Many popular houseplants are toxic to humans and pets. Many houseplants contain calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic if ingested or there are some houseplants with milky sap that can cause skin irritation. If you have children or pets at home, it is wise to be aware of which houseplants are toxic and which are safe to have around children. The good thing is you can safely live with toxic houseplants even with children and pets. You just need to keep it out of reach. Here are popular houseplants that are toxic to humans and pets.
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15 Houseplants that are Toxic to Humans and Pet
1. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
Monstera Plant or Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) is a houseplant that is toxic to pets and humans. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of the Swiss Cheese plant because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The crystals can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing.
It is a popular houseplant, coveted for its large green leaves with holes. It gives off a tropical jungle vibe and is often seen in the backdrop of Instagram-worthy photos. The good thing about Monstera plants is they can grow large 6-8 feet tall so if it’s a large plant, which is easy to keep it out of reach from children and pets. However, if you have a small-sized Swiss Cheese plant, keep it off the floor since it is toxic to humans and pets.
| Name | Swiss Cheese Plant |
| Botanical Name | Monstera deliciosa |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light (no direct sun) |
| Water | Medium Water |
| Humidity | Medium Humidity |
2. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is toxic to humans and pets. It is a popular plant with bold, spectacular leaves. Definitely, a go-to plant if you want to make a bold statement. Similar to Swiss Cheese Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig is a tall houseplant that can grow to 8 to 10 feet tall. If it’s a large houseplant, it is easy to keep it out of reach from pets and children. If you have a small Fiddle Leaf Fig, make sure to keep it off the floor since it is toxic to pets and children.
| Name | Fiddle Leaf Fig |
| Botanical Name | Ficus lyrata |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Water | Medium Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is toxic to humans and pets. It is a very popular houseplant known for its thick, fern-like foliage. It is a tough, easy to grow, and low-maintenance houseplant.
Try to keep it off the floor since ZZ plants are toxic to humans and pets. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of the ZZ plant because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The crystals can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing. It can also result in swelling of lips, tongue, and mouth and excessive drooling.
| Name | ZZ Plant |
| Botanical Name | Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, filtered Light but can tolerate low light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Tolerates dry air well |
4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is a toxic houseplant. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of your Snake plant because it contains saponins. Saponins have been used as fish poison! It can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Snake plants are very popular houseplants that are almost indestructible. It is a tough houseplant known for pointy, sword-like leaves.
| Name | Snake Plant |
| Botanical Name | Sansevieria trifasciata |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, filtered Light but can tolerate low light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Tolerates dry air well |
5. Kris Plant (Alocasia sanderiana)
Kris Plant (Alocasia sanderiana) is toxic to children and pets. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing. Don’t let children and pets chew the leaves of your Alocasia sanderiana. Keep it off the floor, out of reach.
Kris Plant is a very popular houseplant with beautifully patterned leaves. It is a houseplant that likes warmer temperatures and can tolerate low-light locations.
| Name | Kris Plant |
| Botanical Name | Alocasia sanderiana |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
6. Zebra alocasia (Alocasia ‘Zebrina’)
Zebra alocasia (Alocasia ‘Zebrina’) is toxic to humans and pets because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips and mouth, and vomiting.
Zebra alocasia has beautifully patterned leaves. It is a houseplant that likes warmer temperatures and can tolerate low-light locations.
| Name | Zebra alocasia |
| Botanical Name | Alocasia ‘Zebrina’ |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
7. Philodendron Selloum (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum formerly called Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
Philodendron Selloum (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum formerly called Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is a popular houseplant with bold, jungle-like foliage. However, it is toxic to humans and pets. Make sure to keep it out of reach of small children and pets. If the leaves are ingested or chewed on, it can cause vomiting, and difficulty breathing and will result in swelling of lips and mouth area.
| Name | Philodendron Selloum |
| Botanical Name | Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum formerly called Philodendron bipinnatifidum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, Filtered Light |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
8. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a unique looking hanging houseplant with strings of cascading green pearls. Children and pets tend to gravitate towards these bead-like pearls but be careful because your String of Pearls is toxic to humans and pets. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of your String of Pearls. It can cause vomiting and an upset stomach.
| Name | String of Pearls |
| Botanical Name | Senecio rowleyanus |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Full Sun but Can Tolerate Bright, Filtered Light |
| Water | Low Water |
| Humidity | Can Tolerate Dry Indoor Air |
9. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is one of the most popular houseplants in the world but be careful if you have children and pets at home. Heartleaf Philodendron is toxic to humans and pets. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which if ingested can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting, and swelling of lips and tongue. The best is to display your Heartleaf Philodendron in a hanging basket or on a high bookshelf so it is safely out of reach from children and pets.
| Name | Heartleaf Philodendron |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hederaceum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, Filtered Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
10. Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is an easy-to-grow houseplant with beautiful, silvery green leaves. However, it is toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, it can cause upset stomach and vomiting. It’s best to keep your Satin Pothos in a hanging basket or on a bookshelf so it is safely out of reach from children and pets.
| Name | Satin Pothos |
| Botanical Name | Scindapsus pictus |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Medium Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
11. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a very popular houseplant with beautiful, shiny, heart-shaped leaves. It is a great beginner’s houseplant because it is easy to grow and almost impossible to kill! However, be aware that Pothos are toxic to humans and pets. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which if chewed on can result in vomiting and difficulty breathing. Keep it perched on a high bookshelf or in a hanging basket, so it is safely away from children and pets.
| Name | Pothos |
| Botanical Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright, Filtered Light or Artificial Light. Can Tolerate Medium Light. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
12. African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)
African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona) is a tall cactus-looking houseplant that is toxic to humans and pets. It produces a milky latex sap that can irritate the skin and eyes of pets and humans. Keep your African Milk Tree away from your pets and children.
| Name | African Milk Tree |
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia trigona |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Medium Light. |
| Water | Low Water |
| Humidity | Can Tolerate Dry Indoor Air |
13. Angel Wing Begonia
Angel Wing Begonia is a houseplant with stunningly attractive foliage. My favorite is the polka-dot leaf Begonia maculata. However, be careful when you have it at home around children and pets because Angel Wing Begonia is toxic to humans and pets. Keep it out of reach from pets and children.
| Name | Angel Wing Begonia |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Avoid Direct Sun. |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
14. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) are holiday flowering houseplants that are toxic to humans and pets. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of your Kalanchoe plant or even drink the water in the vase of the flowers because it contains cardiac glycosides. Cardiac glycosides can cause vomiting, nausea, abnormal heart rhythms, drooling, tremors, dilated pupils, and fatally high levels of potassium. It affects the heart muscle. Keep it away from children and pets!
| Name | Kalanchoe |
| Botanical Name | Kalanchoe blossfeldiana |
| Daytime Temperature | 75 to 85 F (24-30C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Light | Full, Direct Sun |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Tolerates Regular Indoor Air |
15. Caladium (Caladium bicolor)
Caladium (Caladium bicolor) or Elephant Ears, are beautiful houseplants with showy foliage. Beware that Caladiums are toxic to pets and humans because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves because it can cause excessive drooling, mouth swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Keep your Caladium away from pets and small children.
| Name | Caladium |
| Botanical Name | Caladium bicolor |
| Daytime Temperature | 75 to 85 F (24-30C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 65 to 75F (18-24C) |
| Light | Low Light |
| Water | High Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
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