Good Luck Plant
Oxalis spp.
How it looks
Good Luck Plant (Oxalis) is a herb with small, three-part, clover-like leaves (often purple) and small five-petaled pink, purple, or white flowers clustered at the stem tips. It reaches about 6-12 in (15-30 cm) tall, the purple foliage being striking, and is popular as a potted plant.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
All parts of Good Luck 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 on Good Luck Plant rarely leads to serious trouble, but its oxalic acid can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and 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 shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Oxalis spp.
- Common name
- Good Luck Plant
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Oxalic acid
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
