Great as a gift 🌸
Yellowrocket
Barbarea vulgaris · Brassicaceae
How it looks
Yellowrocket is a herbaceous plant whose deeply lobed leaves grow in a basal cluster from the root, with small yellow four-petaled cross-shaped flowers gathered at the branch tips. It stands 12–31 in (30–80 cm) tall and grows commonly in the wild and in gardens.
Yellowrocket is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
One note on species first. This page rests on the ASPCA verdict for wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris). Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), which circulates under some of the same local names, sits in a different genus and is not on that list, so no cat-specific verdict covers it.
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.
Details
- Scientific name
- Barbarea vulgaris
- Common name
- Yellowrocket
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Same plant family· Brassicaceae
Other safe flowers
Related guides
7 Cat-Safe Flowers to Give a Cat Owner
Want to give flowers to a friend or family member who has a cat? Here are 7 flowers that are both beautiful and safe for cats.
Why Cats Chew Plants, and How to Stop It
A cat chewing and tearing at plants isn't just mischief — there's an instinct behind it. Once you understand why, the ways to stop it follow naturally.