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Toxic and dangerous succulent plants

Many of the plants we grow have active ingredients that can be toxic to people or animals and should be known to avoid problems, especially by children and their tendency to take leaves, flowers or berries when they play. Some people prefer to avoid any plant in the garden that can be toxic, personally I have always preferred to teach my children that plants are not toys or food.

Few succulents are really toxic, but there are

Among the succulents there are few species that are toxic but it is interesting to know that there are some. It is worth knowing them and knowing the type of threat they can pose to people and animals.
From what I have been able to find out, most succulents do not pose a risk  to humans. Some can be dangerous for animals but in general, succulents are quite safe when it comes to toxicity. The thorns of the cactus and some pricking leaves are, without a doubt, the most dangerous part of the succulent plants.
Even so, if a child swallows part of a plant and does not know its risks it is always advisable to consult with the doctor , even if it is only with a phone call to the health center.
Almost all animals are smart enough to avoid plants that can make them sick, but even so it could be that your pet ate some leaf or part of a plant.
Both for the children and for the animals that live in the house, it is convenient that you know the properties of the plants that you cultivate to know any potential danger .

Euphorbias

Euphorbias

The Euphorbias are a family of succulent plants quite toxic . These plants contain a white sap in the leaves that can irritate the skin causing eruptions in any area that comes in contact with its leaves. To handle the Euphorbias it is advisable to use gloves and you should never ingest any part of an Euphorbia.

Kalanchoes

Kalanchoes

While they are not dangerous to people, many Kalanchoes can be dangerous to animals . If your pet swallows a Kalanchoe leaf, it may fall ill, but do not worry too much because they are rarely lethal.
With the exception of Euphorbias and Kalanchoes, I do not know of other types of succulents that pose toxic hazards . However, I want to emphasize the danger of succulents with thorns and sharp leaves for children and animals.

Beware of sharp blades and thorns

The hard and needle-shaped leaves of some Agaves and Yuccas can be really harmful , in fact I avoid these plants during the time my children were small. On one occasion I had to go to the emergency room with a wound bleeding from having stuck a branch in the neck, thank God everything was in a scare.

But also cactus with small spines can be fearsome . Just a light touch and a lot of tiny spikes stick in your hand. Irritation and itching may last for several days.
Fortunately, succulents are quite safe plants in general but still, do some research to find out what kind of succulents you have at home in case they represent a threat to one of your loved ones.

 

 

 

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