You went to the hardware store or garden center and found what you were looking for there, or perhaps you received an offshoot from a friend as a gift. Anyone who owns the Schefflera will not want to give it away anytime soon. But is it completely harmless?
All parts of the schefflera are poisonous
Oxalate crystals make them poisonous
The plant, also known as radiant aralie, belongs to the Araliaceae family and is poisonous in all parts. Since it rarely forms flowers and fruits with seeds, the leaves and shoots are of particular importance. These are also poisonous. They contain oxalate crystals.
These toxic substances, which can be irritating if they come into contact with the skin, have the following effects on the body when consumed:
- irritating to the mucous membranes
- diarrhea
- Vomit
- nausea
- slackness
- Gastrointestinal Pain
- loss of appetite
Put out of reach
If you have pets or small children, you should place your schefflera where children and pets cannot access or reach the plant. It is not only toxic to humans but also to animals such as cats. Good locations are, for example, on cupboards or in a traffic light hanging from the ceiling.
Do not panic in care, but caution is advised!
However, the poison cocktail is no reason to panic in contact with this houseplant! If you are one of those sensitive people who react quickly to stimuli, it is better to wear gloves when tending the plant directly and especially when cutting it!
tips
Although the aralia is poisonous, it is a 1A air purifier. With its leaves, it filters pollutants such as cigarette smoke and formaldehyde from the air.