Rubber plant?!

[Day Man]

Alright... so recently I tossed my hibiscus because it died. And I can't find anymore right now because it's cold where I live and not a lot of places have them. Anyways, the other day I bought a rubber plant for a replacement and didn't realize it was toxic and caused dermatitis! I checked the plant list on the forums before i went and figured it was O.K. since it was listed. But i didn't realize it told you information on the plant if you click on it!! haha. Has anyone ever used this type of plant or is it something that needs to be removed? So far she doesn't seem to mind it. Plus i think it looks pretty cool.

 

[CleanLineChameleons]

Well she won't mind unless she eats it or gets the sap in her eye. I would remove it because removing it take away any chances of harm.

-chris

 

[Day Man]

so even coming into contact with the leaves can harm her?

 

[Day Man]

i've noticed she really only eats hibiscus leaves and flowers... other plants she tends to leave alone. and if she were to lick water off the rubber plant, woud it hurt her?

 

[lele]

if a leaf snaps off or a piece of it breaks it will exude the toxic sap and if she rubs her eye on it or a feeder insects walks on it then you have a problem. I'd remove it. Get a ficus of schefflera if you need to fill up the space. Since you just got the plant you may be able to exchange it??

Btw, way, unless your hibiscus is REALLY dead, you can cut it back at its leaf nodes, keep it under lights and watered and it will continue to grow. i have had the same hibiscus since 2003. They are very easy to keep a live. Giving them a cool down period is helpful, but depending where you live you can keep them going year round. If you get a couple you can just trade them in/out of cage and always have a fresh one.

 

[Day Man]

thanks for the advice. the lady at the plant store let me exchange it