Checklist with 20 indoor plants: poisonous plants for children and babies

Plants are not only useful, but also an appealing ornament and are part of your well-being. However, caution is advised, as not all crops are non-toxic. Species such as the deadly cherry, yew and the foxglove are among the most important poisonous plants in Germany and even children known. However, many people bring houseplants into the house that are particularly toxic to children and babies and can lead to death in severe cases of poisoning.

houseplants

Children at risk

Why are children at greater risk?

In the household it is no problem for adults and even teenagers to understand why certain plants may not be touched or even put in the mouth. This knowledge is not understandable for small children, especially babies, and pets, because newborns explore their world with their hands and their sense of taste. It does that Life dangerous as such a small organism when houseplants are poisonous and within reach, since the first reaction is the grasping or tasting of the leaves, flowers and fruits. For this reason, it is essential to know which plants are poisonous in the house.

Poisonous houseplants

The following crops are species that are tolerated quite well by adult humans, but can sometimes strongly poison children. Many parents do not even know that they bring plants with daffodils or poinsettias that have the potential to poison their children. It is the leaves, bulbs, bulbs, flowers or roots that are consumed or touched. If you are unsure whether you have poisonous houseplants at home, check the list below.

Plants from A to D

Cyclamen (bot. Cyclamen)

As magnificent as cyclamen may be, it is poisonous. Consuming 0.3 grams of the tuber of the plant can lead to symptoms of intoxication in adult humans, higher doses lead to death. The tuber is particularly poisonous for babies, but high amounts of leaves also lead to the following symptoms.

nausea
diarrhea
severe stomach pain, babies usually cry because of this
Vomit
sweats
dizziness
cramps
if not treated, death from consumption of the tuber

Cyclamen, cyclamen

Azalea (bot.Rhododendron simsii and others)

Azaleas have it all. Just as the rhododendron is poisonous, so are the azaleas. All parts of the plant are poisonous and due to their attractive colors they are often eaten. Possible consequences are described below.

Digestive system becomes inflamed
convulsion
nausea
Vomit
diarrhea
strong sweats
impaired heart activity

Zimmerazalee

Primroses (bot. Primula obconica)

Also a small, nondescript poison package. With the beautiful cup primroses, all parts of the plant are also poisonous and small children should not even touch them, otherwise it can cause skin irritation and inflammation. When consumed, the digestive tract is particularly affected and possible diarrhea and pain occur.

Primrose, Primula obconica

Buntwurz (bot. Kaladium)

An appealing plant with interesting leaf colorations, which can lead to death even after eating small amounts of leaves. Other symptoms include an irritated oral cavity, stomach pain, balance problems, seizures and tremors, and respiratory arrest. The effect is similar to Zantedeschien.

Colored roots, caladium, caladias

Christ thorn (bot.Euphorbia milii)

The Christthorn belongs to the poisonous milkweed family, just like the poinsettia, and forms a milky sap which, when consumed, irritates the mucous membranes. The milk juice causes skin irritation when touched. Special care should be taken when toddlers wipe their eyes after touching the milk juice, as this can be extremely painful.

Dieffenbachia (bot. Dieffenbachia seguine)

Dieffenbachia is a particularly poisonous plant. Young children should never touch these plants, as they shoot needles and poison when they are touched, which is aimed primarily at the face. It becomes particularly dangerous if it is consumed. Possible symptoms are the following.

Eye burns
Skin and eye irritation
cramped eyelids >

Dieffenbachia camilla, Dieffenbachia

Plants from E to F

Efeutute (bot. Epipremnum aureum)

This arum plant is often cultivated as a houseplant and is easy to reach for children and even babies due to the numerous leaves. Symptoms of intoxication when consumed include increased salivation and difficulty swallowing, as well as vomiting and diarrhea.

Efeutute

Single leaf (bot.Spathiphyllum)

Also an arum plant and very irritating to the mucous membranes. They also swell. Possible symptoms of consumption are vomiting and diarrhea.

A leaf

Window leaf (bot. Monstera)

Monstera is non-toxic, but babies can be poisoned by eating the leaves. They are not as poisonous as cyclamen, but swallowing occurs in combination with a swollen tongue.

Cheese Plant

Flamingo flower (bot. Anthurium)

The flamingo flower is very popular due to its unique bloom and toddlers are fascinated by the appearance of the plants. The houseplants are very poisonous and should not be touched as they have a defense mechanism. If they are touched, they lead the poison into the skin via microscopic needles. Then redness and quite large blisters appear on the skin.

Anthurium, flamingo flower

Plants from G to N

Rubber tree (bot. Ficus)

Ficus is also not non-toxic and should therefore be banished from close proximity to babies. Poisoning is only possible here if your offspring eats the white milk juice inside the leaves and branches. The result is stomach upset and possible vomiting, rare diarrhea.

gum

Kalanchoe

These thick leaf plants attract children through their deep coloring, but should never be consumed. Kalanchoe has a poison that makes children suffer from spastic muscle contractions.

Flaming Käthchen, Kalanchoe

Coral trees (bot. Erythrina)

The berries of the houseplants are extremely tempting to the little mouths, but the fruits of these plants must never be consumed. In extreme cases, the child’s breathing can be impaired to such an extent that it stops breathing altogether. Normal symptoms of the coral tree are vomiting, nausea and gastrointestinal complaints.

Coral shrub, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Erythrina

Lilies (bot. Lilium)

All plant parts of the popular houseplants are poisonous and, due to their shape, quickly end up in the sprouts’ mouth. Nevertheless, the symptoms of poisoning only start after a large amount of plant parts have been consumed, including loss of appetite, weakness and vomiting.

Lily

Daffodils (bot. Narcissus)

Daffodils belong to spring like catkins and tulips. The daffodils are the favorite par excellence and babies in particular are often exposed to these plants and could swallow parts of the plant that are all poisonous. Possible symptoms are the following.

strong sweats
Vomit
diarrhea
stomach discomfort
paralysis may occur when consuming large amounts

daffodils

Plants from R to S.

Knight’s Stars (bot. Amaryllis)

Knight’s stars are also poisonous, but far from being as malignant as the dieffenbachia. Young children should not eat the amaryllis bulbs, just like the flowers and leaves, although the bulb has the greatest effect. The symptoms here include racing heart, dizziness, excessive sweating and vomiting. If the leaves and flowers are touched, skin irritation occurs.

amaryllis

Crown of Glory (bot. Gloriosa superba)

Because of their spectacular appearance, children are fascinated by the crown of fame, which is, however, a ticking time bomb. It contains the toxin colchicine, which is found in the autumn timeless, for example, and is fatal even in small quantities. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but leaves and flowers are most often swallowed, which can lead to the following symptoms.

nausea
dizziness
palpitations
diarrhea
Vomit
Rash as soon as the plant set is touched
Fainting, in extreme cases until death

Crown of Fame, Gloriosa superba

Radiation aralia (bot. Schefflera)

The leaves of these small trees are very uncomfortable for the young when consumed. Irritation of the mucous membranes, followed by loss of appetite and violent vomiting.

Ray aralia, Schefflerie, Schefflera arboricola

Plants with W

Poinsettia (bot.Euphorbia pulcherrima)

It is also non-toxic on all sides known and not popular poinsettia. Here all parts of the plant are poisonous, but only the consumption leads to poisoning. In particular, the mucous membranes in the mouth are irritated and can lead to unpleasant pain, which is expressed in babies especially in crying and violent crying.

Christmas star

Desert rose (bot. Adenium obesum)

Desert roses are still an insider tip for houseplant enthusiasts, but you should be aware of the toxicity of the dog poison plant if you have children. The flowers and the milky sap are the dangerous parts of the plant and lead to irritation of the mucous membranes, discomfort in the stomach and intestinal area, cramps and disturbances of the cardiovascular system up to possible respiratory failure when consumed.

Desert rose, Adenium obesum

Tip: If you have one of the poisonous plants mentioned above, you should remove it immediately or place it in such a way that even children of kindergarten or elementary school age cannot access it.