Is Lily of the Palace Poisonous? Toxicity Guide for Pets and People

Lily of the palace is toxic to dogs and cats. Also sold as Barbados lily, fire lily, and commonly called amaryllis (though true amaryllis is a different genus), the plant belongs to the genus Hippeastrum in the Amaryllidaceae family. All parts contain lycorine and related alkaloids, with the bulb holding the highest concentration. Ingestion should be treated as an emergency. This is not a plant where you wait to see if symptoms develop.

What Part of the Lily of the Palace Is Toxic?

The entire plant contains alkaloids, but the bulb is the most dangerous part. When people plant Hippeastrum bulbs in spring or store them in the fall, the bulb is fully exposed and accessible to digging dogs or curious pets. The leaves and flower stems also contain lycorine at lower concentrations.

The toxic principles confirmed by the ASPCA are lycorine and other alkaloids. Lycorine inhibits protein synthesis and can act as an emetic at low doses, causing vomiting. At higher doses, it affects the cardiovascular system and nervous system.

Symptoms of Lily of the Palace Ingestion

Symptoms typically appear within a few hours of ingestion, though bulb ingestion may produce effects quickly because of the higher alkaloid load.

Dogs and cats: Vomiting and salivation are often the first signs. Diarrhea follows in many cases. With larger ingestions, particularly of the bulb, more serious effects develop: low blood pressure, tremors, cardiac arrhythmias, and convulsions. Weakness and unsteadiness are common. Anorexia may persist for a day or more after an episode.

Humans and children: Lycorine is also toxic to humans. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and excessive salivation. In severe cases, especially involving bulb ingestion, hypotension and tremors have been reported. Children are at greater risk than adults due to lower body weight and the likelihood of putting bulbs or plant material in their mouths.

What to Do If Someone Ingests Lily of the Palace

1. Do not wait for symptoms before calling for help.
2. Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth.
3. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional or vet.
4. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your vet immediately.
5. If your pet ingested a bulb, treat this as an emergency and contact a veterinary clinic right away.
6. Take note of how much was eaten and which part (flower, leaf, or bulb) to help the vet assess the situation.

Time matters with lycorine toxicity. Early veterinary intervention allows for decontamination before the alkaloids are fully absorbed.

Safe Handling Around Pets and Children

• Store Hippeastrum bulbs in sealed containers out of reach of pets and children during planting and storage seasons.
• When potting or repotting, keep pets out of the area and wash hands after handling bulbs.
• Do not leave bulbs on low tables or counters where dogs might reach them.
• Consider placing potted plants on high shelves or in rooms that dogs and cats cannot access freely.
• If you receive Hippeastrum as a gift bulb kit, keep the bulb away from pets until it is fully potted and in a secure location.
• Wear gloves when handling bulbs, as the sap can irritate skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lily of the palace the same as amaryllis? They are closely related but not the same. True amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) is a different genus. Most plants sold as “amaryllis” at garden centers are Hippeastrum spp. Both are toxic to dogs and cats and both are in the Amaryllidaceae family with similar alkaloid profiles.

Is the flower of lily of the palace toxic? Yes. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the flowers. The flower stem also contains alkaloids. The bulb is the highest-risk part, but do not assume the flower is safe.

My dog chewed a leaf. How worried should I be? Call your vet. Even leaf ingestion warrants a call because the dose matters and your vet can help you decide whether to monitor at home or bring the animal in.

Can the plant cause problems from skin contact alone? Skin irritation is possible from sap contact, but the primary risk is from ingestion. Wash sap off skin and hands after handling any part of the plant.