Plants to Keep Out of Reach of Pets and Young Children 🌱🚫

Dan
Jan 24
4 min read

Many popular houseplants add beauty and life to our homes, but some can be toxic if ingested by curious pets or little ones. While these plants are safe to grow indoors, it’s important to place them where paws and hands can’t reach. Here’s a list of common toxic plants, plus tips for keeping your indoor jungle safe for everyone.

1. Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) 🧀🌱

With its unique, split leaves, Monstera Deliciosa is a striking plant, but it’s toxic to both cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and discomfort.

Symptoms: Mouth and throat irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing.
Tip: Place it on a high shelf or use a plant stand, especially if you have curious pets or kids.

2. Philodendron (All Types) 🌿

Philodendrons are a favourite for their heart-shaped leaves and low maintenance, but unfortunately, they’re toxic to pets and children. These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation and stomach upset.

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, and mouth irritation.
Tip: Hang philodendrons in a basket or place them on a high shelf to keep them out of reach.

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) 🌸

Peace Lilies are gorgeous and help purify the air, but they contain compounds that can irritate the mouth and throat if ingested. They’re especially toxic to cats and dogs, causing symptoms if even a small piece is consumed.

Symptoms: Drooling, mouth irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Tip: Keep Peace Lilies in an area where pets and children can’t access them, like a closed office or high shelf.

4. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) 🌱

Pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors, but it can be toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalates, which cause discomfort if chewed or swallowed.

Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, and stomach upset.
Tip: Let Pothos trail from a high spot or in a hanging planter where pets and children can’t reach.

5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) 🐍

Snake Plants are known for their air-purifying qualities and easy care, but they contain saponins, which can be toxic to cats, dogs, and children if eaten.

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, and digestive upset.
Tip: Keep Snake Plants in places that aren’t accessible, like office shelves or hanging pots.

6. Aloe Vera 🌵

Aloe Vera is popular for its soothing gel, but the plant itself can cause stomach upset if ingested by pets. The gel is generally safe for humans, but cats and dogs can react to certain compounds in the plant’s outer leaf.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy in pets.
Tip: Keep aloe on high windowsills or shelves, and be mindful if you have curious pets.

7. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) 🍃

Dieffenbachia, or Dumb Cane, has beautiful variegated leaves, but it’s highly toxic if ingested, causing intense oral and throat irritation. Pets and children are especially sensitive to the plant’s calcium oxalate crystals.

Symptoms: Drooling, difficulty swallowing, intense mouth irritation, and swelling.
Tip: Place Dieffenbachia in a plant stand that keeps it away from curious hands and paws.

8. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) 🌿

The ZZ Plant is prized for its shiny, resilient leaves and low care needs, but it contains calcium oxalate crystals, making it toxic if consumed.

Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and upset stomach.
Tip: Set ZZ plants on high shelves or in rooms that pets and young children can’t access.

9. Caladium (Elephant Ear) 🌱

Caladium plants are known for their vibrant colours, but they can cause severe irritation if ingested. These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals and can cause intense discomfort.

Symptoms: Swelling and burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, drooling.
Tip: Due to their large leaves, Caladiums are best kept out of reach entirely—consider keeping them in closed-off areas.

10. Jade Plant (Crassula) 🌵

Jade Plants are popular succulents, but they’re toxic to pets if ingested. Their toxicity isn’t well understood, but they can cause digestive upset in both dogs and cats.

Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, and possible depression in pets.
Tip: Place Jade Plants in elevated, unreachable areas or hang them where pets and young children can’t climb to them.

Tips for Keeping Toxic Plants Safe in the Home

Use Hanging Planters and High Shelves: Keep plants out of reach by hanging them or placing them on high shelves that pets and children can’t access.
Create a Designated “Plant Zone”: If possible, set up a room or area where plants can thrive away from curious hands and paws, such as an office or study.
Use Barriers: Use decorative barriers or furniture arrangements to block off plant areas in your home.
Teach Boundaries: With older children, teaching them not to touch plants can be effective. For pets, try using pet deterrent sprays around plant areas (but not directly on the plants).
Consider Pet-Safe Alternatives: If your plants are in high-traffic areas, swap out toxic plants for pet-safe options like spider plants, Boston ferns, and parlor palms.

By choosing safe locations and taking precautions, you can keep these beautiful but toxic plants in your home without worry. Just a few mindful arrangements and a little extra care will allow you to enjoy your greenery safely. 🌿