Succulents like the Kalanchoe and Euphorbia can be poisonous to people. Even non-toxic succulents should be kept out of the reach of kids and pets as a general guideline for all house plants.
EUPHORBIA SUCCULENTS
Plants in the Euphorbiaceae family include euphorbia succulents. They are the fourth-largest genus of flowering plants and are frequently referred to as spurge plants. They are a blooming plant that is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions. Around 1,200 of the family’s more than 2,000 species are succulents. These succulents are renowned for their large, fleshy leaves, blooms, and cactus-like appearance.
SIDE EFFECTS FROM EUPHORBIA SAP
These plants release a milky sap that both people and animals may find harmful. Usually, a succulent’s leaves will have sap on them. It can result in a rash if it comes into contact with any exposed skin. Euphorbia sap can irritate the eyes and cause pain and redness. In order to safeguard your hands and eyes when handling Euphorbia succulents, wear gloves.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET EUPHORBIA SAP ON YOUR SKIN OR EYES
If you touch or come in contact with Euphorbia sap, wash the affected area well with lots of lukewarm water right away. Because the sap is sticky, more water and soap could be necessary. Start cleaning your eye(s) with warm water if Euphorbia sap gets in them. In the event of any plant exposure, it is crucial to contact the Poison Center for further instructions.
KALANCHOE SUCCULENTS
Usually found in adorable pots, kalanchoe succulents can be found in flower stores or garden centers. A little cluster of flowers that typically has one huge bloom atop the stalk is produced by them. Large kalanchoe succulent leaves are typically a vivid dark green. There are up to 125 different species of this kind of plant.
SIDE EFFECTS FROM INGESTING KALANCHOE SUCCULENTS
When consumed, the majority of kalanchoe plant kinds only possibly produce nausea and vomiting. Some Kalanchoe species have a naturally occurring toxin that can harm the heart. The majority of the time, this occurs in grazing cattle and in some animal experiments, although it is unlikely to harm humans.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE EATS A PIECE OF KALANCHOE SUCCULENT
If you or someone else has consumed a piece of kalanchoe succulent, rinse your mouth out with water and a soft towel. Call the Poison Center to discuss potential symptoms with a poison information professional. Call your veterinarian straight away or go to an animal poison center for help if your pet has consumed a piece of kalanchoe plant.
Most succulents are they poisonous?
Are succulents harmful to animals? Hopefully your pets aren’t damaging your plants by chewing on them or digging them up for pleasure. If they do, though, should you be concerned about poisoning or toxicity? Fortunately, the majority of succulents are thought to be non-toxic and safe for pets to consume.
Some can cause mild symptoms when consumed, while others contain skin irritants that might cause minor skin irritations. However, some succulents can be deadly if consumed in high quantities.
The following list of 9 succulents can be toxic to pets:
A big and well-known genus called Aloe contains small dwarf species and giant tree-like species that can reach heights of up to 30 feet (10m). They feature large, fleshy leaves that range in color from green to bluish green. On the stem surfaces of some kinds, there are white flecks.
Aloe vera is harmful to both cats and dogs when consumed, despite the fact that it is well known for its many medical and useful benefits for people. Aloe’s principal toxin, saponin, which is a substance found in it, can seriously harm your pet’s health.
Which succulents are safe for humans to consume?
10 Pet-Safe, Non-Toxic Succulents
- Haworthia zebra.
- Echeveria in blue.
- Palm of the pony.
- Cow’s Tail.
- Ruby Heart Sempervivum
- Christmas Cacti.
- the Haworthia retusa.
- The opuntia genus.
Are succulent Echeveria toxic to humans?
There are over 150 different species of succulent plants in the genus Echeveria, in addition to numerous hybrids. The majority of Echeveria are considered non-poisonous to humans. However, it is advised against intentionally eating echeveria.
Although there are no hazardous or harmful compounds that can affect humans, especially children, if they unintentionally swallow Echeveria, the germs that can be found on the plant’s surface can nevertheless make people unwell. Echeveria is not a natural food source for people, and it hasn’t been thoroughly researched to know if consuming big amounts can upset people’s stomachs. Therefore, eating Echeveria on purpose is not advised.
Are succulent aloes toxic?
With succulents becoming more and more popular, it’s critical to understand which plants are safe for pets and which could be toxic.
Succulent interior décor is a burgeoning trend for several reasons. These little plants are ideal for practically any place because they are simple to grow, require little care, come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and produce blossoms that persist for a long time.
Any plant that retains water in its leaves, stems, or both is referred to as a succulent. This type of plant has a somewhat bloated or fleshy appearance.
The popularity of succulents is growing, thus it’s critical for vets to be able to inform their clients whether these common plants are risky for their animals.
In general, succulents won’t hurt pets if they eat them, but there are a few hazardous kinds that both pet owners and vets should be aware of. Make sure your clients are keeping these possibly harmful succulents away from their homes and outdoor areas.
Some aloe plants, although being among the most popular succulent houseplants on the planet, are poisonous to animals. Aloe vera contains saponins and anthraquinones, which, when consumed, can result in lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting (though not in horses). Vomiting and a change in urine color can be brought on by real aloe’s anthraquinones, anthracene, and glycosides (red).
Is the jade plant toxic?
One of the toxic members of the Crassula family is the jade plant (Crassula ovata). Given that this particular variety of jade plant may be harmful to animals, it is preferable to keep it in inaccessible locations. They differ from other members of the jade family like the Ripple Jade because of their destructive principles.
Our basic rule for houseplants is that research can go a long way toward ensuring that your family, pets, and houseplants all get along. Every month, on the first, we post on social media the two succulents that will come in the subscription box for that month. To see these postings, follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Then, check the ASPCA’s list of poisonous plants to see if the plants may cause an issue in your house. Simply gift or skip that month via your account page on our website if you believe they might.
To discover more about our second-generation nursery and succulent subscription, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Succulents are they touchable?
The leaves of a succulent are its most delicate component. Avoid touching them if you can. On a fleshy leaf, a scratch will last forever. Some plants have a powdery layer that won’t regrow, leaving permanent fingerprints. Although the roots are quite resilient, succulents can grow for weeks without them before needing to be replanted.
About the unique world of succulents, there is still a lot to discover. We suggest reading “Succulents Simplified Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties by Debra Lee Baldwin if you’re interested in learning more.
Succulents: are they cancerous?
Are succulents among the many modern-day factors that can contribute to the development of cancer?
We frequent the neighborhood markets with our succulents. Along with the possibility to make money, it also affords us the chance to interact with our clients. We developed this blog in part to share our knowledge and experiences and to respond to some of the inquiries we’ve received over the years at the markets. I was asked a question at our most recent market that I had never heard before. I was a little perplexed because I didn’t completely know the answer, but it sent me on a quest to learn more.
The conclusions I’m going to provide are simply our interpretations of data we obtained online and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. We lack the expertise and credentials to provide any guidance. Any issues should be discussed with experts. I did make an effort to read peer-reviewed, scientific studies, and I’ve included links to them below.
According to our assessment, there is now no proof that even simple contact with succulents might result in cancer. However, one study that focused on the Euphorbia Tirucalli, often known as “African Milk Bush” or “Firesticks,” had some intriguing results.
Hasworthia is it poisonous?
There is nothing like some greenery to bring color and vitality into your home, but it can be difficult to choose as many plants are hazardous to animals. We’ve compiled a list of eight indoor plants that are suitable for even the most curious of pets to help you choose houseplants a little bit more easily.
Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
The Kimberly Queen Fern maintains a neat, compact shape, unlike other ferns that can easily spread out and take over the space they’re in. Because of its long, almost sword-like leaves, which develop vertically, it is a good choice for a hanging basket. Another advantage of the Kimberly Queen Fern is its adaptability; in the summer, it thrives on balconies, and in the winter, it thrives in living rooms. Bloomscape has it for sale.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia)
There is no mystery as to why the Haworthia kind of succulent is frequently referred to as a zebra plant after just one glance. The zebra plant is completely safe for pets, despite having a shape and dimensions that are quite similar to aloe, which is harmful to cats and dogs. These durable succulents require little maintenance and add a unique ornamental element to any space, especially when placed in a unique pot.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is a superb indoor plant, as suggested by its name. This low-maintenance palm is renowned for its ability to purify the air and adds a touch of the tropics to any space it is placed in. The Parlor Palm, however, thrives in cooler temperatures and little light, unlike other tropical plants.
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
The African Violet is ideal if you want to give your home a year-round splash of color. This indoor flowering plant comes in a rainbow of hues, ranging from pinks and lavenders to blues and reds and everything in between. They require very little upkeep, making them ideal for gardeners of any skill level.
Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
The money tree is a common sight in both homes and offices since it is believed to bestow good fortune and financial prosperity upon its owner. It is easily recognized by its distinctive braided trunk and needs little upkeep while developing swiftly. Money trees are a great option of plant for a bathroom because they do well in a humid environment with lots of light, so don’t worry if your bathroom isn’t particularly bright. By placing the plant on a shallow tray loaded with rocks that is just barely covered in water, you can boost the humidity around the plant.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Ponytail palms are drought-tolerant, slow-growing, and long-living plants that require little care while yet being attractive. And when we say ponytail palms are drought tolerant, we actually mean that they are content to go a few weeks without watering. As a result, it is the perfect houseplant for those who frequently travel or don’t have enough time to properly care for a more temperamental plant.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)
Consider purchasing a Chinese money plant if you want to add some green to a bright spot in your home. These little plants have gained popularity due to their unusual look and the notion that they bestow prosperity, wealth, and abundance upon their owners. They are tough plants that like to air out a little between waterings. So this is the plant for you if you frequently forget to water it. Just be sure to put them in a pot with good drainage because they are prone to root rot.
Any artificial plant
You wouldn’t believe how far artificial plants have progressed in recent years. You don’t have to worry about choosing a type that is non-toxic because companies like Ikea and Terrain (Anthropologie’s gardening-focused sibling brand) provide a sizable range of plants that look as nice as real. There must be an artificial substitute for fans of lilies, aloe, and other plants that are harmful to animals.
All eight of the plants on this list are completely harmless, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best bet if your pet ever accidentally ingests one of the plants on this list. They also have a pet parent resource app that you can download, and their phone lines are available around-the-clock, 365 days a year.
Is the jade plant harmful to infants?
SUMMARY: The jade plant belongs to the Stonecrop family, which includes several extremely hazardous species, although the jade plant itself is only known to produce diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. I wouldn’t consume it. Although you should warn children about it, I don’t believe you need to yank them away.
Sources
The Crassulaceae family includes Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, often known as Christmas kalanchoe and flaming Katy, which is a native to Madagascar. 1 Numerous Kalanchoe species that were imported into the country now naturally occur in the South and are also cultivated for use in landscaping and indoor plants. Christmas kalanchoes can be made to bloom throughout the winter and feature vibrant, bright flowers that range from white to orange-gold to crimson.
Toxic dose
Due to a lack of suitable feed, all Kalanchoe species are poisonous, and losses to cattle occur when these plants are consumed in South Africa and Australia. 1 According to reports, dogs are more vulnerable to the cardiotoxic effects of kalanchoe. Other than K. blossfeldiana, toxic doses of Kalanchoe spp. have been established for livestock and birds, but not for small animals. An iguana that consumed the entire K. blossfeldiana plant was said to have died. 1
Mechanism of toxicity
All sections of the plant include cardiotoxic bufadienolides, which are the main toxic components of Kalanchoe spp. 1 These substances share a mode of action with digoxin and are related to the same cardiotoxic chemicals that cause poisoning in Bufo spp. toads. Bufadienolides reduce the normal membrane resting potential by raising intracellular sodium and decreasing intracellular potassium, which is caused by the inhibition of Na-K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in the cardiac cell membrane. 10 The myocardium’s capacity to serve as a pacemaker is reduced and normal electrical conduction is hindered. Asystole may eventually result from a total lack of normal cardiac electrical function. Particularly in cases of severe toxicosis, hyperkalemia occurs.
Clinical signs
There have been reports of depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, and diarrhea in animals. 1 The most common indication in animals is allegedly diarrhea, which may be bloody. Bradycardia, different arrhythmias, and heart block are examples of cardiac irregularities that cause weakness, dyspnea, collapse, and death. The most frequent symptoms in dogs and cats consuming Kalanchoe spp. were vomiting (57 percent), depression and/or lethargy (42 percent), and diarrhea (29 percent), according to a review of cases from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, unpublished data). Other symptoms included vocalization, tachycardia, anorexia, dyspnea, and weakness. Following consumption of kalanchoe, no canine or feline fatalities were observed.
Minimum database
After consuming kalanchoe, animals that exhibit clinical symptoms should have their blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and heart rate and rhythm regularly monitored. Due to the potassium being moved out of cells, cardiac glycoside toxicosis frequently results in hyperkalemia. Renal function should be evaluated throughout the toxicosis because hypotension may result in renal injury. Serum chemistry analysis should be used to assess liver and kidney function. Since hyperglycemia has been linked to Kalanchoe intoxication, it is advised to check blood sugar levels. 1
Confirmatory tests
Cardiac glycosides generated from plants will cross-react with immunoassays for digoxin or digitoxin. 11 As long as animals weren’t also exposed to other cardiac glycosides, these assays can help confirm the diagnosis of kalanchoe poisoning (e.g., digoxin). Serum levels, however, might not always be correlated with the level of toxicity. 11 The majority of human hospitals are equipped to do these tests on a statistical basis if necessary.
Treatment
Patients who are asymptomatic should be decontaminated (with emesis and activated charcoal) and kept under observation for the emergence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Animals who experience more severe, persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea should be examined by a veterinarian to determine their electrolyte and heart health. Fluid therapy should be started, and gastrointestinal symptoms should be addressed as needed. The type of cardiac arrhythmia present must be treated because they can vary; for bradyarrhythmias, atropine may be useful, while beta-blockers may be used for tachyarrhythmias. It’s crucial to correct electrolyte imbalances, especially hyperkalemia; sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) can help lower serum potassium levels. 12 It could be necessary to manage pulmonary edema, renal failure, ascites, or other problems brought on by heart failure.
When serum potassium reaches 5 mEq/L in the presence of acute intoxication and/or when severe arrhythmias that are poorly responsive to treatment are present, the administration of Digibind, a digoxin-specific immunological Fab, is advised.
13 The bloodstream’s cardiac glycosides are bound by these antibody fragments, and the glycoside-Fab complexes are then cleared by glomerular filtration. The use of Digibind in cardiac glycoside poisoning might lead to a rapid recovery in circulatory state, but recrudescence of symptoms may happen due to redistributing the remaining glycoside in the body, necessitating further treatment. Furthermore, once the unexcreted glycoside-Fab complexes become dissociated, animals with decreased renal function may relapse. Due to the Na-K ATPase pump’s reactivation after Digibind delivery, serum potassium levels may drop significantly. The suggested dose of Digibind is calculated using a formula based on the patient’s digoxin levels. Digoxin levels may not be easily accessible in veterinary instances, and it may be prohibitively expensive to provide the first five vials that are advised in human cases when digoxin levels are not available. Therefore, it is advised in these situations to utilize one to two vials initially and monitor the results. 13 Digibind’s price, which can be several hundred dollars each vial, is its main disadvantage.
Prognosis
In general, animals with minimal gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming kalanchoe have a satisfactory prognosis. The prognosis is guarded in animals exhibiting considerable cardiac arrhythmias and/or hyperkalemia, and animals exhibiting severe gastrointestinal symptoms are at risk for cardiovascular consequences.
Gross and histological lesions
Animals who succumbed to kalanchoe consumption would exhibit injuries that would imply heart failure. With scattered ecchymotic hemorrhages on the epicardium and pale foci within the myocardium, gross cardiac lesions may be undetectable or moderate. These foci exhibit areas of myofiber degeneration, cardiac necrosis, edema, and mononuclear cell infiltrates upon histopathological investigation. Depending on the length and severity of the clinical symptoms, other heart failure lesions, such as pulmonary edema or ascites, may be present.
Differential diagnoses
Other goods containing cardiac glycosides (such as medicines, plants, or toads), other gastrointestinal irritants, foreign body obstruction, pancreatitis, and viral gastroenteritis are possible differential diagnoses for the gastrointestinal symptoms caused by kalanchoe. Other cardiac glycoside-containing goods (such as pharmaceuticals, plants, and toads), other cardiac drugs (such as beta-blockers), sympathomimetics, and underlying heart illness are some other diagnosis for the cardiovascular effects (e.g., neoplasia, sick sinus syndrome).