Safety is a top priority in a family household, especially when a baby, toddler or pet is part of it. The choice of houseplants is included in the precautionary measures, because many a poisonous specimen can hide here. Read here about the poison content of a birch fig.
The Ficus Benjamini is easy for humans, highly poisonous for animals
Mildly toxic to children
A Benjamini contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids and furocoumarins. These cause symptoms of poisoning when consumed. While the toxic dose is not reached in an adult due to the bitter taste, a baby or toddler is more at risk. Licking a leaf and putting it in your mouth is enough to trigger the following symptoms:
- nausea
- stomach cramps
- Vomit
- dizziness
- diarrhea
If you suspect that your baby has eaten from the leaves, please consult the pediatrician immediately. Take a few leaves with you as a sample so that the doctor can take the right countermeasures immediately.
Extremely toxic to pets
While the components of a birch fig are classified as mildly toxic to humans, the same is not true for pets. Dogs, cats and rodents suffer from serious symptoms of poisoning and even respiratory paralysis after ingesting even the smallest amounts of leaves.
Therefore, please choose a location out of the reach of animals or opt for a harmless alternative as a houseplant. Never use prickly pear clippings as green fodder for rabbits.
tips
Before pruning a Ficus benjamina, please take precautions against the sticky milky sap. Put on gloves and old clothes because possible stains are almost indelible. Ideally, you cut back a birch fig in the garden to protect work surfaces and floors from irreversible dirt.