If you’re looking for a hardy low-light houseplant, the ZZ plant (or Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a good option. However, you may be wondering if ZZ plants are poisonous and safe for your family and pets.
Is a ZZ plant poisonous? Yes, ZZ plants are toxic to humans and pets. ZZ plants can cause skin and eye irritation by direct contact and can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. However, with a few simple precautions, you can safely share your home with a ZZ plant.
A few years ago there was a lot of misinformation about ZZ factories. Many people believed the plant was so poisonous it could cause cancer and the only way to handle it safely was to wear gloves. It’s not true.
Read on to learn more about ZZ plant toxicity and how to handle and care for it safely.
How toxic are Zamioculcus Zamiifolia plants?
Your ZZ plant belongs to a family of poisonous plants, the Araceae family. However, many people have a misconception about the actual toxicity of the plant.
Ingesting the leaves and sap can certainly be toxic to humans and pets, but simply touching the plant will cause only minor problems at worst. However, it is important to wash your hands immediately after touching the plant to ensure that no residue or sap remains which could cause skin irritation, come into contact with the eyes or accidentally end up in the stuffy.
Some think you should wear gloves when handling a ZZ plant. Although not strictly necessary, it can be a good idea.
What makes the ZZ plant poisonous?
The plant actually produces the same substance that human kidney stones are made of, calcium oxalate. This fabric has a crystal shape with sharp edges. This causes skin irritation upon contact with the sap and can cause irritation to internal tissues if ingested.
Can a ZZ factory kill you?
Although all parts of the ZZ plant produce calcium oxalate, it is unlikely that you can die from it. The amount of juice a person would have to ingest would be very important to cause more than a stomach ache. Most people and pets who come into contact with the plant experience only allergy symptoms.
Certain parts of the human body are very sensitive to calcium oxalate, such as the skin and mucous membranes. If you or a child ingests any part of the plant, you can expect abdominal pain, possible diarrhea, and possibly vomiting. The best thing you can do is make sure you stay hydrated while the poison drains out of your system.
Are ZZ plants toxic to dogs, cats and other pets?
While a ZZ plant can cause allergies if people come into contact with the sap, what happens if a pet eats part of the ZZ plant? Many people think that because their cats and dogs are smaller than them, the ZZ plant may have more impact.
The truth is, ZZ plants are poisonous, but not lethal to pets. An animal that comes into contact with a ZZ plant may develop inflammation of the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.
If your pet eats part of a ZZ Plant, they will feel some discomfort, but they should be fine in the end. You can expect your dog or cat to have abdominal pain and severe diarrhea. If vomiting occurs, make sure your pet is well hydrated.
Dehydration can lead to death in pets. Encouraging your pet to eat allows the body to eliminate the plant and the toxins. If you have overly curious dogs or cats, you may not be able to bring the plant into your home or move it to an area where pets can’t get to it.
How to grow a ZZ plant safely?
ZZ plants are very popular beautiful houseplants and most people can keep them safely in their home, even around pets and children. There are some important steps you can take to ensure your ZZ installation is safe for everyone in your home.
Learn more about the toxicity of your plants
Just like you did while reading this article, knowing which of your houseplants are poisonous is half the battle. Knowing which are safe and which are not will help you take the proper precautions.
Keep your ZZ plant out of reach of children
If you have young children, their safety in your home is of utmost importance. If you have a ZZ plant, place it out of the reach of young children or in an area of your home where they cannot reach it.
Older children can be educated about the toxicity of your ZZ Plant, but you should test their understanding and obedience individually before trusting them to be anywhere near a ZZ Plant.
Use deterrents to keep pets away
Dogs, and especially cats, have great abilities to get into hard-to-reach areas of your home whenever they want, so it’s not always possible to get your ZZ plant out of reach. However, a few simple deterrents can reduce their interest in your ZZ plant.
You can sprinkle orange peel or coffee grounds on the soil around your ZZ plant. Dogs and cats do not like the strong odors that are produced and often stay away.
You can also spray your ZZ plant with a dilute vinegar solution which will deter all but the most stubborn pets.
Change your ZZ plant to a non-toxic plant
If you really want to be completely safe, there is always the option of replacing your ZZ plant with a non-toxic alternative. Here are some great options that are safe for pets.