In this country, the plant species Impatiens walleriana is referred to as busy lizard or noble lizard because it blooms particularly persistently. Since the attractive balcony and garden flowers sometimes encourage people to pick off the flowers and the popping seed capsules to touch them, the question of possible potential danger in relation to children and pets is certainly justified.
Is Busy Lieschen poisonous to people and pets?
The Busy Lieschen is non-toxic and harmless to humans. No toxic effect has been proven in pets such as cats and dogs, but excessive consumption can cause gastroenteritis in cats.
The busy Lieschen in the house and garden
Due to its uncomplicated location requirements, the busy Lieschen can generally be planted in the following locations:
- in the garden bed
- on the balcony
- in the house
This plant is often grown indoors from seeds or propagated from cuttings. Some hobby gardeners don't buy new plants every year, but rather overwinter the hard-working Lieschen in the house. None of the locations listed pose a risk to children as the plants are non-toxic and therefore harmless to humans.
Hard-working Lieschen and pets
Sometimes people warn against the busy Lieschen in relation to pets and assume that it has a toxic effect on cats and dogs. However, this cannot be proven toxicologically. If consumed excessively by cats, at most gastroenteritis can occur.
Tip
So that curious indoor cats don't pounce on your busy Lieschen on the windowsill, you can offer an attractive alternative with a pot full of cat grass or plant the busy Lieschen in a hanging basket hanging from the ceiling on the balcony.
