Is the Money String plant toxic? Learn about its toxicity before growing it for peace of mind

The Money String plant is not toxic. It is another creature with a similar name, the Money String insect, also known as the centipede (Scutigera), that has some toxicity. The Money String plant is completely non-toxic. It lives in environments around 20-30°C and is a plant whose scientific name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia (money tree), belonging to the Araceae family of tropical herbaceous plants.

Is the Money String plant toxic

1. Scientific name

The reason the Money String plant is misunderstood as toxic is that it has a name similar to another insect also commonly called Money String. The Money String insect, scientific name Scutigera, is related to the centipede and is a toxic many-legged insect, while the Money String plant, scientific name Zamioculcas zamiifolia (money tree), is a completely non-toxic succulent plant.

2. Plant characteristics

The Money String plant is a tropical herbaceous plant native to Zambia in East Africa. It belongs to the ornamental succulents and is named Money String because its shape resembles stacked coins, but this plant is completely non-toxic. From its sap to its fleshy leaves to the body of the plant, it is entirely non-toxic, exactly like ordinary succulent plants.

3. Growing environment

The Money String plant is suited to growing in a relatively warm and humid environment. The most suitable temperature range for its growth is about 20-30°C. Whether potted or planted in the ground, it can grow and develop normally, and it has strong shade tolerance. Even if the sunlight is not very abundant, the Money String plant can still grow and develop normally.

4. Care

When growing the Money String plant, we only need to pay attention to one thing: do not place the plant in a sealed indoor space, because this plant absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide at night, which can easily make the air in a small sealed space stale. Therefore, we should try to place it on a balcony with better ventilation and sufficient light.