Plant library · pieris
Pieris
Pieris japonica
Toxic to cats and dogs
An evergreen shrub grown for its flame-red new growth and drooping spring flowers. It needs acidic, ericaceous compost — ordinary potting soil will slowly yellow it.
Toxicity
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems.
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems.
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 5–8 days
- LightMedium light
- HumidityAverage humidity
- Temperature-15–24 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
- Yellowing leaves with green veins — lime in the soil or water; use ericaceous compost — Yellow leaves →
- Scorched new growth — cold wind on the young red shoots; shelter it
- Few flowers — buds form the previous summer, so prune straight after flowering
In the app
Add a pieris to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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