If you have a pet, you may be wondering if Philodendron is poisonous to them. The answer is yes, it is. The toxin in this plant is calcium oxalates, which can cause mucosal irritation and inflammation, hypersalivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you think your pet has ingested Philodendron, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
What is Philodendron?
Philodendron is a genus that contains some 200 genera and 1500 species, and includes more than 30 popular houseplant species. This genus is native to tropical and subtropical climates of the Old World. The plants have many common names, including cacti, peace lilies, spider plants, Christmas cactus, philodendrons, and century plants. These plants are popular houseplants and the most common species to have in the US has become the Philodendron hemitrichum, also known as the Christmas cactus because of its beautiful white flowers and red fruits. The plant needs filtered, indirect sunlight, and water every two to three weeks during the summer months.