Last Updated on February 21, 2022 by Griselda M.
Are there poisonous succulents to avoid? The quick answer is yes.
While succulents are easy to love, some varieties can be deadly to animals and humans. This is why, when you start developing a succulent garden in your home, you need to be aware of the toxic succulents so you can avoid them.
Succulent awareness is very important especially if you have a fur baby at home. Or when you have a curious toddler. Most planters continue to plant some poisonous varieties because of their endearing beauty. But the are planting techniques to follow to ensure safety at home.
The majority of the succulents do not pose a threat to humans. But more of them can be potentially dangerous to animals. Overall, succulents are safe although some of them are toxic. Nevertheless, below is the list of succulents that you may need to avoid.
List Of Poisonous Succulent
Euphorbia
One of the more commonly known succulents is the Euphorbia family. Euphorbias can produce white sap that can cause skin irritation. While not all individuals respond to the poison, the sap will for the most part make a rash show up anyplace it interacted with skin.
It’s ideal to utilize gloves when taking care of Euphorbias to stay away from skin contact with the sap. You likewise shouldn’t ingest the sap or a Euphorbia plant overall.
Kalanchoes
While not risky for people, numerous Kalanchoes can make animals sick as they eat the leaves. Typically, it will cause some allergic reactions but not fatal.
String Of Pearls
Local to South Africa, these plants have become extremely famous for their versatility and growing habits. The stems can grow up to 3ft (90cm) long, which makes them great for hanging pots. The stems are fixed with little, round, pea-like green leaves.
Crassula Arborescence (Silver Jade Plant)
Crassula arborescence (otherwise called Silver Jade, Chinese Jade, Money Plant) is local to South Africa. Their distinctive highlights are their ‘silver dollar’ leaves, which are round and shimmering green in shading with ruddy edges. The poisonous substance is obscure.
Snake Plants
Sansevieria Trifasciata, normally known as Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is local to West Africa. They have long, and somewhat breezy leaves that point upwards. The leaves are for the most part green, a few assortments have yellow edges.
Snake plants are known to assist with air purification by eliminating formaldehyde and benzene poisons from the air in your home.
The substance compound in snake establishes that can cause disturbance is saponin, which is additionally found in different other plant species.
Jade Plant
Crassula is a huge class of delicious plants. Jade plants are local to South Africa and Mozambique. Referred to some as cash trees, fortunate plants, or companionship trees, jade plants are quite possibly the most well-known and normal succulent out there.
They are perceived for their thick, plump, sparkling, smooth leaves that fill in inverse sets. It is obscure what substance makes jade plants poisonous.
Non-Poisonous Succulents For Your Garden
It’s better safe than sorry. We understand that many of the poisonous succulents are attractive ones. However, there are many other succulent varieties that you can plant in your home such as the following.
- Blue Echeveria
- Burro’s Tail
- Ghost Plant
- Hardy Baby Tears
- Haworthia
- Hens and Chickens
- Maroon Chenille Plant
- Mexican Firecracker
- Mexican Rosettes
- Mexican Snowballs
- Painted Lady
- Plush Plant
- Tree Cactus
- Wax Rosette
The key to having a wonderful succulent garden is to have the right combination of succulents and pot. The care process is also crucial to have to bloom and thriving succulent gardens.
When succulents are thin and leggy, they may not always look attractive. This happens when the succulent garden is neglected. Just because succulents don’t need too much care doesn’t mean you can neglect them. Still, proper care is needed for your succulent garden to thrive.
Read more about Everything You Need About The Crowns Of Thorns Plant
Why Are Some Succulents Poisonous?
Some succulent varieties are poisonous because it is a defense mechanism for them. Succulents produce toxins to deter herbivores and discourage animals from devouring them. This is the same reason why the majority of the succulents have thorns, spines, and prickles.
But the most effective protection is their toxins. The toxins are contained in the stalks and leaves. When animals and humans accidentally eat them, they may cause an allergic reaction. These allergic reactions can be intense for the body to carry.
Severe allergies may cause severe symptoms, which can cause death in animals. The following are signs of succulent poisoning.
- Mouth and stomach irritation
- Vomiting
- Temporary blindness
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Muscular and nervous systems shut down
Are Succulent’s Toxic To Humans?
Some succulent varieties as we have mentioned above can be poisonous to humans, especially kids. While adults don’t normally eat succulents’ leaves, poisoning can happen with kids as they accidentally bite on succulent leaves.
Nevertheless, you can still plant succulents. Even when called dangerous succulents, there are ways to plant them in a way that they are out of reach by kids. For example, you can hang them on your balcony or in your outdoor garden.
The string of pearls, for example, are great hanging plants. A garden of the string of pearls can look great. You can learn how to develop a hanging garden here.
Jade plants for example can make a great indoor plant. So long as you put them in a container and higher places, other than tables and countertops, you are safe. Jade plants are also a great addition to your wall garden.
Then, you can blend it with some echeverias and other stone plants. Just so you know, poisoning in pets is rare.
Animals have their instincts and they usually smell the plant before trying to eat them. Some animals feed on leaves for self-medication but they seldom eat succulents.
When in doubt, you can look up the succulent variety you are having. If you think that your pet has eaten some succulents and is developing symptoms of poisoning, contact your vet immediately. The timely intervention will save your pet from unfortunate ends.
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