A dragon tree can be found in almost every household. But the rumor often circulates that it is poisonous. Is that true?
The dragon tree (Dracaena) is a popular houseplant that has found its way into many households. Despite its ubiquity, the dragon tree is said to be poisonous to both humans and animals. We'll find out if there's any truth to this rumor or if it's just a fairy tale.
Dragon tree: Poisonous for children and adults?
Like most other plants, the dragon tree contains saponins. Saponins are phytochemicals that we consume every day, be it through tomatoes, lettuce, peas or spinach. We don't feel any he alth problems because the saponins are only contained in relatively small amounts.
However, the red sap of the dragon tree contains such a high concentration of saponins that caution is called for. For adults in a stable state of he alth there is no great danger as long as no large amounts of leaves or other parts of the plant are consumed. Ingestion (whether intentional or not) is made difficult anyway by the extremely bitter taste, further reducing the risk for adults.
However, small children are at greater risk. Their sense of taste is not yet fully developed and therefore there is not such a great inhibition threshold as in adults. In addition, the oral intake of the dragon tree plant parts leads to symptoms more quickly due to the lower body weight of the little ones. The overdose of saponins can lead to vomiting, increased salivation, nausea or even bloody diarrhea. If these symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Even if you have placed your dragon tree out of the reach of children, there is a risk that fallen plant parts could be swallowed. We therefore strongly advise against cultivating a dragon tree if there are small children living in the household.
Hint: Take atIf you suspect poisoning, take a leaf of your dragon tree to the doctor so that he can compare which plant it is and take the appropriate countermeasures.
Dragon tree: Asthma and allergy sufferers
It is not only the oral intake of parts of the dragon tree that can have he alth consequences. In the case of allergy sufferers and asthmatics, complaints can be caused by skin contact or inhalation of plant vapors. The following symptoms may occur:
- Reddening of skin when in direct contact with leaves or plant sap
- Breathing difficulties due to odors in asthmatics
- The combination of dry and dusty air can lead to spasms in the respiratory muscles
Dragon tree: Poisonous for cats and dogs?
The saponins of the dragon tree are not only poisonous for humans in high doses, dogs, cats and all other pets can also be affected by dragon tree poisoning. Even if the animals are he althy and fit, there is a risk of irritation of the mucous membranes or the like after just one contact. However, should your pet nibble on your dragon tree, there should be no acute danger. However, with more frequent and prolonged eating, saponins can accumulate in the blood, which affects the number of red blood cells. Symptoms are similar to those in toddlers:
- cramps
- Circulatory problems
- Increased salivation
- Vomiting and (possibly bloody) diarrhea
There are some simple tips and tricks to keep your pet away from the Dracaena. On the one hand, you can of course refrain from cultivating the dragon tree in your own home, but you usually don't have to take such radical measures. Here are some tips to help you avoid poisoning your pet.
- Make sure your Dracaena is occupied seems uninteresting
- Put up a scratching post for your cats
- Regular walks and games ensure balanced behavior in dogs
If, despite the above measures, an incident should nevertheless occur, take your darling to the vet immediately. Outside of normal opening hours, a veterinary emergency service is always available to provide advice and assistance.
By the way: Despite the saponin, which is relatively toxic to humans and animals, it has useful properties for the manufacture of detergents. The detergent substances that can be obtained from saponins are found in many biological detergents and make our everyday lives easier.
If you pay attention to a few points, your dragon tree will not pose any danger. You can find out how to properly care for your dragon tree in our special article.