Houseplant
Care Guide
House Plant
Water & Light Conditions
Poisonous & Safe
House Plants
House Plant
Descriptions
|
Safe and
Poisonous House Plants This page lists some of the safe
house plants as well as some of the house plants that can be toxic to humans
and possibly animals. The information provided is compiled from the "Know Your
Plants -- Safe or Poisonous?" brochure that is put out by the
California Poison Control
System. For a more detailed list of plants visit the California Poison
Control System web site.
What You Will Find on this Page:
Safe House Plant
List
This is just a partial list of safe house plants. These
plants are generally safe if ingested, though eating them is not recommended.
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| African Violet |
Saintpaulia ionantha |
| Aluminum plant |
Pilea spp. |
| Bamboo |
Bambusa mutiplex |
| Bamboo, Golden |
Phyllostachys aurea |
| Bird of paradise |
Strelitzia reginae |
| Bird's nest fern |
Asplenium nidus |
| Boston fern |
Nephrolepis exaltata |
| Cast iron plant |
Aspidistra elatior |
| China Doll |
Radermachera spp. |
| Christmas Cactus |
Schlumbergera bridgesii |
| Coleus |
Coleus hybridus |
| Corn plant |
Dracaena spp. |
| Dracaena |
Dracaena spp. |
| Goldfish Plant |
Columnea spp. |
| Heart-of-flame bromeliad |
Bromelia spp. |
| Japanese aralia |
Fatsia japonica |
| Lipstick plant |
Aeschynanthus spp. |
| Maidenhair fern |
Adiantum spp. |
| Mosaic plant |
Fittonia spp. |
| Neoregelia bromeliad |
Neoregelia spp. |
| Nerve Plant |
Fittonia spp. |
| Orchids |
Cattleya spp.
Epidendrum spp.
Oncidium
spp.
Paphiopedilum |
| Palms |
Most houseplant palms are nontoxic except
fishtail palm,
Caryota spp. |
| Peperomia |
Peperomia spp. |
| Piggy-back plant |
Tolmiea mensziesii |
| Pink polka-dot plant |
Hypoestes spp. |
| Ponytail plant |
Beaucarnea recurvata |
| Prayer Plant |
Maranta leuconeura |
| Purple velvet plant |
Gynura aurantiaca |
| Rattlesnake plant |
Calathea spp. |
| Spider plant |
Chlorophytum comosum |
| Swedish ivy |
Plectranthus spp. |
| Ti plant |
Cordyline terminalis |
| Yucca |
Yucca spp. |
Toxicity
Class
- Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness
or death. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center or your
doctor.
- Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause
minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. If ingested, call the Poison
Control Center or your doctor.
- Oxalates: The juice or sap of these plants contains
oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can irritate the skin, mouth,
tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties,
burning pain, and stomach upset. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor
if any of these symptoms appear following ingestion of plants.
- Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants
may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap
and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and
painful. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if symptoms appear
following contact with the plants.
Plants that have some
level of Toxicity
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Toxicity Class |
| Amaryllis |
Hippeastrum spp. |
2 |
| Anthurium |
Anthurium spp. |
3, 4 |
| Begonia |
Begonia spp. (some spp.) |
2, 3 |
| Caladium |
Caladium bicolor |
3, 4 |
| Chenille plant |
Acalypha spp. |
2, 4 |
| Chinese Evergreen |
Aglaonema spp. |
3, 4 |
| Croton |
Codiaeum variegatum |
2, 4 |
| Dumb cane |
Dieffenbachia spp. |
3 |
| Fig, Weeping and Fiddle-leaf |
Ficus spp. |
4 |
| Fishtail palm |
Caryota spp. |
3, 4 |
| Nerine |
Nerine spp. |
2, 4 |
| Philodendron |
Philodendron spp. |
3, 4 |
| Poinsettia |
Euphorbia spp. |
2, 4 |
| Pothos |
Epipremnum aureum |
3, 4 |
| Rubber plant |
Ficus spp. |
4 |
| Sago palm |
Cycas revoluta |
2 |
| Schefflera |
Schefflera actinophylla |
2, 4 |
| Snake plant |
Sansevieria spp. |
2, 4 |
| Spathiphyllum |
Spathiphyllum spp. |
3, 4 |
| Split-leaf philodendron |
Monstera deliciosa |
3, 4 |
|
