Indoor plants are at home in almost every household. The ornamental asparagus is widespread, but only the least are sufficiently informed about the asparagus plant. The plant expert has important details, especially regarding toxicity, ready for you.
Indoor plants bind pollutants in the air and can freshen up the indoor climate, such as the popular indoor asparagus (Asparagus). But negative aspects accompany numerous plants that can have health consequences for humans and animals. Whether and/or to what extent the ornamental asparagus is poisonous and other important details about the houseplant as well as various rules of conduct can be found below.
recognize plant
Houseplants are often bought or given as gifts without knowing exactly which flower it is. In some cases there is no plant name and/or there is simply a lack of detailed knowledge. This can have fatal health consequences for humans and animals in relation to poisonous plants. For this reason, you should know how to recognize ornamental asparagus as a houseplant.
Here are the most important features:
- delicate foliage
- branched crown depending on the species
- False leaves with nodal arrangement of up to five leaves each
- thorny leaf spur, sometimes fern-like
- small, inconspicuous and fragrant as well as racemose flowers
- small globular berries in red, orange or purple
- bulbous root
- Subshrub and available as a traffic light tendril with drooping shoots
species
ornamental asparagus species
Only ornamental asparagus species can be used as houseplants all year round. These are in contrast to the vegetable plants.
The most common indoor asparagus plants include:
- Asparagus densiflorus sprengeri
- Asparagus densiflorus meyeri
- Asparagus falcatus (sicklethorn asparagus)
- Asparagus setaceus (feather asparagus)
Asparagus densiflorus sprengeri
toxicity
Contrary to some claims, ornamental asparagus is only partially poisonous. Although it is officially one of the poisonous indoor plants, this only applies to it during or after the flowering season. This is where the berries develop. And only these are poisonous. The leaves or stems of the asparagus, however, are not poisonous. The period of toxicity is therefore limited to the duration of berry growth. However, the toxicity potential should not be underestimated, because contact with humans and animals can lead to symptoms of poisoning.
Asparagus densiflorus myersii
signs of intoxication
These can manifest themselves in different ways or not occur at all. As a rule, these are only expressed in a small way in the case of pure contact, whereby the consumption of the berries can have significantly more side effects. This does not necessarily have to be the case with you, but especially with small children, older people, allergy sufferers and small animals, the chances of poisoning are significantly higher than with an adult, healthy person. The typical signs of poisoning by the berries of ornamental asparagus include the following.
- a headache
- nausea and vomiting
- Gastric and intestinal disorders
- dizziness
- stomach pain
- general malaise
Asparagus falcatus, Sicklethorn Asparagus
animal poisoning
In some cases, the berries of the Asparagus houseplant can be fatal to animals in particular, because they usually nibble on them or even eat them completely. Cats are usually fascinated by playing with the berries. A claw quickly lands in the berry flesh and the toxins get into the body by licking it off afterwards. Dogs are more likely to nibble at a plant and devour the berries, intentionally or unintentionally.
For pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters or rabbits, green fodder is part of their daily diet, and they don't stop at the berries of ornamental asparagus. The basic rule here is: the more the animals have eaten in relation to their body size/weight, the more dangerous the symptoms of poisoning can be. In the worst case, they can even lead to death.
Asparagus setaceus, spring asparagus
First Aid Measures
As soon as you notice a possible symptom of poisoning as mentioned above in yourself, another person who may have had contact with the ornamental asparagus berries or in your pets, you should consult a doctor or veterinarian immediately. If you don't know the amount that the affected person or the pet came into contact with, try to find out or at least be able to estimate it, because this information is necessary for the doctor to be able to initiate appropriate countermeasures. If in doubt, you can get helpful information from the Poison Information Center.
TIP: Don't give milk, even if your neighbor thinks this is THE recipe for poisoning, as it is widely spread. The fat in milk can make the toxins more soluble, allowing them to get into the bloodstream faster, where they can do more damage.
Asparagus setaceus, spring asparagus
prevention
In order to effectively prevent possible poisoning, you don't have to give up buying ornamental asparagus as a houseplant right away. Some behavioral measures and preparations minimize the risk of poisoning to zero.
- If you do not know whether it is ornamental asparagus, seek help from a specialist shop or a gardener
- Always wear gloves for all maintenance activities
- in case of skin contact, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap
- cut off berries
- do not put berries or other plant parts in your mouth
- Do not place the plant in children's rooms or within reach of small children
- Diluted lemon juice or lemon peel in a pot keeps dogs and other small animals away from the plant
- There are special repellents for animals in pet shops, such as spray solutions with unappetizing bitter substances