Are calla lilies poisonous to touch?

Calla Lilies: Beautiful, But a Little Bit Naughty? The Truth About Touching These Beauties

Calla lilies. Aren’t they just stunning? Those elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers are a go-to for gardens and bouquets. But here’s the thing: they’ve got a little secret. It’s not a dangerous secret, but one you should definitely know about before you start manhandling them.

The Mischief-Maker: Tiny Crystals with a Big Attitude

The culprit? It’s all down to these little things called calcium oxalate crystals. Think of them as microscopic needles hiding inside the plant i. They’re in every part – the flowers, the leaves, the stems, even the roots i. And when you damage the plant, like when you’re cutting the stems for a vase, these little guys get released i. Ouch!

So, Can They Hurt You If You Touch Them?

Okay, “poisonous” is a bit dramatic. But calla lilies can cause a nasty little irritation if you get their sap on your skin, especially on sensitive areas i. Those calcium oxalate crystals? They’re like tiny splinters. Get the sap on you, and you might feel a burning sensation, see some redness, get an itch you just can’t scratch, and in some cases, even develop blisters i. How bad it is really depends on how sensitive you are and how much sap you get on you i.

What Happens If You Get Too Close?

• Skin Contact: Think burning, redness, itching, maybe a rash, and possibly even blisters i. Not fun!
• Eye Contact: Immediate pain, burning, tearing, swelling, and sensitivity to light i. Seriously, flush your eyes out ASAP. Corneal damage is also a possibility, so don’t mess around i.
• If you swallow some (yikes!): Okay, this is more about contact, but a quick word on eating these things. You’ll get intense burning and irritation in your mouth, tongue, and lips, start drooling like crazy, probably vomit, have trouble swallowing, and sound like you’ve got a frog in your throat i. In rare cases, things can get really serious with swelling blocking your airway i. Not worth it!

Who Needs to Be Extra Careful?

Honestly, anyone can get a reaction i. But little kids and pets? They’re the most at risk because they explore the world with their mouths i. And if you’ve got sensitive skin, you’re probably going to react more strongly i.

Uh Oh! I Touched One. Now What?

• Skin Contact: Wash it. Really well. Soap and lots of water i. A cold compress can help calm things down. If it’s really bad, see a doctor i.
• Eye Contact: Flush, flush, flush! Gentle, room-temperature water for at least 15 minutes i. And if it’s still bugging you, get thee to a doctor!
• Swallowing: Call poison control or get to a hospital, pronto i! Don’t try to make yourself throw up.

Smart Ways to Avoid Trouble

• Gloves are your friends: When you’re dealing with calla lilies – cutting, repotting, whatever – wear gloves i. Trust me on this one.
• Wash those hands! Even if you wore gloves, wash your hands afterward with soap and water i.
• Keep them out of reach: Way, way out of reach of kids and pets i.
• A little education goes a long way: Tell kids that calla lilies can cause a rash and that they shouldn’t touch or eat them i.

Fido and Fluffy, Beware!

Calla lilies are a no-go for cats and dogs i. If they eat any part of the plant, they can get a seriously irritated mouth, drool everywhere, throw up, and have trouble swallowing i. If you think your pet’s been munching on a calla lily, call your vet, stat!

The Bottom Line

Calla lilies are gorgeous, no question. But a little caution goes a long way. Knowing they can cause a bit of irritation is half the battle. Wear gloves, keep them away from kids and pets, and if you do get some sap on you, rinse it off quickly. Enjoy the beauty, skip the itch!