Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Is Scindapsus aureus hazardous to the public?
QUESTION:
We are an interior landscaping co maintaining tropical and subtropical plants
in commercial buildings. We have used Pothos (Scindapsus Aureus) as a trailing
plant for years and is the most widely used plant in our industry.
Recently we have been requested to remove them from a hospital that we service.
It was found listed on their poisonus plant list and they were
concerned. Could you fill me in on whether it is a plant variety that we
should be concerned about? Is it truely a hazard to the public?
ANSWER:
Like so many other indoor plants, Scindapsus Aureus (aka Epipremnum aureum)
contains little, tiny microscopic needle-like calcium oxylate crystals. When
someone chews on these leaves, it hurts like hell, because of the irritation and
inflamation caused by these little needles. The tongue and lips can be swollen,
and if swallowed, the gut reacts enough to cause
diarrhea.
Kids do munch on this from time to time, and Alzheimer patients have been known
to chow down on other house plants, but I don't know if the have eaten this one
yet. If a person's memory is still intact, then it is not a plant they chew on
twice - it hurts too much. I know of no serious injuries or deaths from contact
with this plant.
Philodrendrons, Dieffenbachias and a number of other house plants do the same
thing.
Your plant (called pothos some places) also causes a rash in some nursery workers
that handle it all the time, probably both physical damage and allergic
reactions.
If your clients have little kids or senile patients in house, then I can
understand their concern. Unfortunately, truly edible house plants would probably
be beset by insects, mice and other critters.