Burns, vomiting and coma: what can be the dangers of indoor plants

I have both children and pets at home: two cats, a dog and a parrot. All of them, except the dog, would like to eat the flowers - and possibly die.

That's why I put some of the plants higher up on a rack with glass shelves - so that they can't be reached by a child and cats can't jump in.

I tell you what flowers can harm animals and people and what to do if you do get poisoned.

The cat can't see the support in the glass shelf, so he doesn't jump up to the pots.

Diffenbachia

Poisonous part: the whole plant

 

This unpretentious plant is often found in kindergartens, schools and hospitals because it is believed to purify the air.

In fact, it is very dangerous. If the plant is transplanted without gloves, it can cause skin irritation similar to a burn: the affected area is usually itchy, red and itchy. And if Diffenbachia juice gets into the mouth, the larynx and tongue may swell.

However, both children and animals will not eat many leaves: Diffenbachia is bitter.

Philodendron

Poisonous part: the whole plant

 

Philodendron has more than 900 species: for example, "climbing" - with shiny leaves, "graceful" - with leaves similar to a palm leaf, "blushing" - with a fleshy leaf and a red border.

Regardless of the species, this plant is poisonous: the sap irritates mucous membranes and skin. The milky juice contains calcium oxalate, which prevents calcium from being digested and causes poisoning if the juice is ingested. In large quantities, oxalates can lead to seizures and kidney failure.

Alocasia Polly

Poisonous part:## The whole plant.

 

This small and beautiful shrub lives on my warm balcony, away from shaggy and small family members and the heat of the radiators.

Alocasia belongs to the same family as Diffenbachia, so the symptoms of poisoning are similar: the sap can cause numbness and swelling of the tongue and throat, and if you work with the plant without gloves - burns on the skin. Once a cat got to the leaves and chewed them - he sat for a minute with his mouth open and then just threw up.

Monstera

Poisonous part: Leaves

 

Monstera is also often found in clinics and educational institutions: it requires no special care and grows lushly.

But the large fleshy leaves contain poison, which causes numbness and swelling of the mucous membranes, and the burning may not go away for a week. Respiratory depression and heart rhythm disturbances are possible. Monstera protects itself: chewing the leaf for a long time will not work, because the first bite will start salivation - as a rule, this immediately repels gourmets.

Hippeastrum

Poisonous part: the whole plant, especially the bulbs

 

The hippeastrum is a bulbous plant with lily-like flowers. It takes root well in southern regions and in apartments - but in this case you will have to ensure that the hippeastrum is kept in a cool, dark place from October to February.

The plant is especially dangerous for cats: the animal may suffer kidney failure, diarrhea and vomiting from several leaf bites.

Oleander

Poisonous part: the whole plant

 

Oleander is often used in landscaping and planted outdoors, but it also does well on windowsills.

However, children and animals who have tasted the plant's sap feel bad: it causes colic, vomiting and diarrhea. It also contains cortenerin, which in large quantities can cause cardiac arrest.

Trichocereus

Poisonous part: the whole plant.

 

This beautifully flowering cactus, native to Argentina and Bali, is easy to care for and happily survives the winter in dry air. But for spring flowering, Trichocereus needs a cold winter, e.g. on an insulated balcony if the temperature does not fall below +8 °C.

Some species, such as the Peruvian torch (Trichocereus peruvianus), contain mescaline. This is a psychedelic that causes hallucinations and CNS disorders. In large quantities, it can cause liver damage and coma.

Clivia

Poisonous part: Leaves

 

The dense leaves of clivia grow directly from the roots, wrapping around each other and forming a rosette. Therefore, it can be said that the whole plant is poisonous - including the beautiful scarlet flowers.

Clivia contains the alkaloid lycorine, which causes salivation, vomiting and diarrhea, and in large doses can lead to unconsciousness and paralysis.

Adenium

Poisonous part: milky sap.

 

It is an unusual succulent: the plant looks like a small tree with a crown of bright red or pink flowers. Adeniums require similar care to cacti: infrequent watering and a "winter rest" from water and bright color to bloom in spring.

Dense leaves when cut release a sap that causes vomiting, diarrhea and cramps if ingested. Adenium has no effect on the skin, but it is still better to work with the plant with gloves.

What to do in case of poisoning

1. To avoid unpleasant consequences, place the plant higher - so that animals and small children can not reach it.
2. If the juice gets on the skin - rinse with plenty of water, take antihistamines.
3. If part of the poisonous plant got inside - drink two or three glasses of water and induce vomiting. Take activated charcoal or other sorbent according to the instructions, urgently seek medical attention.

You can use the website of ASCPA - an animal protection association that deals with control of poisonous plants, among other things. Their site has the largest database of plants, which is compiled from all reported poisoning cases in the world.

A few short lists of popular plants (some are listed in the article, but let them do it again):

Popular indoor plants that are toxic:

❗️Spathiphyllum (also known as Peace Lily)

❗️Dracaena

❗️Monstera

❗️Zamioculcas (commonly referred to as the Money Tree)

❗️Aloe Vera

❗️Ficus Benjamina and Ficus Lyrata

❗️Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

❗️Yucca

❗️Philodendron

❗️Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Extremely toxic plants that are dangerous to animal life:

🆘 Azalea

🆘 Cyclamen

🆘 Calanhoe

🆘 Diffenbachia.

🆘 Lily

🆘Tulips

🆘 Lily of the valley

🆘Hyacinths

Safe plants:

✅Chlorophytum

✅Pilea

✅Peperomia

✅Areca palm.

✅Bamboo and bamboo palm.

✅Banana

✅Nephrolepis (fern)

✅Echeveria blue and elegans

✅Calathea

✅Bottle palm.

✅Hamedorea

✅Horea

✅ Decabrista (Schlumbergera)

✅Haworthia

✅ Orchid phalaenopsis

Violet