15 toxic houseplants you should AVOID – plus safer alternatives

Hazardous houseplants and what you should grow instead

Keeping plants at home has myriad benefits, with research showing they can be good for our stress levels and mental health, and can even help speed up recovery from illness or injury. But before splashing on a pot or three for your home, bear in mind that not all houseplants equal health and happiness.

Read on as we reveal the houseplants that are toxic for both humans and pets – and suggest which safe alternatives you should buy instead.

If ever in doubt about which of your plants are safe, or if you’re worried about a pet or child accidentally consuming a toxic plant, consult a vet or doctor for advice.

Toxic plant: peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

With its thick green leaves and white blooms, the peace lily is an attractive houseplant. Native to South America, the peace lily got its name thanks to its resemblance to the white flags of peace and is known for its air-purifying qualities.

However, despite its peaceful name, this houseplant has some toxic downsides. Peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are mildly poisonous to pets and humans and can cause everything from nausea to difficulty breathing if ingested.

Safe swap: orchids (Phalaenopsis)

A popular choice for gifts, moth orchids are the most common indoor orchids. They’re a great choice for a safe, easy-to-grow and long-lasting houseplant. They have the same good looks and air-purifying qualities as the peace lily without any of the toxicity.

Best of all, they can keep growing and flowering for up to 20 years without much maintenance: simply keep them in good light and warmth, water them weekly and re-pot them every one to two years.

Toxic plant: jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Most of us will take any luck where we can get it, which is why the jade plant is such a popular succulent. Believed to bring prosperity and good luck, this plant is native to Southern Africa and is easy to look after. However, make sure it’s kept away from youngsters, as the toxins within the plant can be dangerous causing skin irritation in adults and fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten by pets or children.

Safe swap: Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides)

But if you’re not ready to give up on the thought of a plant bringing you good fortune, don’t despair! Instead, try a Chinese money plant, or Pilea peperomioides, which, as you may have guessed from its name and its coin-shaped leaves, symbolises prosperity.

As well as hopefully helping your bank balance, this handsome plant purifies the air, is low-maintenance and grows quickly and easily. They also produce lots of baby plants at the base, which you can re-pot and gift to friends.

Toxic plant: poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Stealing the show in festive months, the eye-catching poinsettia is a Christmas favourite. The plant, which is indigenous to Mexico and Central America, is affordable and attractive. But if it's accidentally ingested, it can cause mild but unpleasant symptoms such as skin irritation and stomach upset, so it’s best kept on a high shelf out of reach of children or pets.

Safe swap: Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)

Another Christmassy plant that’s just as festive is the Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera. Native to the tropical rainforests of southern Brazil, this pretty plant bears bright flowers (usually around the holidays), can reflower every year given the right care, and is said to symbolise resilience and strength. Plus, it's perfectly safe for kids and canine companions.

Toxic plant: elephant's ears (Alocasia)

Alocasias or elephant's ears are beautiful to look at thanks to their large heart-shaped leaves, often deep green with prominent veins, and tropical appearance. Originally from Asia, elephant's ears do best in warm and humid environments and require regular watering to keep soil moist.

However, if accidentally eaten, this plant is poisonous to pets and children thanks to its calcium oxalate crystals. It can cause pain and swelling if handled, so best to wear gloves if repotting, and unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, oral irritation and excessive drooling if consumed.

Safe swap: paperplant (Fatsia japonica)

Instead, go for the fatsia japonica, also known as the paperplant. Similar to the alocasia, it's native to Asia – specifically Japan – and boasts impressive glossy leaves with pretty white flowers.

As well as being safe for children and pets, this easygoing houseplant is simple to maintain and can thrive in all kinds of environments, making it an ideal option for beginner plant parents.

Toxic plant: snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

The snake plant is native to West Africa and is a popular houseplant thanks to its low-maintenance nature and decorative appearance.

Despite its popularity, though, the snake plant can be mildly toxic if accidentally eaten by pets or children. Poison in its leaves can cause swelling and numbness of the tongue.

Safe swap: coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)

If you're looking for sleek, minimal foliage, a coconut palm is a great swap. This tall, tropical plant originated in Asia and has been around since 1BC.

The coconut palm thrives in sunlight and warmth, and will do best in a moist environment, so consider regular watering and spritzing. Try an in-room humidifier to help it thrive.

Toxic plant: English ivy (Hedera helix)

A hanging planter looks gorgeous in any home, but think twice before buying the verdant English ivy. While this evergreen perennial may look beautiful and grow quickly, it’s toxic to humans and animals.

The English ivy contains certain toxins that can affect people and pets if they touch or consume the plant, and this can result in some nasty symptoms including allergic reactions, vomiting, breathing difficulties or skin irritation.

Safe swap: string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

For a hanging planter that’s just as attractive – but not toxic or invasive – opt for the string of hearts. Native to South Africa and Zimbabwe, this pretty trailing houseplant has heart-shaped leaves with a marbled pattern and can also bear pink flowers in the summer.

String of hearts looks perfect in a colourful pot on a shelf so that its leaves can cascade down over the sides. Keep it in your kitchen, living room or bedroom for a touch of low-maintenance greenery.

Toxic plant: arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum)

Originating from South America, the beautiful variegated leaves and affordability of the Arrowhead vine make it a popular houseplant. However, the insoluble calcium oxalates found in its leaves are toxic to humans and pets, and can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling and vomiting.

Safe swap: spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

For just as much visual interest – plus none of the toxicity – opt for the spider plant instead. Its narrow, often variegated leaves look great aesthetically, while they require minimal care, making them perfect for the less green-fingered among us.

Best of all, they’re safe for humans and pets, and also act as air purifiers, removing formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air.

Toxic plant: Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)

The Easter lily is native to Japan and is often associated with spring and occasions of sympathy. But despite its good looks, all parts of the Easter Lily are toxic for humans and pets, and everything from its leaves to its pollen can cause unwanted symptoms including dizziness, stomach pain and even collapse if ingested.

Safe swap: vase plant (Guzmania lingulata)

For a plant that’s just as attractive as the Easter Lily, but without any of the toxins, we love the star-shaped flower of the vase plant – also known as a bromeliad. With eye-catching colours giving it aesthetic points and its pet-friendliness, low-maintenance nature and air purifying qualities making it practical, it’s a winner for bringing easygoing beauty into your home.

Toxic plant: sago palm (Cycas revoluta)

If you want to bring the tropical magic of a palm tree to your home, you may have considered the sago palm. But this beautiful plant, originating from South Japan, is toxic for both pets and people: eating even one of its seeds can potentially be life-threatening.

Safe swap: areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)

A much safer option is the stunning areca palm (also known as the butterfly plant), which offers all the leafy beauty without any of the toxicity. This tall, worry-free indoor palm removes impurities from the air and is easy to care for to boot.

Toxic plant: ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The attractive ZZ plant is native to eastern Africa, with its wide, dark leaves making for a stunning green talking point. But despite its popularity as a houseplant, all parts of the Zanzibar gem are poisonous if chewed, and can cause a burning sensation and swelling of the mouth and throat, as well as contact dermatitis.

Safe swap: cast iron plant (Aspidistra)

If you love the look of the ZZ plant’s thick, upright leaves, but want a safer option, go for a cast iron plant instead. This resilient, eye-catching species is native to China and Japan, and is ideal for beginner plant owners as it's almost indestructible, hence its name.

Toxic plant: asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Asparagus ferns look lovely, with delicate foliage that makes them ideal for grouping with other plants, or within an arrangement of flowers.

But as pretty as they are, handle them with care: not only do they have little thorns that can scratch, but they’re also mildly toxic to both humans and pets, with the potential to cause unpleasant gastric symptoms.

Safe swap: maidenhair fern (Adiantum Raddianum Fragrans)

Instead, go for the maidenhair fern, or Adiantum Raddianum Fragrans, which is just as beautiful without the harmful toxins, thanks to its bright, fan-shaped leaves.

This plant loves regular watering and a humid environment to stay looking its best – and in return, it will reward you with purer air, thanks to its ability to strip the air of nasty pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.

Toxic plant: Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

A popular plant commonly seen on Instagram or Pinterest, the Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, gets its name from its cheese-like holes that appear with age.

But although they are a beloved choice for plant lovers, it’s worth bearing in mind that the sap of the Monstera is toxic and can be damaging for humans and pets. So if you are going to have one at home, make sure it’s out of reach of children and animals.

Safe swap: money tree (Pachira aquatica)

For a plant that’s just as Insta-worthy – and is said to bring happiness and good fortune – opt for the money tree instead.

This attractive houseplant is recognisable for its twisted trunk and can grow to staggering heights – up to 18 metres in its native habitat. It’s also notable for how easy it is to take care of in addition to being pet- and child-friendly.

Toxic plant: dragon tree (Dracanea marginata)

The pros of the dragon tree, or dracaena, are that it’s brilliant at purifying the air, it looks beautiful and it’s a doddle to look after. However, the main con is that this plant contains a toxic chemical compound called saponin, which can be harmful to pets and humans.

Safe swap: parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Instead, nurture a parlour palm, also known as Chamaedorea elegans. Like the dragon tree, these palms are great to look at, fuss-free in terms of maintenance and are brilliant at removing nasty pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air  and all without any risks to children or animals.

Toxic plant: Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

If you’re seeking a trailing plant to add pizzazz to your shelves, you may have considered Devil’s ivy (also known as golden pothos).

These appealing plants have heart-shaped, variegated leaves and are low-maintenance to look after but their leaves contain tiny microscopic needle-shaped crystals, which, if accidentally chewed, can have undesirable effects on humans and animals. The sap may also cause a skin rash.

Safe swap: prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

For trailing without the toxins, get a prayer plant, a member of the Calathea family, instead. This attention-grabbing plant has distinctive, veiny leaves, is easy to look after and also purifies the air.

Fun fact: it got its name because of the way its leaves fold together at night, just like hands closed in prayer.

Toxic plant: aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Famous for its skin-healing properties, aloe vera is an evergreen perennial that is synonymous with health and wellness – but despite its positive medicinal reputation and magic at healing burns, aloe vera is actually poisonous if ingested.

Safe swap: zebra cactus (Haworthia fasciata)

A less toxic spiky succulent is the zebra cactus – also known as a cushion aloe. This diminutive houseplant may be small in stature, but it more than makes up for it with the distinctive stripy appearance that gives it its nickname.

The zebra cactus resembles a mini aloe vera and is similarly low-maintenance, however, it is perfectly safe for pets and children.