While, for example, the fruits of the yew tree in the garden can easily be eaten by songbirds and the poisonous seeds can be excreted undigested, these can sometimes have fatal consequences if accidentally consumed by humans. A central question for many garden and house plants is whether they are specifically poisonous to humans or their pets.
Is the porcelain flower poisonous to humans?
The toxicity of the porcelain flower (genus Hoya) is not clearly established, as some sources describe it as non-toxic, while toxicological institutes warn of toxic levels. When in doubt, exercise caution and choose non-toxic alternatives.
The wax flower: poisonous or not?
The question about the toxicity of the Hoya genus cannot be answered clearly with a yes or no: Although some lists show the plant as a supposedly non-toxic houseplant recommended for cats, toxicological institutes warn about the toxic content of some species wax flower. In addition, the subspecies of the “Hoya” genus from the tropics of Asia and Australia, which is usually referred to as the wax flower or porcelain flower, cannot always be easily distinguished from one another. If in doubt, you should treat such plants with similar caution as is recommended for other (almost ubiquitous) poisonous plants such as yew, arborvitae and ivy.
When in doubt, choose non-toxic alternatives
Often, even indoor cats won't even go near slightly poisonous houseplants if they are offered an appropriate alternative in the form of a pot full of cat grass. Out of concern for the safety of pets or small children, the wax flower should be avoided in the house if its toxicological classification cannot be clarified beyond doubt. Non-toxic indoor alternatives include:
- Green Lily
- Jasmine
- Lemon tree
- Date palm
Tip
Normal handling of the wax flower by adults or teenagers who have been properly informed about poisonous plants and their effects is usually unproblematic and does not lead to any symptoms of poisoning when simply touched.