Plants are certainly decorative, but there are certain varieties that are best avoided indoors. And for good reason: some parts of these plants, such as the foliage, sap, or bulb, can be toxic to young children and pets. To avoid accidents, it’s best to avoid these plants. Discover these 5 toxic houseplants.
Before purchasing a houseplant, it is important to check whether it has allergenic potential and whether it is toxic to your children and pets.
What are poisonous houseplants?
Here are the poisonous plants that are best avoided in your home.
Also read: Which houseplants are toxic to cats?
Crassula ovata: poisonous succulent plant
Crassula ovata
Crassula ovata, or jade tree, is a succulent plant native to South Africa. This perennial is known for being easy to care for, thanks to its low water requirements. Crassula ovata, on the other hand, can be toxic to humans and pets. If accidentally ingested, especially by children, dogs, or cats, it can cause vomiting with diarrhea. Touching the plant can cause skin burns or itching, particularly from the sap and leaves.
Dieffenbachia: toxic tropical indoor plant
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant in the Araceae family. This ornamental plant tolerates heat and low light well. It is easy to care for, but it is also toxic. The latex and sap of the plant are the most irritating elements of dieffenbachia. Young children and pets are most affected by dieffenbachia poisoning because, if left unattended, they can chew pieces of the plant’s toxic leaves. Ingestion can cause swelling of the tongue and mucous membranes, causing a burning sensation that makes swallowing difficult. Repeated contact with the plant’s skin can cause dermatitis. Contact with the eyes can cause intense pain accompanied by conjunctival hemorrhages or even loss of vision for a few days.
Rhododendron: toxic decorative shrub
Rhododendron
Also known as azalea, rhododendron is a flowering shrub considered toxic, especially to children. Ingesting any part of this plant, or consuming its honey, can cause, among other things, nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, or even hypotension or hypersalivation. Note that symptoms appear between 30 minutes and 2 hours after ingestion. They can even last for several days. Azalea is also toxic to dogs.
Cyclamen: poisonous flowering plant
cyclamen
Cyclamen is a perennial plant prized for its colorful flowers. However, its bulb is poisonous , and ingesting it can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and sometimes even muscle paralysis.
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Ficus: poisonous houseplant
ficus benjamina
Also known as the fig tree or rubber tree, the ficus is a perfect houseplant. Its leathery green foliage is certainly decorative, but it is dangerous for small children , due to its sap being an irritating latex. Ingestion can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and mild burns around the mouth. The ficus is also toxic to pets. Ingestion can cause hypersalivation, mouth irritation, diarrhea, or vomiting. Furthermore, the ficus benjamina, a species of ficus, is considered one of the houseplants responsible for accidental poisonings of young children.
What happens if your child accidentally touches or ingests a poisonous plant?
If toxic parts of the plant are ingested, it is important to remove the pieces of the plant from the child’s mouth and save them for later identification of the ingested plant. Contrary to popular belief, it is not recommended to induce vomiting. Rinse the child’s mouth if this occurs, look for signs of irritation or swelling in the mouth, and contact your poison control center immediately. However, if your child touches a poisonous plant, remove contaminated clothing and wash the skin with warm water for at least 15 minutes. Then call poison control to find out what to apply to your child’s skin.
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