I'm new to DG and all this talk about brugs has gotten me very interested in getting at least one. However, the PDB says they are toxic and I have two cats and a dog to worry about. If I do get one and they are toxic, it can't go in the screened in porch. How toxic are they really?
How Toxic?
Welcome to DG & the Brug Forum SwiftWoods! Be careful..."Brug Fever" is highly contagious!!!
Does your two cats and a dog eat the other plants in your house or yard? If so, there is a bitter apple spray that will keep animals away from plants that could make them sick, if ingested. Here is a link to read more about it.
http://www.catconnection.net/page/TCC/PROD/DET/DET-1679/AFFIL/SEK
Good idea. I have bitter apple. The dog is 1 year old and is a digger and chewer. Since she is still a puppy of sorts, she is investigating everything. I never know what will be the next target. The bitter apple will work for her. Can't you see the pretty flowers dangling in front of her nose? Who could resist?
The cats like spider plants and that is about it. They aren't big plant eaters, but you never know....
Thanks for the tip.
I've grown them for several years and have had pets around them from day one. Never had a problem.
Shirley
The most toxic parts of the Brugmansia are the seeds. I wouldn't let the pets chew on the plants, but when the seed pods set I would be most careful of them.
Lots of our common perennials are toxic, such as foxglove, monkshood, and so on... Just need to be careful when we have pets!