Is Christmas Cactus Poisonous?

The Christmas cactus, also called 'true cactus' or Schlumbergera bridgesii, is one of the easiest tropical flowering plants to take care of and it lasts for many years. People don't just plant it to increase the aesthetic beauty of interior designs, Christmas cactus is also popular as gifts during holiday festivities like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, the time of the year when they bloom. That is also how this species of cactus got its name. Christmas cactus is grown in an environment with cool temperatures, with no direct sunlight or sources of heat. But, the place must be sufficiently lit. Don't mistake it to be similar to other species of cacti, because the Christmas cactus needs to be watered at timely intervals, with adequate quantities of water. It is not immune to lack of moisture. Even though, Christmas cactus has been classified as non-toxic house plants, one of the most common questions people ask regarding planting this cactus is - is Christmas cactus poisonous? This question has been often debated amongst gardeners and I wouldn't blame you if you are confused about this too. So, let's ease that up for you and put a rest to this botanical tumult.

Is Christmas Cactus Poisonous?

There are some house plants that can cause severe poisoning in pets and so, you need to be very careful while choosing which plants to decorate your house with. That could be a lot of risk just to enhance the beauty of your house. Christmas cactus is a popular house adornment, especially during the holidays, and has been often categorized as a safe-but-better-avoid flowering plant. So, is Christmas cactus poisonous? Is it toxic to your pets and children? Should you keep Christmas cactus plants at home? The answer is 'yes'. You can plant Christmas cactus in your garden or keep them at home, but, you need to be wary of a few details. This question has been dissected here in two parts for your ease of understanding.

To Pets: Dogs that have consumed a lot of Christmas cactus, have been reported to show signs of poisoning such as vomiting, dullness, loss of appetite and diarrhea. But, on the other hand, there are many people who claim that their pets have often ingested cladodes and flowers of the Christmas cactus. The pets are still alive and their health is just fine. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA, affirms the latter testaments and has declared the Christmas cactus to be non-toxic to dogs, cats and other pet animals. Hence, it is not harmful to your pets.

To Children: Ideally, your children should not be eating any sort of plants that are not recommended for a human diet. Although, Christmas cactus has been deemed as safe for consumption by pets, would you eat your garden plants? The same theory applies to your children. They should not be ingesting Christmas cactus or any other plants, as chemicals in the plant could lead to an upset stomach and may be a cause of allergy. As a preventive measure, keep all house plants away from the reach of toddlers and kids who are likely to ingest them.

The Verdict

Christmas cactus is NOT poisonous to pets and children. They are absolutely safe and you can plant them in your house without worrying about its ill effects on the health of your family members, including your pets. But, you may be adding fertilizers and insecticides to keep this house plant healthy and blooming. These substances are not what your kids and pets should be consuming at all. In small quantities, the Christmas cactus is not really toxic. However, when eaten in large doses, it can prove to be really fatal to their health. Also, the sap of the Christmas cactus may be a potential allergen for their delicate built. If you think your pet is showing symptoms of poisoning, please call the Pet Poison Control Hotline on 1.888.426.4435.

Many people are either unaware or just do not take care of Christmas cactus and then complain when it does not blossom. Is your cactus not flowering during the holidays? Well, you need to practice some good methods of propagation, so your plant blooms every year. So, go ahead and decorate your house with beautiful Christmas cactus plants in fuchsia, pink, orange, red and purple! If you are still in doubt whether Christmas cactus is poisonous, opt for a smarter route and get some artificial ones.