Houseplants have many benefits, but not all of them are safe. For example, this maid looks stunning, but she is not allowed in the apartment with dogs or children. Take a look.
Houseplants have an incredible number of benefits for your home. They improve air quality, increase energy, help the psyche and reduce stress, and they can shine through beautifully and brighten up a room aesthetically. But not all houseplants are safe and risk-free. In certain cases, it is important not to be fooled by the beauty of the plant and to think about the other members of the household, especially the smallest ones.
You can find a YouTube video on how to grow diefenbachia on the Honzík Lací channel:
Diefenbachia and danger
From an early age, children are taught that a book should not be judged by its cover. Just because something looks pretty doesn’t mean it’s good for you and doesn’t come with any risks. And diefenbachia is a prime example of this. Although this houseplant is truly beautiful and a very impressive plant whose decorative, patterned leaves stand out in any room, it needs to be handled with care and really considered if it fits into your home.
Although this plant is beautiful and its presence can quickly revive even the dreariest interior, it is also . Diefenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals in its sap, which is an insoluble calcium salt of oxalic acidwhich poses a risk especially in connection with the formation of kidney stones and acute irritation of the mucous membranes upon ingestion. In contact with the eyes, mouth or skin, it can also cause severe irritation.
If someone eats or starts chewing any part of the plant, the consequences are really unpleasant. Typical symptoms include severe burning in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and lips, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, and in some cases difficulty breathing.
Diefenbachia and contact with humans and animals
Experts warn that this plant should definitely not get near children or pets. In four-legged friends, painful and significant irritation of the mouth, drooling and constant licking of the mouth may occur after ingestion. For an adult, the contact can be very unpleasant, but it is still recommended to wear gloves during transplanting and cutting. However, children and animals are much more sensitive and contact with diefenbachia can be risky and dangerous. If children or animals roam freely in your household, it is definitely not recommended to get this plant.
