Poisonous home plant dieffenbachia. Is it possible to keep dieffenbachia in the house. Bad omens and superstitions about dieffenbachia

Some talk about its benefits, others scream about its toxicity and many signs that convince you not to bring the plant home in any case.

Who is right and is it possible to keep dieffenbachia in the house? Let's try to figure it out.

dangerous plant

Dieffenbarchia is a poisonous plant. But only its juice is harmful. If it gets on the skin, sores remain. In adults, they heal fairly quickly, in children a little longer.

Most of all this juice is afraid of our mucous membranes.

If Dieffenbachia milk gets into the eyes, a person loses his sight for a while. And in the mouth, the tongue and larynx can swell from it, as a result of which breathing becomes more difficult and the gift of speech is lost.

Even in ancient times, talkative slaves were punished with this plant. They forced them to bite off a piece of paper, after which they lost the ability to speak. As a result of this, Dieffenbachia began to be called the “mute rod”.

For an adult, the flower is not very dangerous, but if the poison gets to the child, resuscitation is inevitable. Even worse for pets.

From a drop of juice in cats, the larynx swells completely, access to air is blocked and the animal dies. But oddly enough, cats are smart enough to bypass this killer, often hiding in their own.

Physical harm is not all, because the plant has special energy properties that not everyone likes.

Dieffenbachia - the main cause of family strife

During the time that this flower was assimilated in homes, people began to notice a certain pattern. Wherever there is dieffinbachia, quarrels begin.

But why?

And here are the folk sayings:

• Dieffenbachia is a malicious husband. The plant is not ready to share its mistress with someone else, therefore it instantly weakens male energy and quarrels couples.
• It is believed that as long as a girl keeps this flower, she will not marry.
• Families with a potted plant in their bedroom often fail to have children. The main reason is a decrease in male potency.

Another feature of the plant is that it blooms only where negative energy accumulates. There is a plus here.

The flower can serve as a good indicator. In addition, he not only determines the negative, but also takes it upon himself.

And this is not the only benefit of the plant, there is more.

Every poison can be a cure if used correctly.

Useful properties of the plant:

1. It's natural. Dieffenbachia has rather large leaves in which it accumulates water. Being in a warm room, the water begins to evaporate, as a result of which the air in the room becomes much fresher.
2. The plant releases volatile, which kill harmful bacteria in the room. It is not strange that hospital wards are often surrounded by a flower.
3. Cleans the air from formaldehyde, xylene, trichlorethylene and benzene. It is highly recommended to plant dieffenbachia in houses that are located near factories, factories and other enterprises where they emit harmful substances into the atmosphere.
4. It has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
5. Useful for careerists. Creates a good atmosphere for study and work. Everything that is needed for improvement: perseverance, perseverance, concentration, improvement of brain function - dieffenbachia is ready to give.
6. Good for women. This is a kind of "guardian". Girls who have this flowerpot at home are not afraid of aging. The flower has a good effect on the condition of the skin and fights excess weight.

But be careful: she shares her energy only with those who care for her. And only if everything is done correctly.

Summing up: is it possible to keep dieffenbachia at home?

You can if you are careful enough.

But in order not to run into trouble, follow the basic rules:

• Don't put a flower in a child's room. You can not keep it where the child plays.
• Find a place for the pot in the apartment: on the wall, a tall cabinet, or somewhere else that is hard to get.
• When transplanting or other work with a flower, be sure to wear rubber gloves. And don't forget to wash your hands with soap after finishing.
• Do not keep a flowerpot in the bedroom. Office, library, study - the best place for him.
• Don't believe in bad omens.

As you can see, the benefits and harms of a flower are almost the same. If you are an optimist and can easily discard bad signs, feel free to buy Dieffenbachia for yourself.

Dieffenbachia is a fairly common plant, the benefits and harms of which are not known to everyone. Therefore, it is so important to know the symptoms of poisoning by this representative of the flora.

Intoxication of the organism by plants is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon, but nevertheless very common. Often we eat salads and foods that contain poison, and then we cannot understand what caused such unpleasant symptoms and how to cope with the disease on our own.

Dieffenbachia is a houseplant that can be found in almost any room - it can be used to decorate residential buildings, offices, and even schools and kindergartens. At the same time, few people know how dangerous dieffenbachia is, and what poisoning with dieffenbachia, such, at first glance, a harmless home flower, can lead to.

Description

Before turning your attention to such a home plant, it is important to study in detail and responsibly all its qualities. This flower is distinguished by rather large leaves placed on a thick stem. The color of these leaves changes closer to the middle - it becomes noticeably lighter. At the same time, there are about thirty different species of this plant, due to which its popularity among landscaping lovers is only growing.

A houseplant can reach two meters in height, and may not exceed the size of a regular flower in a pot. It is extremely unpretentious, which only increases the desire to have such a handsome man at home. At the same time, people often do not know whether Dieffenbachia is poisonous or not, what the consequences of intoxication may be, and what is dangerous about such a neighborhood.

Dieffenbachia is very fragile because of the juicy stem, therefore, when a certain size is reached, the stem may break. Do not throw away the bush, just cut off the top and root the remnants.

Note! In order to achieve flowering at home, artificial pollination is necessary. This is the only way you can see the flower at the top of the trunk.

Danger

Dieffenbachia, the benefits and harms of which are not known to everyone, is found in many homes. Unfortunately, people do not always think about the danger that such a neighbor can bring. With proper care of the plant and subject to certain care requirements, dieffenbachia will not bring harm. But there are factors due to which it is very easy to get poisoned by this bush.

If there is damage on the leaves or stem of the plant, then anyone who touches the flower can get an unpleasant poisoning - this is a natural protective reaction of a representative of the flora to external stimuli, so the flower protects itself from the interference of outsiders. In this case, the victim may experience characteristic unpleasant symptoms, such as swelling of the mucous membranes, reddening of surfaces, and even burning.

Dieffenbachia is poisonous only when touched with juice; in other cases, this flower does not carry danger. Nevertheless, it is important to know the symptoms that appear when the plant comes into contact with the skin, as well as on the mucous membranes and in the human stomach.

• manifestation of obvious dizziness;
• feeling of nausea;
• difficulty in speech, or its complete disappearance.

Note! Interestingly, in some regions, the juice of this plant is used to make poisonous substances against rodents, and such products, as a rule, effectively get rid of the problem. That is why it is not recommended to allow small children and pets to this flower - poisoning can occur as soon as possible, and contact with the plant may go unnoticed.

Care of this flower should be carried out only with the use of protective equipment - be sure to get thick rubber gloves, and after care, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dieffenbachia is harmful to people with severe allergic reactions, so you should not plant this flower if you have had such reactions to plants in the past.

In the apartment

Despite the danger of the plant to health, it is increasingly becoming an inhabitant of modern apartments. Thousands of people today are wondering if it is possible to keep such a plant without harm to the body, how to properly care for it and how to avoid unpleasant consequences?

Of course, in addition to harm, this plant also brings great benefits - it perfectly cleans the air, making the atmosphere in the room healthy. The plant is able to save its owner from the toxic effects of fumes that appear as a result of chemical and sanitary treatment of premises - thus, having such a flower, you significantly reduce the risk of other, more serious poisonings, and therefore take care of your health.

It is important to know that fears are rarely justified - it is unlikely that enough plant juice will get on your skin for serious intoxication. If this happens, it is enough to rinse the damaged area with warm running water. At the same time, dieffenbachia produces useful elements that destroy harmful microorganisms contained in the air, due to which human health is significantly strengthened.

The benefits of the plant lie in several factors at once:

1. Comprehensive purification of air from toxic substances. The plant will help purify the air in apartments and houses located near factories and highways.
2. The air in the room where the flower is located becomes much cleaner, while giving the impression of walking in the fresh air.
3. The feeling of chronic fatigue disappears, which is very important for a modern busy person.

If you correctly follow all the rules for caring for this plant, an adult and responsible person is not in danger of any poisoning. At the same time, it is worth limiting access to the plant to small children and pets. It is not recommended to place the flower in the kitchen and dining area, as the toxic juice can penetrate food and cause poisoning in all family members.

Note! Before you start such a houseplant, be sure to undergo a medical examination for allergic reactions. If such reactions exist, the cultivation of dieffenbachia should be completely abandoned. Failure to comply with safety precautions and unforeseen reactions can lead to the development of anaphylactic shock, which is dangerous for the health and life of a person.

Video: dangerous house plants - dieffenbachia and boxwood.

It is possible to exclude possible intoxication of the body if all the necessary conditions for keeping the flower are fully observed. The plant is extremely unpretentious, for its normal growth it is recommended to provide light light, a humid environment and a warm atmosphere.

Dieffenbachia does not need frequent watering, you need to pay close attention to this only while the plant is young. In winter, the flower is watered only after the soil has dried to a certain depth.

It is important to spray the flower in a timely manner, as well as transplant it into a comfortable and spacious pot. It is recommended to do this with gloves, as poisonous juice can cause unpleasant reactions on the skin.

Obviously, the benefits of such a plant are much greater than its negative impact. This is the reason for such a large spread of the plant. Nevertheless, it is necessary to take care of it with the utmost care, and access for small children and animals, especially cats, should be completely limited - for them, the plant's juice is a real poison.

Dieffenbachia conquered many lovers of home flowers. Is it possible to keep this indoor plant at home? Such a question often arises with a closer acquaintance with this charming indoor flower. I would like to understand why there is such a biased opinion.

A resident of tropical forests, dieffenbachia, the care of which requires certain knowledge and skills, simply falls in love with itself at the first meeting.

Dieffenbachia: description

The special color and pattern on the leaves give it a charming originality. It grows very quickly (sometimes reaches 2 meters in height); but, unfortunately, growing up, it loses its attractiveness due to the bare trunk at the lower level as a result of the death of older leaves.

Dieffenbachia flowering at home is unlikely to please anyone, because it feels comfortable in its familiar wild habitat. However, the inability to admire its inflorescence resembling an arrow-shaped cob is more than compensated by the rich emerald color of almond-shaped leaves, sometimes reaching half a meter in length. Less common are white and yellow speckled leaves.

Dieffenbachia care: features

In care, the Dieffenbachia flower is very capricious; for high-quality growth, it requires the provision of the correct temperature and light conditions. Being, like most plants, a light-loving culture, dieffenbachia is intolerant of direct sunlight, it may well endure a moderately shaded place, but a constant shadow can be fatal for it. In the case of proper placement, dieffenbachia will delight with its rich green, always fresh appearance. Also, the flower does not tolerate drafts; when frozen, it can shed the lower leaves.

The temperature in the room where the dieffenbachia flower grows should not be below 17 degrees Celsius. In watering, moderation should be observed and always monitor the cleanliness of the leaves, regularly wiping them from dust. It is also recommended to spray the flower. In this case, it is desirable to use water at room temperature and settled; ordinary - from a tap - forms a white limescale on the leaves of the plant. Water should not stagnate in the pan, otherwise it is fraught with diseases and possible death of the plant. In winter, watering should be limited, since Dieffenbachia, like most indoor plants, has a dormant period.

When caring for a plant, one should not forget about top dressing. Every ten days it is recommended to feed dieffenbachia with mineral liquid fertilizers and periodically loosen the soil. Closer to winter, top dressing should be stopped, giving the plant the opportunity to rest.

Dieffenbachia is sick: what to do?

Beneficial features

Many people like dieffenbachia. Is it possible to keep a plant at home that, according to prevailing opinion, can harm the inhabitants of the room where it is located? We will talk about such a negative feature a little later. Now I want to figure out if there is at least some benefit from such a room dweller. Of course yes! Dieffenbachia, the harm of which will be described a little below, contains phytoncides, the active action of which is aimed at cleansing the air from pathogens. Large leaves of the flower contribute to air humidification by evaporating moisture from their surface. The conclusion is as follows: Dieffenbachia, although painstaking care, but brings great pleasure, reduces dustiness in the premises and is able to effectively clean the air of formaldehyde, a harmful chemical used in production. Such an indoor flower is recommended to be grown in offices, apartments, houses that are located in environmentally unfavorable areas (near factories, hazardous industries, landfills and factories).

Dieffenbachia: is it possible to keep at home?

So, is it possible to grow such an interesting flower as dieffenbachia at home? What threatens his presence next to a person? There is a drawback to such a houseplant, and a very significant one. The milky juice present in the composition of the plant is very poisonous!

In case of contact with the skin, it causes significant irritation, dangerous for the oral cavity and mucous membranes of the eyes. For a person, this can threaten blindness, swelling of the tongue and loss of speech. As proof, I would like to cite the following historical fact. During the period of slavery, excessive talkativeness or verbal bickering was punished by biting the stalk of Dieffenbachia by the guilty. The juice, getting on the mucous membrane, caused severe swelling of the tongue and larynx, after which the victim remained mute for a long time. Among the inhabitants of South America, for such properties, dieffenbachia was called the "mute rod".

Dieffenbachia at home: to be or not to be?

Sometimes you really want to have such a respectable pet as dieffenbachia in your house. Is it possible to keep such a plant at home? It should be decided in connection with the individual characteristics and conditions of a person who wants to decorate his room with such a beauty. If there are pets who, by their nature, sometimes want to nibble on something fresh and green, or small children live in the house, curious and restless, then, most likely, it is better to refuse the presence of dieffenbachia.

In any case, it is always worth observing some precautions: wear gloves during grafting or crown formation; After contact with the plant, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.

Among indoor flowers, Dieffenbachia is almost in first place in terms of the number of rumors and bad omens associated with it. Plants are feared not only because it is poisonous, but also for many other reasons.

It is believed that it negatively affects a person. The danger of dieffenbachia, according to many people, lies in the childlessness that it imposes on couples. According to signs for unmarried girls, life next to Dieffenbachia can turn into celibacy. According to another version, a flower placed in rooms with a bad atmosphere absorbs all negative energy.

Dieffenbachia: is it possible to keep at home?

Many people who believe in the effects of plants on humans are wondering: is it possible to keep dieffenbachia at home? The answer is not so easy to find. Some people believe that the appearance of dieffenbachia is directly related to childlessness. Others believe in the positive properties of the plant. It is recommended to be planted in industrial areas due to the fact that the flower absorbs harmful emissions and various harmful compounds. By the way, that is why it is called a fountain plant. Toxins and formaldehydes are actively absorbed by its leaves. According to scientists, Dieffenbachia also copes with bacteria. Maybe that's why she can be seen in any hospital. It is believed that the flower is able to influence the human condition. His presence in the room stimulates perseverance and concentration.

A proven fact that discourages some from growing this houseplant is the poison contained in its juice.

Read also: What flowers can not be kept at home?

Dieffenbachia - the flower of celibacy: is it so?

Dieffenbachia is associated with many signs and superstitions. Unfortunately, most of them do not bode well for plant owners. The most common claims to a flower are the influence on the representatives of the stronger sex living in the same house with the plant. Dieffenbachia is said to greatly reduce male potency. Perhaps, it is with this sign that others are connected. It is not recommended to grow a flower for people trying to have children, to put a pot with it in the matrimonial bedroom. In addition to infertility, according to signs, dieffenbachia can cause other problems. Popular rumor ascribes to her masculinity. They say that because of the flower, men cannot live in the house, they leave the family. That is why dieffenbachia is called the flower of celibacy.

Dieffenbachia is poisonous: the dangerous properties of the plant

• In addition to rumors and bad omens associated with the plant, there are more reasoned facts about the harm of Dieffenbachia. The thing is, it's poisonous. The poison is concentrated in the juice of the flower. This property was known even in the days of slavery. So the slaves in America called dieffenbachia dumb rod. As punishment, the offenders were forced to bite the leaf or stem of the plant. As a result, the person's larynx swelled, he could not speak.
• Really , the milky juice of this indoor flower, getting on the skin, causes burns. They usually look like small sores. Juice is most dangerous for human mucous membranes. If it gets into the eyes, mouth or nose, it causes a painful burning sensation. The larynx and tongue swell, vision is lost and temporary blindness occurs.

• For an adult, a small amount of poison is not particularly dangerous. Exceptions are people with individual intolerance. They may have a severe allergic reaction, and even heart failure. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to growing a flower in apartments with children and pets. Dieffenbachia is especially dangerous for them. In children, the reaction to even a small amount of juice is more acute. The likelihood of swelling of the tongue and disorientation in space is very high. For animals, an eaten leaf of dieffenbachia can even be fatal.
• Dieffenbachia is poisonous, but according to many reviews, the effect of its juice on people manifests itself in different ways. Someone, getting dirty with it, feels only a slight burning sensation. Other people get burns and sores on the skin. It's all about individual sensitivity. In any case, it is better to be careful with the plant. It should be transplanted with gloves, do not touch the broken leaves with your hands. It is better to put a pot with Dieffenbachia in hard-to-reach places.

Dieffenbachia is an evergreen plant with beautiful large round green petals that come with white spots, stripes and veins. Myths and legends have been created around this plant, it is also called “a flower that takes away the gift of speech”. Many people ask: why it is impossible to keep dieffenbachia at home, what are the reasons. Let's learn more about this beautiful shrub with lovely decorative petals.

A little about the flower

At home, this exotic shrub in some cases grows only 50-70 cm, sometimes up to 1.5 meters. In its own homeland, in the American tropics, it grows up to 2 meters.

The plant attracts the eye with its beautiful leaves, which can sometimes reach up to 50 cm, with white stains, sometimes with yellow and light specks. Dieffenbachia grows very quickly, in the process of gaining height, it sheds the lower leaves, its trunk becomes bare and loses its attractiveness from this. Therefore, skilled and experienced gardeners cut off the top.

In nature, when a plant reaches two meters, the trunk does not withstand, under the weight of gravity, and leans towards the ground. New shoots appear, and the plant thus multiplies.

In the house or in the office it almost never blooms, in nature it blooms every year. Its flowers do not amaze with special beauty, resembling a yellowish cob, which is covered with a kind of fluffy veil.
Read more: .

Types of dieffenbachia

In nature, there are more than 40 species of this overseas beauty, but in our conditions several species are grown:

• "Bush" - a small bush, reaching no more than 80 cm in height, leaves of a bright green color, with a pronounced white vein in the center;
• "Lovely" or sweet - most likely the most common type, with long leaves of dark green color and bright white branches from the center of the leaf - vein;
• "Camilla" - often, with proper care, even at home can grow to a height of up to 2 meters. Its leaves are light green, oval in shape, with a bare trunk;
• "Reflector" - dark green juicy leaves, with a huge number of specks of a light green hue;
• Dieffenbachia "mix" - leaves are light green with fancy white patterns.

Is it possible to keep dieffenbachia at home

Around this exotic shrub, there are bad rumors about its harm, bad omens, and reviews about how poisonous it is. Is it really so dangerous, and is it worth believing rumors and signs, living in the 21st century? Many are afraid of this plant, and even be afraid to touch it, not to mention getting it in the house. Rumor has it that if such a tree grows in the house, then because of it there are constant quarrels between the spouses. Some believe that if a single girl has this plant in her house, then she will never get married. Everyone has the right to make their choice, to believe or not to believe bad omens.

Harm to humans

If the juice of the plant gets on the skin of an adult, this will cause the appearance of sores, which will soon pass, but in children they will heal for a longer time. In some cases, it can cause vomiting or painful spasms. It has been proven that this shrub cannot bring serious problems to a person, but it can harm your pets. So, for example, if the juice of the plant gets into the larynx of a cat, then this can cause swelling, which will lead to blocking the access of air and the animal may die.

In America, during slavery, slaves were punished with this plant, forcing them to chew a leaf of a bush - this did not lead to death, but the punished lost the power of speech. So this plant acquired another name "mute rod".

plant benefits

You can grow dieffenbachia in the house if you handle it correctly. It is considered a wonderful air purifier - large leaves of the plant absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In addition, it perfectly absorbs various toxins released from furniture, household chemicals.

The juice of the plant is poisonous, but it is released only if the stem or leaf is broken. But it is better to take precautions: when transplanting, you must wear gloves, and you should not place a flowerpot with this plant in a child's room or bedroom.

Keeping dieffenbachia at home is by no means prohibited, and it does not pose any threat when handled correctly. As for the rumors about the negative impact on the atmosphere in the house, they are not substantiated in any way, and have not been proven.

How to care for a plant

To grow a beautiful bush - diefenbachia, you definitely need to know how to care for it. She is not very capricious, but loves a lot of light and warmth, feels great in large rooms or lobbies of hotels and institutions. But you do not need to place the flowerpot in a place where direct sunlight falls. It likes moist air, feels good with central heating, but does not tolerate dry soil. She needs frequent watering and spraying of the leaves, otherwise they will begin to curl, and the beauty will lose her attractiveness. It is good to substitute a tray with moss under the flowerpot, an aquarium located in the same room - all this will create a favorable effect on the flower.

• It is best to water with settled water, since the salts contained in tap water can destroy the plant. Water only when the soil begins to dry out a little.
• Needs frequent top dressing - mineral and organic fertilizers, which can be added to irrigation water, once every 10 days.

Transfer

Usually dieffenbachia is transplanted only after the flowerpot or container has become too small for it. A small plant is often planted in a large pot, as it grows very quickly - in the first year of life it grows by 30-40 cm.

Precautionary measures

As mentioned above, the juice of an exotic beauty is poisonous, therefore, when transplanting or pruning, you must wear gloves, immediately put the trimmings in a bag and throw them in the trash.

If there are cats in the house, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is best to place the flower pot on a hill so that the beloved animal cannot taste the tree that is dangerous for it.