Do animal ashes have a negative effect on plants?

[nickie]

My friends cat died and she has the ashes kept in a plastic tub which she has put next to a plant (which she has had for years and has always been green and healthy). After about 3 weeks, the side of the plant right next to the ashes has begun to wilt and die.

Any chemical explanation for this?

[eyebrows]

broken heart

[eyebrows]

cat ghost wee'ed on it?

[Kleiber]

I don't have an answer, but I remember a story about a chap who was an ardent member of the local Labour club where I used to live. One of his last wishes was that his ashes be scattered over the rose bed outside the club. His old mates did as he wanted, but unfortunately, it rained shortly afterwards and the ashes set like concrete, killing all the roses!! Now that was a negative effect! That's a true story, honest!
I keep my dog's ashes on the windowsill, next to a plant and the plant is OK, by the way. K

[wildwood]

Really, most of the ashes are from the casket/box the animal was cremated in. A totally burned animal leaves very little ashes and potash promotes leaf growth so if anything, it would be beneficial.

More than likely, your friend has damaged the top roots of the plant when burying the ashes and the plant is reacting to that - or possibly the chemicals in/on the container used to bury the ashes has an undesirable compound in it.