Are succulents harmful to the human body?

In many families, in order to make their homes look warmer, many families will choose to plant some green plants, especially for families with children. Green plants can absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain eyesight. They are very good for children's health, so they need to be planted more. Succulents are also loved by many women and children for their cute appearance, but parents can't help but worry, are succulents harmful to the human body?

1. Is succulent harmful to the human body?

To answer this question, we need to see whether it is poisonous or not. Not all succulents are poisonous. On the contrary, only a small part is toxic, and most of them are not toxic. Moreover, their toxicity mostly exists in their sap or thorns. Therefore, just watching will not cause any harm. Be careful not to break their leaves and do not get their juice into your eyes or wounds, otherwise it will affect your eyesight and aggravate the injury. As long as you pay a little attention, there won't be any problems.

2. Toxic species

(1) Euphorbia tridentata: The whole plant is poisonous, and the poison is in the juice of its stem. If you accidentally touch it, your skin may turn red or itchy. If it gets into the eyes accidentally, it can cause blindness in severe cases. If swallowed by mistake, it may even be poisonous.

(2) Dragon bone: It is very tall and has thorns on it. If the juice accidentally comes into contact with your skin, you may experience an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions may be very serious in people with special physical conditions.

(3) Jade plant: Its branches and leaves contain toxic substances, which can cause adverse reactions to the skin if they come into contact with it, such as redness, swelling, pain, and blisters. It can also cause blindness if it splashes into the eyes.

(4) Eggs: Its toxicity also comes from its juice. It can also cause an allergic reaction if contacted.

Only some of the poisonous species are listed here. You should learn more about them and try to avoid harm.

The benefits of growing succulents

1. The most suitable plants for lazy people

Since succulents grow in arid areas, they do not have much demand for water. Generally, if they are grown indoors, they only need to be watered once every 7-10 days. In summer, they are dormant, so they can be watered once every half a month. For varieties like Lithops, they are dormant in summer, so they can be watered once a month. So no matter you are often away from home or are just a lazy person, succulents can grow healthily without your careful care.

2. Less watering, less likely to dirty the house

3. Radiation protection

Some succulents have the function of protecting against radiation, which is a good thing for most of us office workers. We can grow some succulents and place them in front of our computer desks to protect against radiation.

4. The shapes of succulents are diverse and varied, which can meet various aesthetic needs.

Of course, compared with the relatively tall herbaceous and woody plants, it will be much shorter. It depends on personal preference.

5. Mini and compact home decoration

Succulent plants are just as their name suggests, fleshy and plump, and small in size. Except for tuberous varieties and some individual species, most of them are within 5-20CM in diameter. Lithops are perennials, and the largest one will not exceed 10CM. Get a small and exquisite flower pot and place it in front of your computer desk, on a coffee table, on a TV cabinet, on a bookshelf... No matter where you put it, it doesn't take up space and is beautiful.

6. Purify the air and release oxygen

The respiration of succulents is opposite to that of other plants. Ordinary plants release oxygen through photosynthesis during the day and release carbon dioxide at night. Succulents breathe in a closed manner during the day and absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night. Because they grow in arid and hot areas, they close their stomata during the day to avoid water loss. At night, their stomata open to absorb CO2 and form malic acid which is stored in large vacuoles. They release CO2 during the day for photosynthesis. This unique metabolic mode is called "Crassulacean acid metabolism".

7. The Crassulacean acid metabolism of succulent plants is very suitable for indoor cultivation.

In addition, the roots, stems, and leaves of succulents have very strong functions.

1. Function of roots: to absorb organic nutrients from the soil: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other rare elements and water, and to strengthen the plant. Loose soil in the pot: it can store water, prevent root rot, and promote root growth.

2. Function of the stem: to transport nutrients produced and absorbed from top to bottom and to support the function of the plant.

3. Functions of leaves - Succulent leaves have four special functions:

1. Warehouse, storing water and nutrients.

2. Make chemical fertilizers through photosynthesis.

3. There is a thin layer of wax on the surface of the leaves to prevent water evaporation.

4. Respiration: The surface of the leaves is covered with many closable tiny stomata, which are divided into two groups. One group works during the day, releasing oxygen and inhaling carbon dioxide, and closes at night. One group works at night, releasing oxygen and inhaling carbon dioxide, and closes during the day. This function is not possessed by other plants (except a few plants). Therefore, placing fairy flowers indoors day and night can purify the air.