Valerian
Valeriana officinalis · Caprifoliaceae
How it looks
An upright herbaceous perennial growing 90–150 cm tall. Small white to pale pink flowers gather in fragrant, flat clusters 5–12 cm across from June to August. Native to Europe and Asia; its root yields the sedative herbal preparation of the same name.
No toxicity data available
Valerian 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
Valerian has no official toxicity data, so it is hard to say for certain whether it is safe.
The "valerian" used to stuff cat toys is the root of this plant. In the same 100-cat study, 47% responded to valerian root (Bol et al., 2017) — lower than catnip (68%) or silver vine (79%).
Check the name. In Korea the standard name refers to the native species Valeriana fauriei; this page covers V. officinalis. Sellers sometimes mix the two, so the botanical name is the reliable check.
The strong root odor can keep a cat chewing a toy for a long time. Stuffing that escapes a torn toy can be swallowed, so discard split toys promptly, and contact your vet if ingestion is suspected or you see vomiting or lethargy.
Details
- Scientific name
- Valeriana officinalis
- Common name
- Valerian
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Source
- No confirmed source — not listed by ASPCA or NC State Extension
Also known as
Related plants
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