Bread and Butter Plant
Plectranthus amboinicus · Lamiaceae
How it looks
Bread and Butter Plant is a foliage plant whose leaves carry vivid variegated patterns mixing red, purple, pink, yellow, and green. The leaf margins are serrated and lobed, and the stems are square. It grows 12–31 in (30–80 cm) tall, prized for its leaves rather than its flowers.
Mild caution — stomach irritation
All parts of Bread and Butter Plant contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble of Bread and Butter Plant usually doesn't lead to anything serious, but the unidentified compounds in it can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes and cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves or broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat's appetite clearly drops, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, mild skin irritation
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Details
- Scientific name
- Plectranthus amboinicus
- Common name
- Bread and Butter Plant
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Unknown
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, mild skin irritation
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
