Home Gardening House Plants 6 Common Houseplants That Are Actually Toxic to Pets and Kids Take extra caution before welcoming these plants into your home. By Alyssa Longobucco Published on September 09, 2024 Close Photo: Bogdan Kurylo/Getty Images If you consider yourself an adventurous plant parent, you’re probably game to grab any exotic plant you spot at the nursery and grant it a spot in your home. And, in many instances, that can lead to especially cool results. A Venus flytrap to keep the kitchen fly-free? Yes, please. A staghorn fern mounted above the bed? Sign us up. Still, there are some plants that you should avoid bringing into your home to keep your animal and human inhabitants safe. “Educate yourself on a plant’s toxicity levels and decide whether you’re comfortable with that plant in your home,” suggests Paris Lalicata, head of Plant Education and Community at The Sill. “Yes, some plants are toxic—often only in very large quantities—to pets and/or humans, but that doesn’t have to mean they’re off limits. Lalicata says you can easily enjoy the beauty of toxic plants while keeping pets and little ones safe with a few simple precautions. This could include keeping the plants high up and out of reach or creating a plant-specific room or area in your home that's off limits to pets and children, she says. Below, we’re rounding up a selection of toxic plants you should be careful bringing into your home. If you have curious pets or young kids around, you may even want to skip them altogether, if only for the peace of mind. Paris Lalicata, head of Plant Education and Community at The Sill Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, the plant expert behind the blog The Houseplant Guru Krystal Duran, the plant expert behind the blog Plants With Krystal 01 of 06 Sago Palm Olga Peshkova/Getty Images “Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) are toxic to animals and humans, especially the seeds,” explains Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, the pro behind The Houseplant Guru. “They have a toxic compound called cytosine which, if ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or worse.” If you think a pet or human has ingested any part of a sago palm, Steinkopf recommends seeking medical treatment immediately, noting that the leaves are also spiky and can puncture the skin if not handled properly. 02 of 06 Dieffenbachia Ali Majdfar/Getty Images Sometimes also referred to as dumb cane or leopard lily, these popular tropicals have qualities that make them mildly toxic to both humans and pets. “This common houseplant found at local garden centers contains calcium oxalate,” says Krystal Duran, the pro behind Plants With Krystal. “When handled without gloves, this calcium can irritate the skin and cause a tingling sensation that’s similar to bee stings. Consuming this plant can also cause adverse symptoms, the most serious of which include mouth blisters, diarrhea, respiratory failure, loss of speech, and death.” 03 of 06 Poinsettia Clive Nichols/Getty Images The classic holiday plant may look beautiful, but you’re better off opting for a faux version if you have pets (or kids) that tend to nibble out of curiosity. “Poinsettias have a milky substance called latex in their leaves and stems,” says Steinkopf. “This can cause skin irritation and burning in your mouth if ingested, though it is rarely fatal." Getting this substance in your eyes, however, can be very bad news. "It can cause blindness—which is rare—but it will irritate them at the very least,” Steinkopf says. 04 of 06 Pencil cactus yotrak/Getty Images Turns out, it’s not just those needle-like spikes you have to worry about when it comes to cacti. “This plant can be found at your local plant shops and plant nurseries, so shop with caution," says Duran. "Its white milky sap is toxic to humans and animals and can cause severe irritation to the skin. If the sap gets into your eyes, it can cause irritation and even blindness.” 05 of 06 Philodendrons krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images One of the most common houseplants, quirky philodendrons come in many varieties, making them a popular choice for newbie and veteran growers alike. Still, you should take care when deciding whether or not to bring one into your home, pros suggest. “Philodendrons are another plant that contains calcium oxalate,” explains Steinkopf. “The calcium oxalate is called a raphide, which acts like a small needle. If the plant is ingested, it will cause mouth irritation and swelling from those raphides—most often this isn’t fatal, but better safe than sorry." She adds that handling the plant and getting the sap on your skin can also cause skin irritation.” 06 of 06 Ivy Getty Images If you’re looking to bring visual interest to a sprawling wall or high ceilings, many plant pros will suggest a varietal of ivy, which grows quickly and can often fill mass areas well. While the plant is generally considered safe, it’s a good idea to keep it out of reach of pets or children and avoid placing it anywhere where guests or inhabitants are likely to brush up against it frequently. The reason? The plants tend to secret a sap when cut or crushed that turns black or brown when exposed to air. “The sap from ivy contains falcarinol which can cause contact dermatitis,” says Steinkopf. “Use gloves when handling ivy, especially if pruning the plant or handling damaged vines.” Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit