Devin Jacobs
It’s easy to get charmed by beautiful houseplants, but not every plant thrives indoors. Some plants can outgrow your space, be harmful, or simply prefer the outdoors. Let’s look at a list of 15 common houseplants that might cause more harm than good when kept inside your home.
Ficus Trees
Ficus trees, specifically Ficus benjamina (weeping fig), may seem like great indoor accents, but they grow quickly and can reach over 10 feet tall. Their aggressive roots can damage floors and walls. Instead, opt for a smaller variety to maintain indoor greenery without the potential issues.
Peace Lilies
Though admired for their striking white blooms, Peace Lilies pose risks to pets and children. Their sap can cause skin irritation and ingestion, leading to slight toxicity that causes nausea or difficulty swallowing. Peace Lilies may brighten a home, but they’re best kept in homes without curious members.
English Ivy
Known for its climbing beauty, ivy can become a problem indoors with its aggressive growth and toxicity to humans and pets. Its fast spread requires constant trimming, and contact can cause dermatitis in some people. To avoid these issues, it’s better suited as an outdoor ground cover.
Aloe Vera
Although aloe vera is praised for its soothing gel, it’s not a plant you want in every home. It prefers direct sunlight and well-drained soil, which can be tricky to achieve indoors. Excessive wetness may cause the roots to decay, making this outdoor sun-lover a finicky houseguest.
Boston Ferns
While beautiful with their lush fronds, Boston ferns can be challenging to maintain. They survive in high humidity and require frequent misting. In dry home environments, they quickly turn brown and shed excessively. To keep them happy, consider placing them in a greenhouse to meet their moisture needs.
Sago Palms
Despite their tropical look, Sago Palms are highly dangerous to pets and humans. Even contact with their sharp leaves can cause irritation. Compounds like cycasin pose serious health risks; ingesting any part may lead to severe gastrointestinal distress and liver damage, with pets facing particularly fatal consequences.
Philodendrons
Philodendrons are favorites because of their air-purifying qualities, but they tend to spread quickly and require constant pruning indoors. Additionally, they contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. They cause discomfort for humans and are harmful to pets, making them a questionable choice for households.
Rubber Plants (Ficus elastica)
Choosing a Rubber Plant for indoor gardening may seem appealing, but its rapid growth, reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet, can quickly overwhelm small spaces. While generally low-maintenance, the sticky latex sap poses risks for those with sensitivities and may stain furniture. Rubber plants also require regular pruning.
Oleander
Nerium oleander is as bad as it is beautiful. Consuming any part of the plant might result in serious health problems, including mortality. This plant’s bright flowers might tempt homeowners, but its extreme toxicity means it should remain strictly an outdoor feature far away from people and pets.
Dumb Cane
Dieffenbachia, or “Dumb Cane,” gets its nickname from the numbing effect it has if chewed. It’s a stunning plant with variegated leaves, but its harmful nature poses a real danger, especially for kids or pets. Containing lethal calcium oxalate crystals, ingestion results in painful symptoms like swelling.
Jade Plant
Symbolizing prosperity, the popular succulent can frustrate indoor gardeners with its slow growth and risk of overwatering, leading to root rot. Jade plants are toxic to pets and children. Ingestion can cause vomiting and lethargy. Even handling the plant may trigger skin irritation for sensitive individuals.
Pothos
While often seen as a low-maintenance option, pothos poses risks with its calcium oxalate crystals and causes discomfort if ingested. Its aggressive growth can quickly overwhelm spaces, while pests like mealybugs may invade. Careful light management is essential to prevent leggy growth or scorched leaves.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
This trendy plant is beautiful but notoriously difficult to maintain. It craves consistent humidity and bright, indirect light; even a slight environmental shift can result in leaf drop. Fiddle Leaf Figs can quickly outgrow small spaces and dislike drafts and irregular watering.
Croton
This plant dazzles any space with vibrant, variegated leaves in shades of pink, yellow, red, and orange. However, its sap poses risks, causing skin irritation and severe gastrointestinal distress when ingested. It’s best suited for outdoor patios requiring bright light and high humidity.
Snake Plants
Commonly called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Snake Plants, known for their striking leaves, might not be the best indoor companions. Their mild toxicity stems from saponins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation. While low-maintenance, their tendency to grow big and attract pests requires careful attention.