Greenbrier

Safe for cats

Great as a gift 🌸

Greenbrier

Smilax glabra · Smilacaceae

How it looks

Greenbrier is a thorny climbing vine with glossy round-to-oval leaves arranged alternately along the stem. Small round black fruits appear in clusters in autumn. It grows 10–16 ft (3–5 m) long and is common in mountainous areas.

This plant is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.

Guide for parents

Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day. If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well. If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.