10 kid-friendly houseplants
Non-toxic plants to brighten up your space. Houseplants are the perfect interior element to brighten up a tired space in the house
Because a lot of them air purifying properties and have other health benefits as well, it makes sense to have some lush greenery in the house.
When kids, pets, and or plants get together, things can get messy. When it comes to plants, clutter isn't the only potential disaster. Plants can be poisonous and a danger to your children if ingested.
Choose non-toxic houseplants for your living rooms
If you are concerned about a particular plant in your home, we recommend that you first look up the plant on the Internet. If you still can't figure it out, plan a trip to a local nursery or botanical garden to have the plant identified and the potential risks to your children and pets.
The symptoms of plant poisoning are:
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Burning in the mouth
• Convulsions (fits)
In case of suspected poisoning, contact your doctor or the emergency room.
That said, however, there are plenty of houseplant options that are safe for children and pets to be around. We've rounded up 10 of our favorites for you in the gallery below.
1/10
Jade (Crassula ovata): this plant is safe for children, but toxic to your pets. Easy to care for and easy to harvest. You can cut some off, stick in soil and within a few weeks a new plant will grow. It prefers warm, dry conditions, so you don't need to water too often.
2/10
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera): safe for children and pets. Christmas cactus is a popular choice for home plants. As part of the cactus family, it doesn't need a lot of water or attention, but if you take good care of it, you'll be rewarded with its beautiful flowers during the Christmas season.
3/10
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): this popular plant is non-toxic to both your children and your pets. This slow-growing palm is perfect for indoors as it likes low light and doesn't need a lot of water.
4/10
African Violet (Saint Paulia): Safe for children and your pets, the African Violet is a popular choice for novice gardeners. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, its small size and low maintenance needs make it a great choice for busy families.
5/10
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica): this one is safe for your kids, but toxic for your pets. Super popular with interior designers for its luscious waxy foliage, rubber plants can be found in many modern homes. It likes sunlight and needs some attention, but if you take good care of it, you will be rewarded.
6/10
Snake plant or mother tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata): This is another hardy plant that is safe for children but poisonous to pets, so be careful with placement. This plant is perfect for those whose fingers are far from green. You can basically forget it exists and it will still thrive. Known for its air purifying properties, it is becoming super popular lately.
7/10
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): this super strong plant is safe for children and safe for pets and neither will be able to destroy it.
8/10
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): You will certainly be familiar with this hardy fern. Safe for both children and pets, it adorns many a home. With the rare requirements of needing cool, moist spots with indirect sunlight, it's perfect for the lonely corners of your home.
9/10
Coleus (Plectranthus Scutellarioides): safe for children and pets alike, this hardy little plant is great for kids to grow. Put a cutting of Coleus in water and the roots will sprout for you to replant.
10/10
Begonia (Begonia Obliqua): safe for children and pets, begonias are making a comeback in popularity. You may have had them in your place growing up, and now it's time for them to add a pop of color to your home. There are tons of varieties, but the rhizome and fibrous root are best for indoors.
