5 Common Houseplants that are Actually Lethal

The proliferation of lovely, well-kept houseplants provides a unique sense of home comfort. Any house plants have the potential to purify the air quality in addition to being attractive.

If you turn your house into a full-fledged botanical garden, though, you might be doing yourself a disservice, as certain traditional house and garden plants are also poisonous. They can pose not only health threats but also life-threatening dangers if not handled properly.

Plants can appear to be harmless, but they may contain some of the most lethal poisons documented. Poisonous plants have been blamed for human deaths throughout history, from Socrates' death from poison hemlock to children accidentally ingesting toxic nightshade.

Here are the most common houseplants that can endanger you, your family, or your pets!

Philodendron

The lovely philodendron is one of the most popular house plants, and it's also one of the easiest to grow. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to humans and animals, and is often the perfect complement to any room.

There are two types of philodendrons: vining and non-vining. Vining plants should be hung far out of sight of children and livestock, and tendrils and leaves should be cut regularly. Plants that do not produce vines should be kept on high window sills or shelves.

Ingestion of philodendron causes only minor side effects in humans, including in young children, such as dermatitis and narrowing of the mouth and digestive tract. There have been deaths in infants in extreme circumstances or after ingesting significant quantities.

According to sources, philodendron has a much more dangerous impact on animals, causing spasms, seizures, suffering, and swelling. It seems to be more poisonous to cats.

Arrowhead

This plant is similar to the philodendron and requires no maintenance. It's sometimes combined with other plants that need equal treatment in dish gardens. A lot of people get arrowhead plants as presents.

Young plants have heart-shaped leaves and are bushy. Climbing stems and arrowhead-shaped leaves are produced by older plants.

Since the leaves are continuously shedding and regrowing, it's a brilliant idea to look for falling leaves all the time.

Lilies

Lilies are one of the most exquisite flowers in the world. These colorful plants are common indoors and out, from the beautifully curved bloom of the calla lily to the seasonal favorite, the Easter lily.

Not all lilies are poisonous, and some are poisonous to animals, including cats. If you're not sure what kind of lily you have, lean on the side of safety and hold lilies out of reach indoors or away from play areas outdoors.

Pothos

The lovely variegated leaves, forgiving nature, and air purification abilities of Pothos Ivy, also known as Devil's Ivy, are what makes them a favorite to many gardeners. Indeed, it is regarded as one of the most effective plants for eliminating pollutants from the air.

It's also simple to grow from cuttings. As a result, they're often sent as starter plants or housewarming presents. They then include multiple plants that have been rooted from the parent plant.

Pothos is only moderately toxic in small doses, but it can have unpleasant and often fatal side effects in both animals and humans.

Oleander

While Nerium oleander appears fragile and innocent, it is incredibly poisonous, and even honey produced from its nectar can cause symptoms.

Adult humans have died from eating as little as one herb, although the bulk of deaths occur when significant numbers are consumed. Oleander plants can be avoided by children, so they are more vulnerable.

Also Read: Weird Nature: 5 of the Most Bizarre Bug Eating Plants on the Planet

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Tags plant, gardening, Houseplant