Introduction – The Brazilian Purple Waffle Plant
Short answer is yes, the purple waffle plant is non-toxic and safe for cats. ShrinkThatFootprint advocates that we maintain food-producing plants both indoors and out in the garden or yard. There’s no reason not to keep non-food plants as well. One of the plants that people keep, which is not supposed to be eaten, is the purple waffle plant which are native to Brazil and get their name from their distinctive leaves. The plant’s flowers are small and white and grow in clusters. Purple waffle plants are easy to care for and make a great addition to any home or office. So, is purple waffle plant safe for dogs, cats and other animals?
The purple waffle plant is non-toxic. Even if you have cats at home, there’s no need to worry about them getting sick from the purple waffle plant. Just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t eat any of the leaves. You would have one damaged plant and a pet that has leaves in its stomach. That’d be about it.
What Is A Purple Waffle Plant, And What Does It Look Like?
The purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis Exotica) is a tropical perennial native to Southeast Asia. It gets its name from its alternative waffle-like shape and its purple leaves. The purple waffle plant typically grows about 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. It prefers to grow in moist, well-drained soil and in partial to full shade. If you are thinking about adding a purple waffle plant to your home, it is important to note that it is not tolerant of cold temperatures.
Seed, cuttings, or division can propagate the purple waffle plant. When propagating by seed, it is best to start the seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost date. Once the seedlings have grown enough to handle, You can transplant them outside. If you are propagating by cuttings, you will need to take stem cuttings about four inches long and root them in moist sand or vermiculite. Once the roots have formed, you can transplant the cuttings into pots filled with moist potting mix.
Finally, if you are propagating by division, you must divide the root ball of an existing purple waffle plant into two or three sections. You can then replant each section in its pot filled with moist potting mix. No matter which propagation method you choose, it is important to keep the soil moist until the plants have established themselves.
Scientific Information About the Purple Waffle Plant
Other names its known by are “Red Flame Ivy” or “Red Ivy” and it’s a well known ground cover plant that will propagate itself. More information is available at the Missouri Botanical Garden site.
| Rank | Scientific Name and Common Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae – Plants |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta – Vascular plants |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta – Seed plants |
| Division | Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants |
| Class | Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons |
| Subclass | Asteridae |
| Order | Scrophulariales |
| Family | Acanthaceae Juss. – Acanthus family |
| Genus | Hemigraphis Nees – hemigraphis |
| Species | Hemigraphis ‘Exotica’ – Purple Waffle Plant |
Origin Of Concern For Plant Safety To Cats And Dogs
The concern about whether a purple waffle plant is safe for cats probably originates from the well-known fact that certain types of plants can be harmful or even deadly to cats when ingested. Cats are known for their curiosity and propensity to chew on various things, including houseplants.
Bear in mind that the question of whether a purple waffle plant is toxic to cats might not be simply because someone observed their cat eating the plant. Cats can also rub up against plants, get plant particles on their fur, and then ingest them while grooming, which could potentially lead to issues if the plant is toxic. It’s a reasonable concern.
Are Purple Waffle Plants Safe For Cats and Dogs?
This is a question that many pet owners find themselves asking as they search for ways to make their homes more pet-friendly. No, purple waffle plants are not considered toxic to dogs and cats. The ASPCA lists them as a non-toxic plant for any pet animal.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats A Purple Waffle Plant?
If your cat eats a purple waffle plant, the cat is probably fine. The purple waffle plant doesn’t contain any toxic substances to cause vomiting or diarrhea. The only problems would be generic to cats eating plants.
Tips For Keeping Your Cat Safe Around Plants
Cats are curious creatures and often like to explore their surroundings, including any plants you may have in your home. While most houseplants are harmless to felines, a few can be dangerous if ingested. To help keep your cat safe, here are a few tips:
- Avoid plants that are known to be toxic to cats. Some common examples include lilies, azaleas, and oleander.
- Keep houseplants out of reach. Cats are clever climbers, so it’s best to err on caution and keep plants up high where they can’t reach them.
- Choose pet-friendly plants. If you’re unsure whether a particular plant is safe for cats, many options are specifically designed to be safe for pets.
- Supervise your cat around plants. Even if a plant is non-toxic, your cat may still not react well to it if they eat too much of it. So it’s always best to keep an eye on them whenever they’re near your plants.
Following these tips can help ensure that your cat stays safe around your houseplants.
Is The Purple Waffle Plant Poisonous?
So the plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. What about humans? Well, as far as we can tell there are no toxic chemicals in small quantities.
What Are Other Plants Poisonous To Cats?
Cats may be attracted to grass, but many other plants harm them. These include lilies, daffodils, azaleas, tulips, and rhododendrons. Ingesting even a small amount of these plants can result in diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure and death.
If you believe your cat has ingested a poisonous plant, you should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. With prompt treatment, the prognosis is usually good. However, the poisoning can quickly become life-threatening if the cat is left untreated. As a result, it is important to be aware of the harmful plants to cats and take steps to keep them out of reach.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the purple waffle plant is poisonous to cats and can cause various illnesses and abdominal pain. If you have this plant in your home, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets. And, if you think that your cat has eaten any part of the plant, call poison control immediately. There are several other plants that are harmful to cats as well, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these and take steps to keep them out of reach.
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