers? The plant is non-toxic. Eating a flower or two will not cause poisoning. A large quantity of plant material may cause mild stomach upset, as with any unfamiliar food.

Is African daisy related to other daisies that are toxic to pets? African daisy is in the Compositae family, which also includes chrysanthemums, which are toxic to pets. African daisy itself is not toxic. The family membership does not transfer toxicity between species.

Should I be worried if my child touched African daisy sap? No. The plant is not known to cause toxic reactions from contact. Wash any plant sap off skin as a general precaution.