The water lily, which is also known as the water iris, swamp iris and Iris pseudacorus, is a popular garden pond plant. With its white to yellow flowers, it brings color to dull bank areas. But pet owners should be careful!
Are water lilies poisonous to animals?
The water lily (Iris pseudacorus) is poisonous to animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and grazing livestock because all parts of the plant, especially the rhizomes, contain toxins. There is usually no danger to humans, but skin irritation can occur.
Poisonous in all parts of plants
The water lily is poisonous in all parts of the plant. The rhizomes stand out - they are full of toxins. In a small dosage, these have a healing effect. Therefore, the water lily was and is used for medicinal purposes.
But animals should stay away from this bright yellow blooming beauty. While it is harmless to humans because it cannot be confused with other plants, it poses a danger to animals such as:
- Cats
- Dogs
- Rabbit
- Guinea pig
- Grazing cattle
Tips & Tricks
If you have the water lily in the garden, it is best to put your hands in gardening gloves (€9.00 on Amazon) before handling it. It may cause skin irritation in some people.