To succulent pots, accidentally by the edge of the leaf blade of the small thorns, fingers a little itchy; home children always want to touch the succulent chubby leaves, pets also from time to time to come close to smell -- you can not help but make a muttering: these succulents will not be toxic? In fact, the “toxicity” of succulents is a very delicate topic; some are completely harmless, some pose a hidden “small danger”. Today, we will uncover the truth about whether succulents are toxic, and teach you to distinguish which succulents need to “stay away from”, which can be safely raised, so that you, your family, and pets can enjoy the beauty of succulents with peace of mind.

The “Toxic Truth” About Succulents: Not All Are Dangerous

The toxicity of succulents, like the fact that some plants produce flowers and fruits, is a way for them to protect themselves in nature. Most of the toxicity of succulents is concentrated in the sap. As long as they are not contacted or eaten, they will not cause harm to people; only a few succulents contain irritating substances in their leaves and stalks, which may cause discomfort after contact. Therefore, it cannot be generalized whether the succulent is toxic, can not be generalized; it is specific to the species.

These succulents are “toxic” and require attention when caring for them

 
Sap toxic succulents: possible allergies upon contact

• Representative varieties: unicorn palm, keiki, jade tree, tiger prickly plum, etc. Their sap contains cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, and other substances. Skin contact may appear red, itchy, rash, and other allergic reactions; if accidentally eaten, it will cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. 
  
• Judgment method: Most of these succulents will shed white or transparent sap when the stems and leaves are broken, and the sap has a slight odor, which will cause discomfort to the skin after contact. 
  
• Care suggestions: put it in a place out of reach of children and pets, such as a high trellis; wear gloves when changing pots and pruning to avoid the sap from getting on your skin; if you accidentally come into contact with the sap, rinse it off with water immediately, and seek medical attention if the symptoms are serious.

Spiny and toxic succulents: double “protection”

• Representative species: Certain plants of the cactus family (e.g., cactus, cactus ball) not only have sharp spines that can easily injure people, but the spines or sap of some species also contain slight toxicity, and redness, swelling, and pain may occur after being pricked. 
  
• Judgment method: The stalks are covered with sharp thorns, the thorns are hard, and the sap may ooze out after breaking. 
  
• Care advice: Place in a corner or special cactus potting area, avoiding places where they are frequently walked on; use tweezers or thick gloves as an aid when tending to them to prevent them from being pricked.
  

These succulents are “non-toxic and harmless” and can be raised without fear

• Representative species: Hazel Moon, Winter Beauty, Purple Pearl, Jade Dew, Bearberry, Buddha Pearl, etc. These succulents have full leaves and no irritating sap, so there is no danger even if children or pets occasionally touch or lick them. 
  
• Features: No special sap when the leaves or stalks break, light odor, a “safe choice” for home care. 
  
• Care suggestion: You can put it in a conspicuous place such as a window sill, desk, coffee table, etc., without worrying about the safety. It is very suitable for families with children or pets.

Safe care tips for toxic succulents 

1. Placement: away from “sensitive areas.” 
   Toxic succulents should be placed in high planters, balcony corners, and other places that are not easily accessible, not in bedrooms, children's rooms, living room coffee tables, and other areas where frequent activities or children can easily touch them, to reduce the risk of contact from the location. 
   
2. Taking care of the way: do a good job of “protective measures.” 
   to poisonous succulent pots, pruning, be sure to wear rubber gloves, to avoid direct skin contact with the sap; pruning down the branches, leaves should be cleaned up in a timely manner, do not arbitrarily discard in the children or pets can touch the place; if you need to deal with the broken branches, it is best to use paper towels wrapped and then discarded.
   
3. Emergency treatment: what to do in case of contact or accidental ingestion 
   Skin contact: immediately rinse the contact area with a lot of water. Do not rub your eyes with your hands or touch other parts of your body. If there is redness, swelling, and itching, you can apply anti-allergy ointment, and if the symptoms are serious enough to seek medical attention. 
   Accidental ingestion: Immediately induce vomiting (applicable to the awake state), and send to the hospital as soon as possible. Bring a sample of the accidental ingestion of succulent, so that the doctor can judge the condition.

Suggestions for choosing succulents in different scenarios 

• Families with children: Prioritize “non-toxic + thornless.” 
  Choose non-toxic and thornless succulents such as Hazel Moon, Tamarind, Bearberry, etc., to avoid children from being stabbed or accidentally eaten while playing. You can let your children participate in simple maintenance, such as watering, which develops a sense of responsibility and is safer at the same time. 
  
• Families with pets: avoid “pet-attractive varieties.” 
  Some pets (e.g., cats and dogs) like to gnaw on succulent leaves. To avoid toxic succulents (e.g., tiger prickly plums) with small leaves that are easy to nibble on, you can choose varieties (e.g. aloe vera, yucca) that have hard leaves and are not of interest to pets, or put odors around the pots that pets don't like (e.g. citrus peels) to keep pets away. 
  
• Office environment: balancing “safety + aesthetics” 
  Offices with heavy traffic are suitable for non-toxic, easy-to-care succulents (e.g., purple pearls, Buddha beads), which are placed on desks and window sills to beautify the environment without worrying about discomfort from exposure to coworkers or visitors.

“Safety Tips” when shopping for succulents

• Ask about varieties and characteristics 
  When shopping for succulents, ask the store staff about the toxicity of the varieties and learn about the care precautions, especially if it is the first time you come across the varieties, and don't buy them based on appearance alone. 
  
• Check the care labels 
  The succulents in formal stores will have care labels stating the species, light, and watering requirements, and some toxic varieties will also be labeled with tips such as “sap is poisonous, avoid contact.” So, pay attention to check them when shopping. 
  
• Newbies prioritize “non-toxic varieties.” 
  Newbies who have just started raising succulents are advised to start with non-toxic, easy-to-maintain varieties (e.g., The One Bloom's “Beginner's Succulent Kit”), and try to care for the toxic varieties after they have gained experience. and should not have too many.

Enjoy the beauty of succulents. Safety is a prerequisite

The toxicity of succulents is not scary. As long as you understand the characteristics of the species and take precautions, you can enjoy their unique charm under the premise of safety. The One Bloom not only has a wealth of varieties of succulents, but also provides a detailed description of the characteristics of the species, to help you pick the succulents that are suitable for your own family situation. Whether they are poisonous or non-toxic, all succulents have their own value of existence. The key is that we have to learn to treat them correctly. With the heart to understand, careful maintenance, so that succulents become a beautiful embellishment in life, rather than a safety hazard.