Description and names of poisonous houseplants (+34 photos)

Flower lovers happily add exotic plants to their miniature home gardens. Moreover, the most unusual "new arrivals" are often not only beautiful but also dangerous. Beginning gardeners, especially those with children and pets, should research poisonous houseplants and their names before purchasing.

Specifics of poisonous houseplants

Poisonous plants that inhabit our windowsills often have showy blooms and a pleasant aroma. Strongly scented specimens can be harmful to allergy sufferers. Even a perfectly healthy person may experience a deterioration in health, including headaches and confusion, due to excessive exposure to the flowers' essential oils. The severity of allergic reactions depends on the individual's individual characteristics and age.

Poisonous plants are particularly dangerous due to their sap. Ingesting the toxins can cause poisoning with various side effects. These may include rashes, skin reactions such as burns, ulcers, dyspepsia, and dizziness. In some cases, it is necessary to seek specialized medical attention.

Many species of spurges, for example, have spines that damage the skin.

Names of indoor plants that cause allergies

There's no need to get rid of a houseplant unless there are any allergy sufferers in the household or among regular guests. However, it's always important to be vigilant and aware of the characteristics of your plants.

Geranium

A true healer's helper from the family of the same name, it boasts numerous beneficial properties: it is a wonderful antiseptic, helps with coughs and runny noses, sore throats and ear infections, relieves stress and tension, normalizes blood pressure, helps with toothaches, treats rashes, eczema, and more.

Geranium produces a large amount of essential oils, which not only smell pleasant but can also trigger allergies. When someone feels unwell, this flower isn't always the first suspect; symptoms are usually similar to a cold. Hypersensitive individuals experience severe rhinitis, and respiratory problems are possible. Rarely, angioedema or anaphylactic shock are possible.

Problems arise from direct contact with the plant. Pregnant women, women taking birth control, people with low blood sugar, and small children should avoid it. Children often "taste" everything they come into contact with, and this flower can cause digestive problems, hypotension, and increased blood viscosity.

Oleander

The oleander blooms profusely, exuding a pleasant and powerful aroma that can be dizzying. The entire plant, containing oleandrin and corninin, is poisonous. However, the lanceolate leaves are particularly dangerous.

If ingested, they can cause severe colic, diarrhea, and vomiting, and then disrupt the heart and central nervous system. These organic compounds can disrupt heart rhythms and even cause cardiac arrest.

Ficus

The ficus's insidiousness lies in its sap, which contains about 40% rubber. The sap can cause an allergic reaction on exposed skin (itching, tingling, and, in rare cases, blisters). If it gets into the eyes, it can cause a corneal burn, followed by vision impairment.

Sap is released during repotting, pruning, and crown shaping, if the ficus is damaged or diseased. These are the types of sap that can cause problems for people with latex allergies. Parents whose children handle flowers should be especially vigilant.

The ficus tree isn't deadly, but its leaves can cause serious poisoning (symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, and confusion). It's also poisonous to pets, but they're usually uninterested. Asthmatics may experience attacks, vomiting, swelling of the mucous membranes, and diarrhea.

Azalea

This is the elegant name given to certain beautifully flowering species of the genus Rhododendron. These small, lily-like flowers are strongly scented. The aroma can cause severe dizziness and even loss of consciousness.

The toxins in fresh leaves and flower nectar, which is the product of honey, are dangerous. If plant parts are ingested, a burning sensation in the mouth and increased salivation will occur. This will then lead to vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, weakness, and confusion. Heart rhythm disturbances can lead to convulsions and even coma.

Poisonous houseplants that can cause gastrointestinal upset

Plant fragments and their juices can be accidentally ingested. Some plants have extremely negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Spurge

Because the milky white sap of members of the Euphorbia genus is poisonous to varying degrees, animals in the wild avoid these plants. Florists favor the white-veined or white-veined Euphorbia, which has a very exotic appearance.

However, caution should be exercised and remember that if the juice gets into water or food, toxic gastroenteritis can develop within 8-12 hours. This is characterized by headaches, burning and pain in the esophagus, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, dry mouth and dehydration, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Amaryllis belladonna

This bulbous plant with attractive flowers and a delicate aroma contains the alkaloid lycorine in all its parts. It's especially abundant in the bulbs, which require care when handling: wear gloves, wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid touching your eyes.

Lycorine is used medicinally. In small doses, it promotes expectoration. Overdoses can cause vomiting, low blood pressure, deterioration of bowel function and general well-being, and even seizures.

Aloe striata

There are many species of this succulent plant (over 500). Aloe vera, a common sight on many windowsills, is particularly renowned for its medicinal properties. Gardeners also actively cultivate its striped relative, which should not be used medicinally due to the toxicity of all its parts.

The plant's sap can cause uterine and intestinal bleeding. Pregnant women should especially avoid aloe vera, as it can cause miscarriage.

Hydrangea

All parts of this beautiful garden and houseplant contain cyanogenic glycosides. Admiring, touching, and smelling the flowers is permitted, but avoid even accidental ingestion of hydrangea sap. Poisoning causes excessive sweating, impaired circulation, stomach pain, itching, nausea, and muscle weakness.

Monstera

There's a lot of negative information about monstera. However, it's only dangerous if a person tries to extract its juice and then apply it to the skin, mucous membranes, or ingest it. The active ingredients in its composition severely "burn" the mouth, causing intense salivation and inflammation. When ingested, they cause internal discomfort, vomiting, intestinal inflammation, and even gastric bleeding.

Pachypodium lamerii

Another dangerous succulent. Also known as the Madagascar palm, it contains a poisonous milky sap in all parts. Because the trunk is very thorny, the leaves growing in a cluster at the top remain easily accessible.

The sap inside the human body causes vomiting and diarrhea. This can also cause dizziness, convulsions, and even respiratory arrest. Therefore, the Madagascar palm should not be kept in areas with children.

Names of flowers that cause skin irritation

Contact with some houseplants can cause skin irritation.

Persian cyclamen

This delicate flower has long been used in folk medicine. Even today, nasal drops of its juice are recommended for sinusitis. However, if the mixture isn't diluted with water, this treatment can be harmful.

The juice contains highly toxic substances: it can burn the mucous membranes, causing fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. The tuber contains the most toxic substances. When it comes into contact with the skin, the juice can cause intense irritation and inflammation.

Dieffenbachia

When handling the evergreen dieffenbachia, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, as it is poisonous and causes dermatitis (inflammatory skin lesions). Ingestion of the sap, especially from the stem, causes burns and swelling, and disrupts the digestive and respiratory systems.

Cacti

The danger primarily comes from the spines, as a prick can result not only in pain but also in a minor abscess (as with a common splinter). Depending on the species, cacti contain various biologically active substances. Some may have hallucinogenic properties.

Spathiphyllum

Spathiphyllum (commonly known as "women's happiness") is grown for several reasons. Among them are its graceful appearance and its ability to absorb harmful particles from the air. However, contact with any part of it can cause harm.

Contact with the sap can cause rashes and long-lasting wounds. Eating a piece of the plant can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and esophagus, severe stomach pain, and indigestion. It can also cause respiratory inflammation.

Poinsettia

This beautiful member of the Euphorbiaceae family is nicknamed the "Christmas star." People with latex allergies should handle this star with protective hands, as its milky sap can irritate the skin. Contact with the eyes can cause a corneal burn.

Anthurium

Not only can "women's happiness" (spathiphyllum) be deceptive, but so can "men's happiness" (anthurium). This is all thanks to oxalates—salts of oxalic acid. When in contact with skin and mucous membranes, the sap is irritating, possibly causing burns and ulcers (depending on the person's allergy susceptibility). The presence of any part of the flower in the mouth causes swelling and burns.

Plumeria

It has a wonderful scent, reminiscent of various aromas: jasmine, lily of the valley, gardenia, citrus, and spices. However, the tree is very beautiful and has poisonous sap that causes a burning sensation and allergic reactions when it comes into contact with the skin.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Every plant has its own strengths and weaknesses. During the course of evolution, in the struggle for survival, some species developed their own defense mechanisms, including toxicity. This hidden quality can affect the human body externally and internally. It's important to be aware of this before handling any indoor plant.