Q: I want to plant hellebores in my backyard border to add a little color this winter, but a friend warned me that hellebores are poisonous. I don't want to put my cat or dog at risk. Should I worry?
answer: Hellebores are wonderful winter flowers with clusters of pink, white, purple, and green flowers. But your friend is right. They are plants that are toxic to pets and pose a variety of health concerns if ingested. Therefore, it is important to know the risks and how to avoid them to keep your backyard pet-friendly.
If you have pets, be aware that hellebore can pose health risks
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Danger of hellebore to pets
Veterinarian Dr. Ray Spragley warns that hellebore leaves, stems and roots are all toxic to pets.
Ingestion can cause symptoms of hellebore poisoning. These include drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, burning sensation in the mouth, paralysis, low blood pressure and even seizures, Ray lists. Additionally, the sap from the plant can cause skin and mouth irritation in pets, he added.
The good news is that the bitter taste of hellebore can be unpleasant. As Ray points out, this makes it less likely that your pet will ingest enough to cause severe symptoms of hellebore poisoning.
Still, if you suspect your pet has eaten this poisonous plant, it's always worth contacting your local veterinarian for advice and always being cautious. As Dr. Sara Ochoa of Hound Games says, “Fast action saves lives!”
Dr. Ray Spragley is the founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care, a house call veterinary practice serving pets in both New York City and Westchester.
Dr. Sara Ochoa is a contributing veterinarian to Hound Games and a graduate of St. George's University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She has worked as a veterinarian treating small and exotic animals for the past five years.
Hellebores are beautiful, but unfortunately they are also poisonous
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How to protect your pet from hellebore poisoning
“To be on the safe side, keep your hellebore away from areas where your pets will approach it,” Sarah advises. For example, you can place it in a container on a porch where four-legged friends are not allowed, or plant it behind a pet-proof fence.
Pet Care Advice Mark James of the website PetKeener.com says, “Pay attention to when flowering perennials first bloom, in late winter or early spring. Pets may sample them out of curiosity. This is the time when sex is at its peak,” he adds. He also suggests pruning out dead leaves and flowers (which should be safely disposed of).
Mark James is an avid pet lover who loves sharing tips and stories about his furry friends on popular websites like PetKeener.com. A proud pet parent of two rescue dogs and having grown up with all kinds of animals, he understands first-hand both the joys and challenges of owning a pet.
Keep these plants well away from pets
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FAQ
Are hellebores dangerous to humans?
Yes, hellebore is toxic to humans as well as pets, so you should never eat it. Please handle with care as it may irritate the skin. Help protect your hands with bee-print gardening gloves from Terrain.
Are hellebores in a vase dangerous to pets?
“If you choose to display flowers indoors, place them high up and out of reach of your fur baby,” says Sarah.
This also applies to hellebores, which are grown as festive indoor plants. Remember that all parts of the plant are poisonous. So be sure to pick up any spent flowers or leaves that may be on the floor.
If you have pets or small children running around when planting your winter garden, you may want to avoid hellebores altogether, as well as toxic spring bulbs such as snowdrops and daffodils. A dainty winter-blooming shrub, camellias are a safer planting option for early outdoor color.
