Archive for March, 2007
Toxic Common House Plants
Elephant’s Ear { Alocasia species } Leaves and stem
Angel Wings, Mother-in-law plant, { Caladium bicolor } Entire plant
Calla Lily { Zantedeschia aethiopica } Leaves
Candelabra Cactus { Euphorbia lactea } Leaves, stem, sap
Dumb Cane { Diffenbachia species } Leaves
Pothos, Ivy, Taro vine { Epipremnum aureum } Entire plant
Snow on the Mountain { E. marginata } Leaves, stem, sap
Poinsettia { E. pulcherrima } Leaves, stem, sap
Orchid { Cypripedium species }
Jerusalem Cherry { Solanum seudocapsicum } Entire plant
Philodendron { Philodendron Species } Leaves
Christmas rose { Helleborus niger } Entire plant
Easter Lily { Lilium longiflorum }
Peace Lily { Spathiphyllum species }
Rubber Tree { Ficus species }
Umbrella Tree { Schefflera actinophylla, Brassia actinophylla }
US Army Website on Toxic Plants
Cornell University, Poisonous Plants DB – extensive list
Utah Poison Control Center
Plants that are toxic to house pets, Humane Society
How much water is too little?
Every plant is different. They are each in different rooms, households, pots and soils. It is impossible to give firm rules.
Some plants are bog plants and want a pot sitting in water, some are desert plants and want only occasional watering. Most fall in between the two.
Symptoms of a watering problem – too much or too little include:
Leaves drop all at once
Leaves drop slowly beginning with oldest leaves
New leaves are smaller in size than older leaves
Leaf tips are brown
Leaves have brown spots
Plant wilts
Little to no new growth on the plant
Symptoms specific to under watering your plant:
Leafs curl down
Accordion type creases appear in leaves ( especially on orchids )
Vertical splits appear on leaves
Thick leaved plants have wrinkles in the leaves
Pseudo bulb is wrinkled ( on orchids )
Ok so the plant is dying of thirst. Not a big deal, most will bounce right back with proper watering.
Now find out just how much watering that particular plant would like. Check it by putting a finger in the soil. Do not water by a schedule.
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