Is Devil's Backbone Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Kalanchoe tubiflora
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | No |
| Toxic component | Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (less potent than Oleander) |
| Onset of symptoms | Within a few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | indoor |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abnormal heart rhythm in large ingestions
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abnormal heart rhythm in large ingestions
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What to do
GI upset is most common, but cardiac monitoring is warranted for larger ingestions given the toxin family.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Devil's Backbone is bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (less potent than oleander).
What makes this plant different
One of several Kalanchoe species sold under dramatically different common names (Devil's Backbone, Mother of Millions, Chandelier Plant) despite sharing identical cardiac glycoside chemistry — the plant's habit of producing tiny plantlets along its leaf edges (giving it the 'Mother of Millions' name) makes it prone to spreading well beyond its original pot.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Kalanchoe tubiflora
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Also known as
- Devil's Backbone, Mother-In-Law-Plant, Kalanchoe, Chandelier Plant
- Typically found
- indoor
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Related plants
Blue Echeveria
Echeveria glauca
Burro's Tail
Sedum morganianum
Chandelier Plant
Kalanchoe tubiflora
Chinese Jade
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Jade Plant
Crassula argentea
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control