Houseplants have an amazing way of making any home feel more vibrant and fresh. Most houseplants serve to enhance the atmosphere, improve the air quality, and provide a sense of calm, but not all plants are suitable for your home’s interior. Indeed, some of them may pose hidden risks to children or pets. Certain plants can also trigger allergies or require living conditions that are difficult for any but the most experienced plant owner to maintain.
Before you select a plant, it is essential to understand a particular plant’s drawbacks to ensure that it fits your lifestyle and environment. A more thoughtful plant selection will allow you to create a worry-free and hassle-free garden.
Always consider your own circumstances when choosing which houseplants for your living space. Not everyone’s home environment, lifestyle, and household partners are the same, so it makes sense that your houseplant choices might be different from those of your neighbor. For instance, a houseplant that is toxic for pets might be entirely suitable for people who do not own pets. You should follow your own best judgement in selecting houseplants.
Oleander
Oleander is an evergreen shrub with white, pink, or red flowers. It is popular as an outdoor plant because of its drought resistance, but it is also adaptable for indoor growth.
All parts of this plant, including the leaves, flowers, stem, and sap, contain toxic compounds, one called oleandrin. This can cause severe consequences if ingested in even small amounts. Symptoms of ingesting the plant include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythms, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Even handling the plant can cause skin irritation and rashes in people with sensitive skin. This houseplant should be avoided in homes with pets and/or children, and it should be handled by anyone with care.
Caladium
Caladium are tropical plants that have variegated, heart-shaped leaves in colors including green, pink, and red. Even though this plant is beloved for its graceful beauty, all parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause significant irritation if ingested. Eating this plant may cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Drooling, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing are other possible side effects. The large leaves can also be a choking hazard if swallowed.
These plants are best kept away from pets and small children who may be attracted to their colorful leaves.
Sago Palm
The sago palm is a popular houseplant because of its striking and ornamental palm-like appearance. However, this houseplant is highly toxic to animals and humans. All parts of this plant, especially the seeds, contain cycasin. Ingesting this toxin, in even small amounts, can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and liver failure.
For pets, particularly dogs, the consequences of eating this plant are often fatal without immediate treatment. Signs that a pet has been poisoned by this plant include excessive thirst, bruising, and neurological signals, such as tremors or seizures. Given the high toxicity of this plant, it is best kept out of homes with small children and pets.
Easter Lilies/Day Lilies
Lilies, like Easter or day lilies, are popular during the spring season because of their attractive and fragrant blooms and their symbolism of rebirth and renewal. Unfortunately, these plants are extremely toxic for cats, with all parts of the plant posing a serious health risk. Ingesting a lily, even in small amounts, can cause liver failure in cats. Early symptoms of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy, which can progress to more serious effects, such as dehydration and disorientation. This can potentially lead to fatal consequences if left untreated.
This plant is not toxic for dogs or humans, but it is best kept out of homes with cats as pets.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are a popular houseplant because of their easy maintenance, glossy green leaves, and attractive white blooms. Despite their widespread use, these plants can pose a risk to humans and pets because of the calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves and flowers.
If peace lilies leaves or flowers are ingested, they can cause swelling of the mouth and throat, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Even though this is rarely life-threatening, it can be distressing, especially for small pets, and require a costly vet visit. Because of its negative side effects, this plant works best in homes with older children and no pets.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular houseplant for its fleshy leaves that contain a gel that is thought to be soothing for skin irritations. While the gel has medicinal benefits for humans, aloe vera plants can cause irritation to pets if they eat it.
Aloe vera plants have a compound called anthraquinones, which can have a laxative effect and cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain in pets. Humans should also avoid consuming aloe vera because consuming aloe latex can result in some of the same side effects, such as abdominal irritation and kidney problems with prolonged use. Topical use of aloe may also cause skin irritation in certain people. Because of the potential negative side effects, it is best to keep this plant out of reach of animals.
Pothos
Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is a popular houseplant due to its ease of growth and graceful trailing leaves. Pothos leaves, like other houseplants, contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can be harmful to the health of small children and pets, but are especially harmful to cats and dogs. Consuming this plant, in particular, can cause irritation and swelling in the mouth and throat. If your pet eats this plant, you may notice them drooling, vomiting, or having difficulty swallowing.
This plant’s prolific growth and trailing habit make it difficult to keep away from children and pets, but you should do your best to keep it out of reach.
Weeping Fig
Weeping figs are popular indoor trees thanks to their graceful, arching growth pattern and lush green foliage. These trees produce latex sap, which can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rashes and dermatitis. This is especially true for those who are allergic to latex.
Weeping figs can also cause problems if the leaves are eaten, like nausea and vomiting, especially for pets. While they are not considered toxic, you may need to practice caution if your pet shows a proclivity to eat leaves. If you suspect your pet has eaten weeping fig foliage, look for symptoms such as drooling or digestive distress.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a large genus of plants that includes the popular poinsettia. Euphorbias are well-known for their distinctive shapes and colorful bracts, but they produce a milky latex sap that can be harmful to human and animal health. This sap contains compounds that can cause skin irritations such as rashes, itching, and redness.
When animals or humans consume these plants, it can lead to more serious health complications such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Euphorbia, in particular, can cause gastrointestinal distress in cats and dogs.
Cacti
Cacti have a unique and recognizable shape and vibrant flowers that make them a popular addition to some indoor gardens. Certain plants have sharp thorns and spikes that can make them not ideal in households with curious children or pets. Accidental contact with cacti can result in puncture wounds and scratches that, if left untreated, can lead to infection. Some, like the barrel cactus, also have sap, which can cause irritation to the skin.
While not toxic, ingesting certain cacti can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as the risk and discomfort associated with eating sharp spikes. To reduce these risks, keep cacti out of reach and wear gloves when handling them.
Dumb Cane
Dumb cane is a celebrated houseplant because of its lush foliage and interestingly variegated leaves. This plant also contain calcium oxalate in all parts of the plant, so it can pose significant health risks. Even in small doses, this plant can cause severe oral irritation, including burning in the mouth and throat, swelling, and difficulty swallowing. Someone who is drooling, vomiting, or in respiratory distress may have consumed some dumb cane leaves.
When eaten in large quantities, dumb cane can be fatal to both humans and pets. People with sensitive skin may experience skin irritation as a result of handling the plants. When handling this plant, wear gloves and keep it away from the ground to protect small children and pets.
