The frankincense plant (botanical Plectranthus) - not to be confused with the frankincense tree (Boswellia) is one of the non-toxic ornamental plants. However, since the smell indicates a high concentration of essential oils, frankincense plants are not suitable for consumption.
The frankincense plant should not be eaten
The frankincense plant is not poisonous
The frankincense plant does not contain any toxins, so it is classified as non-toxic to humans or animals. Nevertheless, you should refrain from eating the shoots, as the plant contains a lot of essential oils that can possibly lead to nausea.
You can safely keep frankincense plants on the balcony or even as a houseplant if you don't mind the strong smell. It cannot be ruled out that cats in particular do not like the smell. Therefore, only grow frankincense plants if all human and animal inhabitants can handle it.
Frankincense plants are not hardy
Frankincense plants are usually only kept once a year because they are not hardy. They must be overwintered indoors. Finding a good place for it is not easy. It must be light and cool, but free of frost.
Unfortunately, the frankincense plant also exudes its typical smell during the winter. If you or your pets are very sensitive to smells, you should avoid frankincense plants altogether. As an alternative, only grow them once a year so that there is no odor nuisance in the house during the winter.
tips
Some varieties of the frankincense plant give off such a strong smell of incense that they are planted as a so-called "piss off plant" on property lines. They should keep animals away from the garden. While some gardeners swear by this measure, others are convinced of its uselessness.