Plants make beautiful additions to any home, indoors or out. You would love to decorate your place with greenery but be careful. There are dangerous plants, and even though they look and smell amazing, they can be toxic to your kids, and pets. These toxic plants can cause varying problems like allergic reactions, stomach aches, kidney damage, diarrhea, and in some cases, can be fatal too.
We have compiled a list of 10 toxic plants you should avoid, especially if you have small kids and pets in the home. If you have these plants already at home, take necessary precautions to keep the kids and pets safe and away from them. Please also browse through our recommendations for safe alternatives to keep everyone safe around you.
Plants, their Toxicity to Humans and Pets, and Safe Alternatives
Our compiled list of the top 10 toxic houseplants should help you identify these poisonous plants and keep your pet safe while they explore or sneak a snack.
Plant | Toxic for Humans | Toxic for Dogs | Toxic for cats | Safe Alternative |
Philodendron | Yes | Yes | Yes | Baby rubber plant, prayer plant, areca palm, or parlour palm |
Pothos | Mild | Yes | Yes | Swedish ivy |
Arrowhead | Mild | Mild | mild | Prayer plant |
Lily | Moderate | Extreme | Extreme | African violet, moth orchid, or Barberton daisy |
Sago Palm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Boston fern |
Tulip | Quite moderate | Quite moderate | Quite moderate | Violets, pot marigolds, or Barberton daisies |
Oleander | Quite extreme | Quite Extreme | Quite Extreme | Violets, wax plants, and moth orchids |
Caladium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Variegated baby rubber plant or calathea |
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue/ Snake Plant | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Cast iron plant |
English Ivy | Mild | Yes | Yes | Pot marigold |
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
This palm tree looks like an upright green cane with ribbons wrapped around each branch. Its sap contains cycasin, which can cause liver failure, bloody stool, jaundice, and increased thirst in humans and animals if ingested in sufficient quantities over time. Sago palms are commonly found in homes across the United States due to their low maintenance needs and wide availability at garden stores; however, they do not make good pets for small children due to their toxicity potential.
Humans: Vomiting, Bloody stool, Jaundice, Increased thirst, Bruising.
Animals: Animals, especially pets, seem at risk because they find the plant very tasty. Drooling, inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver failure.
Caladium
Caladiums are beautiful plants with colorful leaves that grow in various sizes and shapes but have been known to cause severe skin irritation when touched or rubbed against the skin while handling them. They also contain oxalates which can be harmful if ingested by humans, so they should be planted away from children’s play areas or pet areas where there may be accidental ingestion by pets or small children. It is possible to experience vomiting, diarrhea, cramping in the stomach, headaches, and vomiting if you eat one of these tubers raw.
Humans: mouth, tongue, lips, and throat burning, breathing difficulties, difficulty speaking and swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and possible lung blockages.
Animals: Drooling, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and staggering.
Philodendron
According to the ASPCA, Philodendron is a common household plant that can be found in offices and homes around the world. However, cats and dogs are highly toxic to it. It is rare for small children to experience severe side effects after ingesting Philodendron, with the most common side effects being dermatitis reaction and swelling on the tongue and digestive tract.
Humans: Possible blisters in the mouth, as well as oral pain and irritation.
Animals: There have been reports of spasms, seizures, pain, and swelling in cats and dogs after ingesting Philodendron. Cats are more prone to get a reaction from Philodendron.
Pothos
Pothos is a common indoor vine that grows quickly and easily attaches itself to any surface in the home. While Pothos plants are usually considered mild toxic for humans and pets, they may be harmful if ingested by cats or dogs, according to PetMD. These plants contain oxalic acid, which can cause tissue damage and kidney failure if ingested by cats or dogs.
Humans: A burning sensation in the mouth, irritation of the skin, swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat, and vomiting.
Animals: The symptoms of Drooling, Choking, Swelling of the Mouth and Tongue, Problems Breathing, and stomach upset in animals. It can result in renal failure and/or death.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead is another common indoor plant that grows widely in American households. According to PetMD, arrowhead plants contain poisonous calcium oxalate crystals if consumed by animals such as cats and dogs. If your cat or dog ingests arrowhead leaves, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing due to swelling in the mouth and throat.
Humans: Irritated skin, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing.
Animals: Irritation of the stomach, salivation, burning sensations in the mouth, throat, and lips.
Lily
Lily is among the most toxic flowering plants for cats and dogs. When ingested, it can cause kidney failure, which is often fatal. Even though the toxicity level depends on the type of lily, it’s best not to take any chances when it comes to this plant. Owners of pets should seek medical attention if their pet consumes any part of a lily.
Humans: Constipation, vomiting, headaches, blurry vision, and itchy skin.
Animals: Lilies are more poisonous to cats than to dogs.
Tulip
Tulips can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats if they eat them, but there’s not much danger beyond that unless you have an allergy to tulips yourself! If you have an allergy, you should avoid handling tulip bulbs or flowers to prevent getting sick. If you suspect your pet has eaten some parts of a tulip, contact your vet immediately so they can administer treatment if needed.
Humans: Diarrhea, hypersalivation, vomiting, depression, and skin irritation.
Animals: Inflammation of skin, inflammation of the mouth, pawing at the mouth, swelling, loss of appetite.
Snake Plant
This plant could cause mouth sores if a cat or dog chewed on it. This plant may cause nausea and vomiting if ingested. Treating symptoms is usually unnecessary if they resolve on their own. The snake plant has sharp leaves which could puncture a pet’s skin if contacted.
Humans: There are no long-lasting effects on humans other than a bit of mouth pain and salivation. It can cause dermatological reactions in rare cases but is primarily toxic if ingested.
Animals: Swollen lips and mouths, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation.
English Ivy
In most American homes, English ivy can be found growing as a houseplant. However, ingestion will cause severe burning in your mouth and throat and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Do not hesitate to contact Poison Control if you suspect your child has eaten any part of this plant!
Humans: Skin irritations, rashes, convulsions, fever, and suppuration after ingestion. Consumption of the plant in large amounts usually results in severe symptoms.
Animals: Symptoms include diarrhea, hyperactivity, gasping for breath, weakness, tremors, and staggering.
Oleander
Oleander is another common houseplant considered poisonous when ingested by humans and animals alike. It causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and liver damage, which can lead to death if left untreated for too long after the ingestion. If you doubt your child has consumed any part of this plant, call Poison Control immediately!
Humans: Dizziness, tremors, and arrhythmia.
Animals: Vomiting, arrhythmia, and cold extremities.
FAQs
What happens if you touch a ZZ plant?
If you touch any part of this plant, including its leaves and stems, it releases small amounts of oxalic acid into your bloodstream through your skin. Oxalic acid is an irritant that can cause pain and burning sensations on contact with bare skin. It also causes mouth, throat, and tongue swelling if ingested.
What plant kills you instantly?
Deadly Nightshade is a poisonous plant that can cause death in humans. It contains a toxin called Atropine. This toxin is toxic to the heart, nervous, and digestive systems.
What plant helps you sleep?
Valerian causes sleepiness, so it is used as herbal medicine for insomnia and other sleep disorders. It contains valepotriates which are responsible for its sedative effects.
Final Words
If you love houseplants, be sure to do your research when choosing your indoor plants. If you have children or pets, you should be even more careful and don’t let the pretty flowers fool you. Please do yourself a favor and check out the poisonous houseplants above to ensure you don’t accidentally harm any loved ones rather than enjoying your new plants!
Antoinette M says
Very interesting information. I’m glad African violets are safe!