10 Houseplants That Are Slowly Poisoning Your Health

Indoor plants tend to be more and more popular due to people living in small apartments. When decorating their homes, people might end up choosing plants that they should actually be careful of, especially when your health may be at risk.

Here at Bright Side we do understand that having a houseplant brings joy and a little green into our lives, but we also want to keep you and your family safe from becoming intoxicated. Beware: the list of plants below may surprise you!

1. Dieffenbachia

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Even though it has beautiful colored leaves, Dieffenbachia is one of the main plants that may lead to intoxication.

Accidental exposure may cause blisters in the mouth, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, burning sensation on mouth and throat, swelling and pain.

2. Sansevieria

4a2b2356628c7d5b52a9dd9269 © New Africa/ Shutterstock

Sansevieria, popularly known as “snake plant,” is an indoor plant used for house decoration. This plant carries a substance called saponin, which may be toxic if ingested.

Because saponins may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, it is better to keep pets away from it!

3. ZZ Plant

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Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or more commonly called “ZZ plant,” has the potential to cause pain, skin irritation, and swelling if ingested.

If you come into contact with it, rinse the exposed area with running water and contact a medical professional, if necessary.

4. Aloe

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The Aloe plant is has a variety of uses and its presence on this list may surprise you! According to scientists, this plant contains substances that are capable of causing diarrhea, allergies, and kidney problems.

5. Marigolds

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If ingested, Tagetes, which are commonly known as Marigolds, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The sap from the plant may also cause skin rashes.

6. Heartleaf Philodendron

a0079e53aaa7c0d85796f46ce4 © dianakroshilova/ Shutterstock

Philodendron contains a substance called calcium oxalate which is capable of causing pain and swallowing difficulties. Although this plant may seem beautiful, remember to keep pets away from it.

7. Caladium

efe420535aba43e620bb358aba © onairp/ Shutterstock

Its heart-shaped leaves are pretty and may seem welcoming, but beware, this plant can be dangerous and poisonous.

If animals and kids come into contact with Caladium leaves, drooling, and breathing difficulties may be experienced. In these cases, it is best to contact a toxicology specialist or a center that specializes in dealing with poisonings and wash / wipe the affected area.

8. Pothos

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Pothos plants have large, beautifully-shaped leaves that make them very elegant when it comes to household decor. Although this name may seem a bit odd, you’ll probably be familiar with its other name: Devil’s Ivy.

Just like the above-mentioned plants, this plant has substances like calcium oxalate, which may cause irritation to lips, tongue and mouth, excessive drooling and even vomiting.

9. Euphorbia tirucalli

As beautiful as it may seem, Euphorbia tirucalli has a corrosive sap that can cause extreme irritation to skin and eyes. That is why this plant must be handled with extra care with the use of gloves and eye protection.

If the plant comes into contact with the eyes, redness, itching, and burning sensations may occur and even have a negative effect on people’s eyesight.

10. Foxglove

Also known as Digitalis purpurea, this beautiful purple flower is present in ornamental gardens or used as a houseplant.

What few people know is that its leaves, flowers, and even seeds carry a substance known as digoxin which can be fatal to animals and humans who ingest it.

Because of its toxicity, having this plant at home may introduce a pretty high health risk to the people and animals who have to live around it.

Does anything on this list worry you? If yes, and you’d still like to own one of these plants just make sure to keep children and pets away from them and always wear gloves when handling them.

Do you have any of these plants at home? If so, let us know in the comments and share your experience!