Either take a leaf or a small branch and plop it into some water or some damp soil, and then be prepared to wait a few months! The ZZ Plant is considered a Caution, (mildly toxic), plant. Although direct contact with this plant will only cause minor discomfort it should still be avoided. However, it is important to wash your hands directly after touching the plant to ensure that there is no residue or sap that could cause skin irritation, get into your eyes, or unwittingly end up in your mouth. The amount of sap that one would have to ingest would be very significant to cause more than tummy upset. The calcium oxalate crystals are extremely small, and very sharp. The drought-tolerant ZZ plant makes a wonderful addition to low-light situations in homes and offices, but all parts of this plant are poisonous. Shortly, the answer is yes. The zamioculcas zamiifolia (botanical name) grows well in low or bright lighting conditions and with frequent or much less frequent amounts of water. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own. As with all plants, it is vital to learn of the possible risks before bringing a new plant into your home. Such as on a shelf, table (depending on the height), hanging from the ceiling, or any other spots in your home that are out of reach to your children and pets. A pet that comes in contact with a ZZ plant may develop inflammation of the skin, eyes or mucus membranes. Copyright 2021 Gardening Chores, all rights reserved. The plant naturally produces these crystals to function as a form of defense against predators, and to regulate calcium in the plant tissue. Yes, the ZZ plant is mildly poisonous to cats, dogs and humans if directly ingested. In general, the ZZ plant is safe to keep in your home as long as you use the precautions discussed here. It tolerates low levels of light, prolonged dry periods, and neglect. ZZ plants can cause skin and eye irritation with direct contact, and can cause stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Not very poisonous. You can sprinkle some orange peel or coffee grounds onto the soil around your ZZ plant. If you have a ZZ plant, place it well out of reach of small children or in an area of your house they do not have access to. The ZZ plant is an easy to grow and care for indoor plant that displays small glossy leaves on stems which can grow up to 3 ft long indoors. Here is information on untrue rumours spread about the plant. In a 2014 study conducted by the University of Copenhagen they found that the ZZ plant was able to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCâs) such as benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air (source). Just as you have done by reading this article, knowing which of your houseplants is toxic is half the battle. The only thing we can suggest to make sure you do not have any sick pets on your hands is to place the plant up high and unreachable; try using a plant stand to do so to alleviate the stress of your animals getting to it. Check out what a ZZ plant with scale insects looks like. If vomiting occurs, you need to ensure that your pet is well hydrated. While the ZZ plant is a fantastic plant to have because of how easy it is to care for and its benefits to the environment, it also has a reputation for being poisonous. Ingesting the leaves and sap can definitely be toxic to both humans and pets, but simply touching the plant will only cause minor issues at worst. If you have overly curious cats or dogs, perhaps avoid bringing the plant into your home or move it to an area where pets wonât have access to it. Dehydration can cause death in pets. This plant has such a bad reputation as being a house plant poisonous to dogs that itâs listed in the Pet Poison Helplineâs Top Terrible Toxins list. However, it will not seriously harm you or your furry friends. Here are some great choices that are safe for pets. Every part of the ZZ plant is considered poisonous and can cause problems when ingested, such as stomach aches, diarrhea, and vomiting. The likelihood of actually being poisoned by this plant is quite rare. The poisonous principles are found in highest concentrations in the rootstock, then in leaves and stems and then in the ripe fruit. This lovely plant can still be safely kept in your home if you follow a few easy guidelines. This substance makes up your kidney stones, and it has sharp edges. Claims of high poison levels have raised concerns that this plant may be unsafe for your home. Many people have a misconception about just how poisonous the plant actually is though. This means that keeping a ZZ plant will help purify the air and add extra freshness to your home. But most important, neither the ZZ, a Philodendron, an Anthurium and not even the Dieffenbachia (CLICK HERE for our report on "pisang tanah") are poisonous! So obviously, this plant is of no harm to you, but the trick comes in when we need to keep our pets from nibbling on them. When she isn't caring for her plants or writing you can find her traveling, cooking, at live music shows, and spending time in nature. However, not all pets stay on the ground. Pests and Diseases. While this is not strictly necessary, it can be a good idea. Yes, ZZ plants are poisonous to both humans and pets. ZZ plant is poisonous to pets and humans. The best thing to do is to ensure that you stay hydrated while the poison leaves your system. In the case of notoriously curious cats, who seem to believe no place is off bounds, you can use different deterrents to keep them at bay. The toxicity of this plant is derived from the calcium oxalate crystals located in the sap. While the ZZ plant is a good Feng Shui plant, it also has a bad name for being poisonous. As long as you do not directly ingest a ZZ plant the worst you could expect is minor skin irritation, but even that is very easy to avoid. What makes the plant poisonous is its unique composition. However, it is important you are aware of the possible risks presented by owning a ZZ plant and make an informed decision that is best for your situation. When white spider-net-like structures form below the leaves, this suggests a spider mite infestation. You can expect your dog or cat to have a stomach ache and a bad case of diarrhea. At this point you may be halfway out the door to go get your very own ZZ plant, but before you do letâs dive into some important topics that all ZZ plant owners should be aware of. Use a soft cloth to wipe out the mouth and wash your hands. Actually, not long ago there was all this rage over this plant being a generator of wealth and fortune and people were buying them to decorate their homes and gardens. Remove any plant material still in their mouth. In the rare circumstances that you, your child, or someone you know eats this plant here is what you could expect: Usually people will spit out the plant due to the painful sensations, but if swallowed the following symptoms are likely: The Childrenâs Hospital of Philadelphia notes that, âwith most of these plants, [including the ZZ plant,] vomiting and diarrhea are mild and should last only a few hours. ZZ Plant Propagation. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Exposure to the plant can also cause minor skin and eye irritation. For those with children or pets, it is important to find a good place to put your ZZ plant that is out of reach to them. If you really want to be completely safe, there is always the option of swapping your ZZ plant for a non-toxic alternative. This is what causes skin irritation on contact with the sap and can cause irritation of the internal tissues if ingested. However, although it purifies the air, every lil bit of it is poisonous. Ingesting small quantities of these plants should not cause any symptoms. The ZZ Plant, whoâs actual name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is pretty popular with plant parents everywhere, both beginner and advanced.Itâs typically dubbed a âplant of steelâ which basically means itâs hard to kill and resilient to overwatering, accidental dropping, ignoring, verbal mocking, and dungeon lighting. From its undemanding standards, to its ability to purify the air, there is no shortage of appealing qualities that this plant has to offer. In fact, the ZZ plant is so mildly poisonous that it functions closer to an irritant than a true poison. A few years ago, there was quite a bit of false information out there on ZZ plants. Is a ZZ plant poisonous? Both dogs, and especially cats, have great skills in getting to hard to reach areas of your home when they want to, so putting your ZZ plant out of reach isn’t always possible. Even though the symptoms are quite minor it is still best to avoid exposure in the first place. Here is my story: I have two dogs; an 11. Itâs relatively easy to propagate from cuttings of your zz plant, just be aware that it takes a while for cuttings to root. Touching your eyes after handling a ZZ plant can also cause discomfort and irritation. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is part of the family Araceae, which includes many poisonous genera, such as Philodendron, which contains calcium oxalate. This plant was in-fact considered extremely poisonous and to be handled with gloves. Also, keep the plant away from kids or pets to prevent them from chewing on the leaves. Which is a great attribute to have in the wild because any animal that may come across the ZZ plant thinking it would make a tasty snack will quickly learn their lesson in one bite. Toxic Properties : ⦠If you notice these symptoms in yourself, your loved ones, and/or your pets itâs important to know how to treat them. Plus, they had a rough day and deserve a little treat! Please log in again. If you donât want to be tied down by a high maintenance houseplant but desire something lusher and more appealing than a cactus, this may be the perfect plant for you! Most outbound links are affiliate links - we may receive commission. Similar to humans, if your petsâ bare skin, mucus membranes, or eyes are exposed to the crystal containing sap of this plant you could expect temporary irritation and discomfort. ZZ plants can cause skin and eye irritation with direct contact, and can cause stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. It is a poisonous plant, but it is not a fatal poison. The ZZ plant is a member of the Arum family. Some people may be wondering why anyone would even bother keeping a ZZ plant considering it has potential risks to people and pets. Here are some great choices that are safe for pets. The ZZ plant is very seldom seen to suffer from pests or disease. You can also spray your ZZ plant with a dilute vinegar solution which will deter all but the most persistent of pets. Other names include eternity plant, aroid palm, Zanzibar gem and my personal favorite, the emerald palm. Do not panic! As a result, it made its way into the houses of beginner and advanced gardeners alike. This seems to be the consensus throughout the professional and scientific world. If you have small children, their safety in your home is paramount. While a ZZ plant can bring about allergies if humans come into contact with its sap, what happens if a pet eats part of the ZZ plant? These sharp crystals are what cause burning sensations when the sap is consumed or exposed to bare skin. I mention this because some people talk about the ZZ Plant as if it will kill you if you look at it the wrong way. Small crystals in the sap may cause rashes on skin where touched. The plantâs sap can even cause skin irritation when handled without protective gloves. Due to the sharp crystals, exposing bare skin to this plant will result in skin irritation and the possibility of a minor rash. It grows best when watered once every 7 to 14 days but can survive up to 4 months without water! Are ZZ plants poisonous? As long as you keep it out of direct sunlight your plant will be happy to flourish for you. It can be toxic to humans or pets if not handled properly, so exercise extra caution if you plan to place it at home or office. I am sure that many of you out there would have received emails about the ZZ plant below being poisonous. So, is the ZZ plant actually poisonous? 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