Silver Vine
Actinidia polygama · Actinidiaceae
How it looks
A deciduous climbing shrub, distinctive for leaves that turn from green to white — sometimes only across the upper half. The ovate leaves are 7–14 cm long; white flowers about 2–2.5 cm across open in June–July, followed by yellow to orange fruit in September–October. Native to mountain woodland in Korea, Japan, China, and Russia.
No toxicity data available
Silver Vine is not listed in the ASPCA's toxic plants list for cats, and NC State Extension has no toxicity data for it either. With no confirmed evidence either way, we cannot call it safe — exercise caution if your cat has access to it.
Guide for parents
Silver Vine has no official toxicity data, so it is hard to say for certain whether it is safe.
In the pet market it is better known by its Japanese name, matatabi, and usually sold as powder made from dried fruit galls or as chew sticks. Cats that ignore catnip often respond to this instead — in a study of 100 domestic cats, 79% responded to silver vine versus 68% to catnip (Bol et al., BMC Veterinary Research, 2017). That is behavioral research, not a safety assessment.
Watch the name overlap. Silver vine shares its genus with hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta), kiwifruit (A. deliciosa), and A. kolomikta. The cat response is reported for A. polygama specifically, so check the botanical name.
Use only small amounts of powder or sticks at a time, and stop and consult your vet if you see excessive excitement, drooling, or vomiting.
Details
- Scientific name
- Actinidia polygama
- Common name
- Silver Vine
- Family
- Actinidiaceae
- Source
- No confirmed source — not listed by ASPCA or NC State Extension
Also known as
Related plants
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