Danger to Pets. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia) comes in many varieties, and is an excellent vining plant. Care info: Perfect for the low-light area in your home that seems to kill most plants.The less light it receives, the slower it will grow. Coleus contains an essential oil toxic to cats and dogs, which can cause skin irritations and burns if not diagnosed and treated right away. What about a Philodendron plant? This could be due to several reasons. We've had to go through them and evaluate safe/unsafe and remove/leave on each of them. Regularly trim plants and clean up leaves, stems, and other debris to prevent choking or ingestion. This plant will vine and spread uncontrollably if it's left untrimmed. The most common pests to infect coleus plants are aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs. TIP: The unpleasant odor of Coleus Canina is an effective deterrent for keeping animals away from vegetable gardens. Here's the link: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-contro... And my neighbors have 2 jade plants, both over 3 feet tall. House plants have many names, and some are misleading. It’s mostly undetectable to people, but dogs and cats tend to avoid it. Plant in a container to move around to problem areas. This makes it easy to expand your plant collection. Add a few cuttings to outdoor containers for a lovely cascading addition to your flower beds. There's a variety of house plants that are safe for cats, both blooming and green plants. Thanks for sharing this useful information. 3 people found this helpful. Strong aroma that repels most cats and dogs. Jade plants can also be used for bonsai. If pets experience skin allergies, plants may have to be moved to a pet-free area or traded for a plant that doesn't produce a negative reaction. Under optimum conditions, certain species of the jade plant can grow close to 6 feet tall. Safe for children? Comment Report abuse. The plants contain an essential oil that can cause moderate to severe digestive problems when consumed. Here are some of the most common plants poisonous to cats with mild symptoms: Philodendron , Pothos , Dieffenbachia , Peace lily , Poinsettia – Whether it comes from chewing on or ingesting the plants, all of these can lead to mouth and throat irritation, drooling and … This website is DANGEROUSLY wrong for animals. thank you so much for this informative and non-confusing article! There are even variegated varieties. With so many cat-safe plants out there, there’s no reason to risk your kitty’s life by planting a potentially dangerous type.Below are plants that you should avoid at all costs. CFA: Plants and Your Cat African violets are also rich with historic significance and symbolism. The Coleus is poisonous for both cats and dogs. Safe for children? I learned a lot from this. Read more. If you choose to grow coleus for more than one season, you might consider trimming the plant back after … While scaredy cat coleus does have a distinctive skunk smell, which is worse when someone brushes … When kept as a houseplant, I water them well once a week. Anything to keep these angels safe in our homes. “Coleus canina, commonly known as Scaredy Cat plant, is a potable leafy plant that cats find offensive and makes a great buffer around other plants that your cat may find more desirable,” Dr. Kerri Marshall, Chief Veterinary Officer for Trupanion tells HGTVGardens. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Like dogs, cats are curious by nature and will occasionally get themselves into trouble on account of this. Some children may have allergic reactions to certain plants. A plant that isn't necessarily dangerous to eat might still cause a child or pet with sensitive skin to have a bad reaction. On the contrary, you only want such cats to be in certain areas of the home rather than others. Yes, coleus is safe for humans. For more extensive lists of plants poisonous to cats, please visit: A rose is still a good choice if you have big south-facing windows, and plenty of extra time to devote to pampering it. Even if someone calls a plant by one name, take the time to do research and be sure of the kind of plant you have. Brand: Fragrant Fields Herbs & Perennials. This plant also grows well outdoors. However, the health benefits of having house plants outweigh the risks as long as you choose your plants with care and establish a few household rules regarding the foliage. It’s easy to overwater, though, so take care. Plectranthus caninus is an herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to east Africa and southern Asia. Legend has it that this plant smells so bad that it will repel cats, dogs, rabbits, and any other small mammal that might otherwise get into the garden and eat the plants. Although usually planted outdoors, with proper light and food, a coleus plant can make a great addition to your collection of house plants. Here are some safer alternatives that can still provide you with lovely, living décor. Wandering Jew can make the backyard an unpleasant place for dogs. They are a favorite plant among cats who love to nibble at and play with the long fronds. You can share cuttings with anyone who wishes to build up their house plant collection. These plants are also known as "Thanksgiving Cactus" and "Holiday Cactus.". The essential oils found in the plant’s foliage are toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. It is an excellent air-purifying plant. If dogs or cats have access to the plant, consider cultivating Coleus Canina. Best of all, it’s safe for your kitty to be around. Spider Plant. I bought two plants for a planter on the ground and one more to put in a separate pot next to them. Just remember that even a non-toxic plant (including grass) can make a pet appear sick if they eat too much. Bamboo is highly toxic to cats, avoid especially the “lucky bamboo” sold in stores. Take your cat to the vet, along with the plant (if possible) as soon as you can. Blooming plants such as the African violet, African daisy, and orchids won't harm your cat if she takes a bite. Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on June 15, 2013: My mother had a number of these plants around the house when i was young, and we grew coleus regularly in the summer outdoors. It also puts out "vines" or "legs," making it a lovely selection for a hanging basket. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. However, some people have been lucky using regular lighting too. Please correct your list so animals are not harmed by misinformation. ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats, Toxic Plants To Dogs - Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Peace Lily And Cats: Learn About The Toxicity Of Peace Lily Plants, Toxic Garden Plants – Learn About Poisonous Garden Plants To Look Out For, Garden Inside During Winter: How To Plant An Indoor Winter Garden, Growing Food For Christmas: How To Grow Christmas Dinner, Boxwood Wreath Ideas: Tips For Making Boxwood Wreaths, Do Sago Palms Flower: Identifying Flowering Sago Palms, Rain Garden Instructions: What Is A Rain Garden And Rain Garden Plants, How To Propagate Coleus From Seed Or Cuttings, Toxic Plants To Dogs – Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Typical symptoms include anorexia, bloody diarrhea, body tremor, depression, skin redness, and vomiting. Very useful and voted up! They may experience vomiting or diarrhea, but the the ingestion of non-toxic plants will not be fatal. This is not a toxic reaction. Coleus Canina -"Dogs Gone" -"Cats Gone" - Live Plant! This plant is mildly toxic for humans, so be careful if you have children. FlourishAnyway from USA on June 13, 2013: Good information. 10 plants that are toxic to both children and pets, Gardening With Kids—Fun Plants and Ideas for Children. I knew someone who made the mistake of throwing the cuttings in their compost heap. Pets may avoid this plant because it tastes bitter. This is the one drawback to coleus plants: they are dangerous to pets and can trigger mild skin reactions in some people. Such as Jade on this pin. As others have noted, wandering jew is also toxic to cats and dogs. Growing Coleus indoors My coleus plants do well in about an 8" pot size, though you can certainly start smaller. These plants root easily from cuttings or from just touching the ground. They are associated with motherhood, and they are often given as Mother's Day gifts. The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the top recommended plants for all homes. Although the coleus will bloom beautifully, they are usually selected as house plants because of their vibrant leaves. If roses aren't your thing, consider the Wandering Jew (Tradescantia). The scaredy cat plant, or Coleus canina, is one of many examples of gardener’s traditions and tales that aren’t always exactly true. Also, keep in mind that symptoms will vary from cat to cat, depending on their size and the parts or quantities of the plant ingested. Birds Nest Fern(Asplenium Nidus) Many people ask “are ferns toxic to cats”, well this one isn’t! have a great day! Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on September 10, 2016: It is a very useful and informative hub. If you have toxic plants, consider participating in a plant swap with a friend who may have pet- or child-safe plants, but doesn't have pets or children. Always make sure your plant is properly identified. wikimedia commons CC-BY-SA 3.0 - There are two kinds of gardeners in the world. You really only have to buy one or two plants before their leaves provide you with a whole collection of violets. The Jade plant is toxic according to ASPCA. Toxic to: Cats, dogs. These include: Severely toxic plants can include any of the following: With any of these above severely poisonous plants for cats, don’t wait for major symptoms to appear. Teach children which plants can be touched from an early age. Rosemary can also be used for bonsai. much needed! They grow rapidly in the spring, but many people don't overwinter them, so they never bother repotting the plant. Plants can: In another article, I listed 10 plants that are toxic to both children and pets. These plants can be grown from seeds, or they can be propagated from a plant owned by a friend. fanghong via wikimedia commons CC-BY-SA 3.0. Jade plants can be easily propagated by placing a trimmed stem in water until roots form. Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on August 01, 2015: Jaymie, this was another excellent hub from you. Although coleus (Solnostemon) is more commonly regarded as a colorful annual for flower gardens and borders, it can be easily grown indoors as well.Although the coleus will bloom beautifully, they are usually selected as house plants because of … Rosemary is non-toxic, and be grown in containers. This might make it less desirable to someone with limited space, but most of the jade plants I have seen ended up being about 1 foot tall. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) has a scary name, but it poses no threat to other living beings. Some species only lose some of their leaves (they're partially deciduous), so if conditions are right, you could retain some foliage. The University of Nebraska lists the Boston fern as non-toxic to humans as well. Symptoms: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea (large quantities can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias) Note: The bulbs are the most poisonous part of this plant. Melissa A Smith from New York on June 12, 2013: This is useful information Sharkye11, thanks. Select your house plants carefully and place them out of reach so pets and children stay safe. It can quickly become invasive too. Wandering Jew will take root wherever it falls, whether that's in another pot, a glass of water, or in your yard. She had been a feral kitty who lived in a factory environment and now is happily indoor only. Caring for Coleus in the Winter. I never had a problem with house plants and my cats until my last cat, Stella, was introduced to our household. This makes the African violet a little trickier to grow than many other types of house plants. Parsley (may cause digestive upset in large quantities, but it is not fatal). The name was created for marketing purposes. Although coleus (Solnostemon) is more commonly regarded as a colorful annual for flower gardens and borders, it can be easily grown indoors as well. one list said catnip was toxic and another said was ok. Also orchids were listed both ways. She is so worth it. Coleus is a perennial succulent herbal plant in Africa that has been cultivated as a houseplant for use in the United States. However, cats and dogs do love the taste of the spider plant, and sometimes they will eat enough to make them sick. This plant smells of dog … They are kept for their wonderful ornamental foliage, which comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep large, heavy pots in a stable location so they cannot be tipped over. A coleus houseplant is usually trouble-free, but watch for damage caused by spider mites, which are especially prevalent in dry indoor air. They were first brought to England in the 19th century, from Java, by Karl Ludwig Blume. Give some weak compost tea about once a month in winter, twice a month in the growing season. The violets can be propagated from leaf cuttings, and they root rather quickly. Unlike other plants, they bloom from November through January, and they can bring a lot of color to homes during winter. This will take the question out of houseplants for pets and children now. Thanks for sharing. ?good information. Are they dangerous to pets? Species in the Coleus genus are native to tropical and subtropical regions from southeast Asia to Australia, and are naturalized in many other tropical regions. As long as you practice plant safety and choose suitable non-toxic plants, everyone can enjoy your house plants. It can save lives! Yes, coleus is safe for humans. This plant is as hearty as it is decorative. I think because plants are such strange things to her she tries to eat them all. Nonetheless, you should always be aware of toxic plants to cats in order to prevent any future issues in and around the home so you can keep your feline friends healthy and safe. Artist, blogger, freelance writer. This plant is non-toxic, and its fronds do not have stickers. I am pinning safe plants for my fur babies and double checking the plants on the ASPCA Poison list and I am finding that several plants that people say are safe are actually on the toxic list. Cats who eat toxic coleus plants can experience diarrhea and vomiting. Unfortunately for dog lovers, the ASPCA lists wandering Jew as toxic due to its tendency to cause dermatitis or allergies in dogs. Thank you for the post, but i just read that Jade plant is toxic. Safe for cats and dogs? Jade Plant is HIGHLY TOXIC to cats and dogs. feature colorful foliage in shades green, yellow, pink, red, purple and cream. Scaredy cat plant – plectranthus caninus (coleus canina) Don’t take the name as gospel. Sign up for our newsletter. Some readers and friends asked me to write a list of safe plants to use instead. Chester Ng. Unfortunately, they can be very difficult for some people to grow. They can be moved to semi-shady locations outside during the summer, but they are not as heat and drought-tolerant as other cacti. I have no small children, however, my son (31) has a dog and I have cats. I would buy them again. I'm reading some of these comments..and I don't know what article you guys are reading..but, this article stats that Wandering Jews,Jade and Coleus are ALL toxic for animals.. Can you please update the title of this article to “A Random Mix of Toxic and Non-Toxic House Plants for Children, Cats, and Dogs” Thanks a bunch! 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