Adorning your home with plants is a great way to add visual appeal to your living space. They also promote a relaxing atmosphere and are natural productivity boosters, thanks to being a vital source of inspiration. However, not all plants in your home are harmless. Some varieties are deemed poisonous and can be dangerous to kids and pets if ingested or come into contact with the skin. To help you maintain a safe living environment, we have gathered 15 toxic plants you may already have at home that you should think twice about keeping around.
Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna)
The striking beauty of Amaryllis makes it perfect for adding an aesthetic appeal to your living space. It’s a popular Christmas decoration, thanks to its vibrant colors. However, it’s one of the toxic plants and can cause various health problems. Abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the symptoms you or your kids may experience.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe Vera is an adorable indoor plant that makes your living space attractive and offers many health benefits. It purifies air and aids in skincare, thanks to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing properties. While generally safe for decoration and when applied directly on skin, the plant can be toxic when ingested orally. Too much intake can cause serious health problems, including heart and kidney problems.
Mistletoe (Phoradendron)
Mistletoe is popular in many American homes, especially during the Christmas season. It often hangs around as part of the holiday decorations. However, it’s pretty toxic. For one, its parasitic nature makes it harmful to host plants. Moreover, all parts of it contain phoratoxin, which may cause problems like nausea and vomiting when ingested.
Asparagus Fern (Asparagus Densiflorus)
Asparagus Ferns are loved for their lush look, often used to adorn gardens or as a houseplant. Its small size, ability to grow in various light conditions, and ease of maintenance add to its appeal. While not highly toxic, please keep it away from kids and pets as repeated contact with skin can cause various health problems, from skin rashes to vomiting and diarrhea.
Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
Philodendron’s breathtaking foliage and its tropical touch make it an excellent plant to adorn your house. Its ability to thrive in various indoor spaces also makes it an ideal choice. But like all philodendrons, the plant is poisonous. All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause skin irritation and digestive problems if ingested.
Peace Lily (Araceae)
Incorporating peace lilies is an excellent way to adorn any room in your home. They are stunning, affordable, and easy to maintain. They also have purification abilities, allowing you to enjoy cleaner air indoors. However, these plants also contain crystals called calcium oxalates, which make their sap dangerous when coming into contact with the skin.
Flowers Growing from Bulbs
The vibrant colors of bulb flowers can make them excellent options to add visual interest to your home garden. Many see early spring blooms, bringing a striking burst of colors, creating a gorgeous display. They are easy to grow and maintain as well. Many are also toxic, including daffodils, whose all parts contain lycorine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms when ingested.
Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)
Sago Palm is a common houseplant choice for many, thanks to beautiful, feathery, palm-like leaves. It can add a dramatic, tropical feel to your home, plus it’s very easy to maintain. But all parts of the plant contain cycasin and other toxins that may cause various health problems, including vomiting and liver damage, when ingested.
Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
Native to South and Southeast Asia, rubber trees have long been seen as perfect indoor plants. Apart from their attractive foliage, their ability to grow in low light and tolerance to occasional neglect make them easy houseplant options. However, beware of its toxicity before beautifying your living space with it. Its sap can cause skin irritation in humans. Cats may suffer various discomforts, including vomiting, if they ingest the plant.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
There are many reasons spider plants are among the world’s most popular houseplants, including their ease of maintenance. It has multiple benefits, including purifying the air and making it a worthwhile addition to your houseplant collection. While widely considered non-toxic, they contain opium-related chemical compounds, which can result in health problems, like diarrhea and vomiting. While this sounds mild, keeping your pet away from these plants is advisable.
Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia)
Elephant’s ear’s large, gorgeous leaves can easily lure you into adorning your house with it. It’s also easy to care for and thrive in various indoor spaces, from kitchens to bathrooms. Unfortunately, it’s among the toxic plants you may want to avoid. It contains oxalic acid, which can result in various reactions, including nausea and diarrhea, when ingested. It’s poisonous to both humans and pets.
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Geraniums’ vibrant colors and fragrant leaves will bring beauty and an adorable atmosphere to your home. It’s a natural air freshener, adds flavor to various dishes, and is easy to grow and maintain. Despite the multiple purposes they serve, they can pose a danger to pets and can be an irritant to humans.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia Seguine)
The Dumb Cane’s foliage is downright attractive, and its tolerance to low-light conditions makes it an easy option for elevating your interior. Unfortunately, the houseplant is poisonous and can cause intense burning, pain, and possible swelling in the mouth if chewed or not handled properly.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
ZZ plants’ gorgeous appearance and ability to thrive in low-light spaces make them a fantastic addition to your houseplant collection. However, all parts of this seemingly adorable and harmless plant are poisonous. Ingestion can cause many symptoms, including swelling and irritation on the lips, throat, and tongue, making eating difficult.
Lilies (Lilium)
The allure of lilies is hard to resist. They’ve long been considered a symbol of purity, chastity, and love. However, the toxicity of these beauties makes them unsafe for both humans and pets. All parts of the pretty flowers are poisonous, with the effects being more severe in cats, who can die even from a small amount of ingestion.
