the ultimate (?) plant thread

[deranged chipmunk]

Ok, well I had a dieffenbachia in with one of my visiting Pacific chorus/tree frogs, and it didn't seem to harm her any, so I went out and picked up (saved really) a couple more, along with a few other plants, from a local grocery store. They were keeping houseplants in an outdoor display and way over watering the poor things, plus the night time temps have been WAY too cold for them! Anyway, I started researching the plants more and I came across info that said these were very toxic... "All parts of a Dieffenbachia Plant contain calcium oxalate, a chemical that irritates the skin." The sap is particularly poisonous. Should I opt out of keeping these guys in with my WTFs since they ingest things through their skin? Everyone uses pothos, which are also toxic (though apparently not to the frogs?) and I imagine frogs are all over these things in their native habitat too so... keep the dieffenbachias for the frogs, or...?

I also picked up some dracaenas (Janet Craig and Lemon Lime) and I guess they are generally safe. I got three Sanseverias (Snake Plant) but was surprised to learn they like drier air and do NOT like to be wet, and yet folks are keeping them in WTF vivs...?? I suppose it would work if I didn't spray the plant a lot and I keep the soil (supposed to be a cactus type potting mix) dryer somehow.

I have kept diffenbachia with white's before. The toxicity isn't an issue unless they ingest it. The real problem is that they just grow too darned big for most vivaria. Diff's are good for about 3-4' when fully grown.

Sansevieria is a weird one. It's a tropical succulent. That's the reason it does well in a Viv. There are a few that will do well.


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