Linden

Safe for cats

Great as a gift 🌸

Linden

Tilia americana · Malvaceae

How it looks

Linden is a deciduous tree with large, heart-shaped serrated leaves arranged alternately. In summer, small yellow-green flowers hang from a large leaf-like bract and are very strongly fragrant. It grows 49–98 ft (15–30 m) tall.

Linden 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.