Neither easy to care for nor harmless to humans and animals, the Clivia is not equally suitable for every household. But if you don't have children or pets, then you'll find an extremely attractive houseplant here.
Is the clivia poisonous to people and animals?
The Clivia is a poisonous houseplant that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and increased salivation if contacted or consumed. They can cause skin irritation and are dangerous for children, pets and sensitive people.
The alkaloids contained in Clivia lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation and sweating when consumed. In the worst case, paralysis and kidney damage can even occur. Pets such as dogs and cats react to the Clivia in a similar way to humans. If the animals are poisoned, it is best to take them to the vet immediately.
Touching is also not safe for sensitive people; it can cause skin irritation. It is best to wear gloves when repotting or dividing the plant (€9.00 on Amazon) so that you do not come into contact with the plant sap and avoid a reaction. Water and fertilize your clivia carefully to keep the risk to a minimum.
Choose the right location
If you want to have a clivia despite its toxicity, then be sure to give it a suitable place. The plant should be kept out of the reach of running children and curious pets, even if they may rarely visit. Bright, but not too warm, that's how the decorative Clivia likes it best. A window facing east or west is very suitable, but a south window is less suitable.
The most important things in brief:
- contains alkaloids
- toxic to humans and animals
- Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sweating, increased salivation, diarrhea, in the worst case kidney damage and paralysis
- causes skin irritation
Tip
If you have small children or a pet, you should look for another houseplant, clivias can cause severe symptoms.
