Is the lucky chestnut poisonous for humans and animals?

the Lucky Chestnut is a popular ornamental plant for the home - because of its enormous ease of care and its beautiful appearance. But what about the compatibility of Pachira aquatica? Is it poisonous for humans and animals or not? The article examines this question in detail.

Lucky Chestnut

The long, five-fingered leaves of the lucky chestnut, which with a little imagination look like deep green hands, are particularly popular. The low maintenance effort also inspires many plant lovers to buy a Pachira aquatica. If only it weren't for the uncertainty as to whether the plant is poisonous. How does direct contact affect people and pets? What do I need to consider? The plant expert answers all the important questions about the toxicity of the noble lucky chestnut.

Toxicity

Is the lucky chestnut poisonous?

No, the lucky chestnut is not poisonous. Strictly speaking, it does not pose any health risk to humans or animals. All the scientific research carried out so far has come to the conclusion that there are no dangerous toxins in the popular plant. So you can easily bring one or the other Pachira aquatica into your home. This also applies to plant lovers who have children and / or keep pets. Nevertheless, some details have to be taken into account with regard to the “groups” mentioned - for the benefit of all those involved.

Summary:

• Lucky chestnut (Pachira aquatica) not poisonous in itself
• However, there are a few things to keep in mind with children / pets

Toddlers

Special features with regard to small children

In principle, it is not a problem to spruce up a household with small children with lucky chestnuts. Whether with skin contact (e.g. touching the plant with your hands) or when chewing individual components (e.g. B. the leaves or the bark): The Pachira aquatica is generally considered to be non-toxic.

Tip: Of course, in the trunk of the noble tree - as with any other ornamental plant - there are various saps that are minimally toxic. In this context, minimally toxic means that slight symptoms of poisoning can occur if a larger amount is consumed.

But: A child would have to completely suck out the trunks of several lucky chestnuts in order to suffer serious damage. It is unrealistic. Hardly anyone has four or more of these trees at home - apart from the fact that probably no child feels like sucking one trunk after the next. For the reasons described, you don't have to bother to find a child-safe place for the plant (s).

Summary:

• minimally poisonous plant juices in the trunk of the lucky chestnut
• Child would have to suck out entire stems of several plants
• no child-safe location required for the trees

Pets

Special features for cats, dogs, rodents and birds

Pet owners often ask whether the lucky chestnut is poisonous for cats or dogs. Even owners of rodents and birds are often unsure about this. The reassuring news for all animal lovers: Pachira aquatica is not poisonous for any animal species. A real example from practice should be mentioned as proof of this. The owner of a rabbit reported the following:

“About four minutes ago Leo ate a piece of a lucky chestnut about two centimeters in size. When cleaning the cage, I put the scratching post aside, near the plant. Leo jumped on the scratching post, stretched himself very long and bit off a bit. I watched him closely, both in the hours after the mishap and on the days that followed. He behaved quite normally. "

Reading the report in this way, it quickly becomes clear that it is not the animals but rather the plants that are in danger when both parties clash. Above all, cat's claws and strong dog teeth as well as bird's beaks can sometimes seriously injure the trunk.

Tip: Injured trunks or shoots attract pathogens and pests. These are able to kill the plant. This is why it is important to keep lucky chestnuts away from cats, dogs, and birds.

Summary:

• Lucky chestnut is completely non-toxic for pets
• rather plants endangered by mammals and birds
• Keep Pachira aquatica protected from animals

Reptiles

Special features regarding reptiles

Some animal and plant lovers are also worried about the merging of reptiles with a Pachira aquatica. The reason for this is that real plants are preferred in the terrariums. Fortune chestnuts are ideal for climbing, which is why many mistresses of chameleons and other reptiles do not want to do without the natural beauty.

Tip: It is not a problem to put a lucky chestnut in the terrarium. The animals use the tree as an adventure playground, but they cannot be poisoned in the process.

Summary:

• Lucky chestnut not poisonous for reptiles
• The plant can be placed in the terrarium
• great climbing frame for chameleons and co.

edibility

In theory, ingredients are actually edible

In the countries of origin, lucky chestnuts or Components of it even eaten. In addition to deep green leaves, trees that grow in the wild also produce wonderful flowers in yellow-green or cream-colored tones as well as brown, oval and 30 centimeter long fruits. These three elements - leaves, flowers and fruits - are edible.

If desired, young leaves can be harvested from the houseplants and eaten raw or cooked. A few owners are lucky that when they are cultivated at home, fruits and seeds are formed. The latter are also edible and taste particularly good when roasted. The aroma is very reminiscent of peanuts. Interesting: unripe fruits and the bark of Pachira aquatica are used in Guatemala as a remedy for liver problems.

Summary:

• At home, leaves, flowers and fruits serve as food
• Seeds taste like peanuts (especially tasty when roasted)
• eat young leaves from the room tree (raw or cooked)
• Fruits and bark in Guatemala as a remedy for the liver

For quick readers

Tips for fast readers

• Lucky chestnut (Pachira aquatica) is considered non-toxic
• only strains with minimally toxic sap
• slight poisoning only in extremely large quantities
• plants endangered by animals rather than vice versa
• Lucky chestnut is allowed in the terrarium (for climbing)
• Leaves, flowers and fruits incl. Edible seeds