Where a delicious window leaf feels at home in the optimal location, it gives its gardener a decorative flower that turns into a tasty fruit. Nevertheless, the assignment of a Monstera deliciosa to the plant family of the poisonous arum family causes headaches. You can find out here how the toxin content of the ornamental foliage plant actually is.
Everything about the Monstera Deliciosa is poisonous - except the fruit
Toxic in all parts with one exception
A delicious window leaf is permeated with various calcium oxalate crystals and salts of oxalic acid. If these toxins enter the human organism in higher concentrations, typical symptoms of poisoning appear. Nausea, vomiting and cramps occur, especially in children. The sap can also cause skin rashes. Here are some things to keep in mind when cultivating:
- Keep Monstera deliciosa out of the reach of children
- Do not eat leaves, shoots, roots or flowers
- Wear gloves during maintenance work to avoid skin contact with the poisonous plant sap
These concerns, however, do not apply to the edible fruit from which a Dainty Monstera owes its name. The ripe fruit is also known as pineapple banana because its sour taste is reminiscent of the exotic fruit.
Be careful with dogs and cats
A Dainty Window Leaf and pets should not share an apartment. The ingredients are not only harmful to human health. Symptoms of poisoning are inevitable when dogs and cats nibble on the mighty leaves. Difficulty swallowing, staggering, vomiting and diarrhea are common. Therefore, fallen leaves should never be used as green fodder for rabbits.
tips
With their aerial roots, Monstera act as a natural cleaning aid in the aquarium by climbing into the water. The long root strands remove nitrate and nitrite, which are poisonous to fish, from the water in order to use these substances as food.