There are a number of houseplants that contain toxins that children and pets should avoid. There is quite a bit of research out about how plants are great for improving air quality indoors. Philodendron and devils ivy are noted to be plants that can help with air quality, but these two plants can also be dangerous. The Children’s Hospital in Boston has stated that plants are the second leading cause of poisoning in children.

Dieffenbachia is a beautiful tropical plant that many people grow in their homes. Dieffenbachia contain a toxic compound called oxalic acid. This can cause dermatitis, severe eye irritation and damage. Eating Dieffenbachia is even worse, as this plant is also called dumb cane for a reason. You can have swelling in the mouth tongue, and throat. There is typically voice loss also associated with ingestion.

There are a number of house plants that contain oxalic acid. Philodendron and devils ivy (pathos) both also have large amounts of oxalic acid in the form of calcium oxalate. As with the dumb cane, the symptoms of poison with these two plants is the same.

Hydrangeas are a different flowering plant that many people keep in their houses. Since these are larger plants they tend to sit on the floor right where children can get into them. There is a compound called cyanogenic glycoside that hydrangeas contain. When plants containing this are chewed you end up with hydrogen cyanide. Those suffering from poisoning from this compound can suffer from muscle weakness, headaches, gastrointestinal tract issues, and heart problems.

Thought house plants can do great things for your indoor air quality, great care needs to be taken in what plants you decide to place in reach of your children. It is almost impossible to teach a child to keep things out of their mouths.  That is why it is so important to keep all plants out of their reach.

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