House Plant Toxicity

[danilila]

Hello! I am getting ready to bring home a new baby sun conure and I'm very excited! I was "bird proofing" my apartment the other day and I realized that I had some plants that might be toxic to conures, so I bought a book and was reading up in it. Then I replaced all of the "toxic" listed plants listed in the book but now I am unsure. I have an African violet, some orchids, a schefflera (or umbrella tree), a snake plant, bromeliad, boston fern, birds nest fern, and a spider plant. Has anyone ever had any problems with these plants? And if so, what happened?

Thanks for any and all help!
Dani

 

[Kalidasa]

I know for sure the African violets and orchids are safe. The umbrella plant as far as I know is considered toxic to parrots...some list it as irritating, others as downright toxic. Not sure about the others as I don't have them, but you might want to check and recheck each one, as many toxic lists online are outdated or misinformed. Others with experience with your ferns and such hopefully will chime in.

 

[danilila]

Thank you! I don't know why the umbrella tree was on the "safe" list in the Conure Handbook so annoying. I'm going to talk more about everything with my vet this coming week.

 

[Birdman666]

I have problems with every house plant... IT SEEMS THAT I AM TOXIC TO THEM!

 

[EAI]

I know that bromeliads and snake plants should be safe ! The parakeets used to nibble on the bromeliads before i decided to move them (plants) outside.

 

[danilila]

How do you know that snake plants are okay? Did you have one of those too? Thanks again!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here are a few links of safe and toxic plants.

Toxic and Safe Plants/Trees for Birds - Household Poisons

Poisonous and Safe Plants for Birds

Plants For Your Bird Aviary

 

[veimar]

I have TONS of house plants, about 50 of them! I never ever had any problem. African violets, bromeliads, snake plant and spider plants are not toxic as far as I know, but there is tons of information online about any plant. Orchids are toxic. I have all of the ones you mentioned, and many more, so I just put the ones I doubt about out of the reach of my birds. Generally my birds are not interested in my plants at all.