In some lists of non-poisonous houseplants, the porcelain flower is listed as a non-poisonous plant. However, this does not necessarily apply to all species, especially since distinguishing between different subspecies is often very difficult.
Is the porcelain flower poisonous?
The porcelain flower, also known as wax flower, is not non-toxic in all species. Some subspecies contain toxins that can cause symptoms of poisoning when taken orally. It is advisable to place the plant out of the reach of small children and pets.
Poisonous plants can be found everywhere
Basically, the toxicity of plants is not necessarily an exclusion criterion for cultivation in the garden or on the windowsill. Many subspecies of the “Hoya” genus, known in this country as wax flowers or porcelain flowers, also contain certain toxins in all parts of the plant, the ingestion of which can lead to various symptoms of poisoning. The following plants, for example, which can be found in almost every neighborhood, are also poisonous:
- larkspur
- Tree of Life
- Pfaffenhütchen
- Ivy
- Yew
However, only some poisonous plants cause skin irritation when touched; most only cause symptoms of poisoning when taken orally.
When in doubt, protect small children and pets from poisonous plants
If pets or crawling small children are sometimes unattended in your home, the wax flower should at least be placed out of their reach.
Tip
Since the more or less poisonous types of wax flowers cannot be easily distinguished by laypeople, a certain degree of caution is advisable when setting up and caring for the not entirely non-poisonous plants.