Popular house plants that might be toxic

House plants are not only beautiful and cozy but also a health hazard

Many people have more than one houseplant at home. Some of them create a feeling of coziness, while others contribute to the aesthetics, style, and design of a home. Flowers can add color and vitality to even the most modest or somber rooms.

Certain plants have air-purifying properties that help remove toxins and pollutants from the air. This can improve indoor air quality and create a healthier living environment. By growing flowers at home, people can stay in touch with nature, even in small apartments in cities^[1].

After all, indoor plants have been shown to help our emotional well-being. Flowers can positively contribute to reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This can be especially true not only at home but also in high-stress environments such as offices or doctors' surgeries.

Plants and flowers allow people to personalize their living or working spaces. Whether it's a lush fern in the corner or a colorful orchid on the windowsill, houseplants can be small decorative accents that have huge benefits for us and our environment.

However, it's worth knowing that different plants have different properties, and some can even be poisonous.

Probably the most typical, common symptom of poisoning from house plants is nausea and vomiting. However, some plants cause dizziness, frequent heart palpitations, and drowsiness.

The symptoms can be varied, so before you start growing a flower at home, it is important to find out if it is poisonous and, if it is, how to avoid it.

Poisonous plants, unfortunately, are very popular in the homes of many

Aloe vera. We have probably all heard about its healing properties, but it is important to know that this plant can be both helpful and harmful. When it comes to aloe vera, it is important to remember a simple fact: it cannot be multiplied. The juice of aloe vera grown in the room can cause severe stomach irritation and diarrhea, and for pets, especially hamsters, guinea pigs, or other rodents, tasting aloe vera can even be fatal.

Ivy. Ivy is known for its ability to purify the air in rooms, and the plant is also afraid of various bacteria and fungi, so it can be said that this flower can help keep the home clean and tidy. However, although the plant is not normally allergenic, its stems are very poisonous. Incidentally, the fruit of this plant is even more poisonous than the stems, but many domesticated, indoor ivy plants do not produce fruit. Poisoning from ivy can cause nausea, shortness of breath, and shivering, and severe poisoning can cause paralysis or coma.

Monstera. This plant has leaves of impressive size and shape, and its large stature makes it ideal for large home or office spaces. However, it is useful for all monstera growers to know that these houseplants are highly poisonous. The juice of the monstera leaves can cause inflammation of the lining of the mouth, as well as severe salivation and, in some cases, nausea and indigestion. If a pet accidentally tastes the plant, it could even die.

Hyacinths and daffodils. In spring, many people enjoy growing bulbs of different flowers right on their windowsills. Many people choose hyacinths or daffodils. However, most people do not know that these plants can be very dangerous. Poisoning from hyacinths or daffodils can result in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches, and the mere act of picking a hyacinth requires immediate hand washing.

Some plants can induce vomiting; others can be dangerous to the heart

Many plants can cause danger or just plain sickness, including the common pasqueflower, snowdrops, and many others. Substances in flowers can irritate the digestive tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea. For example, the lily of the valley contains glycosides that affect the heart and can even cause heart rhythm disturbances^[2].

A rare but particularly dangerous plant is the Daphnes (Daphne mezereum). If its sap gets on the skin, it can cause wounds, and if ingested, it can ulcerate the entire oral mucosa and digestive tract and even cause teeth to fall out. 

Home-grown plants can also be unfriendly to us. Some plants may only irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth, others may cause vomiting, and some may cause very serious poisoning or even liver failure.

This means that it is always necessary to find out exactly whether a plant is safe, and if you decide to grow it despite its dangers, great care is needed.

Keep children and pets away from the plant. Keep the flower off the ground or on the lowest shelf and out of easy reach. Teach children not to touch the leaves and, of course, not to taste them.

Also, make sure that your pets have clean water at all times and do not drink from flower pot saucers, where water can poison them. Remember also that plants that are even slightly poisonous need to be cared for more carefully and cleaned regularly.