Toxic indoor plants you must beware of

The peace lily (below) may lead to death if ingested. Photos by Beatrice Nakibuuka

What you need to know:

Indoor plants enhance the beauty of our rooms, but did you know that some of these plants could lead to death? Experts share indoor plants we need to handle with care.

not every plant is suitable for indoors. Some are harmful and so better placed outdoors.
According to Gloria Kawuma, an interior designer at Habitat Consults, plants that are thorny, for example cactus, do not suit the indoor environment because they are likely to cause accidents.

Peace lily
There are many varieties of peace lily but the “Mauna Loa” lily is the most common indoor ornamental. It is an evergreen perennial plant with glossy leaves and a unique white bloom that rises from a central stalk.
They are shade-loving plants, which makes them ideal for apartments and rooms with little sunlight.
“Peace lilies are excellent air purifiers but can cause painful symptoms and sometimes death if ingested by humans or animals. They cause a burning and swelling of lips, mouth, and tongue, difficulty speaking or swallowing, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea,” says Kawuma.

Dumb canes
The dumb (Dieffenbachia) cane has thick stems and fleshy leaves that are usually solid green, with the occasional yellow or green markings.
This plant is related to the philodendron and contains the same oxalate crystals. It can cause paralysis of the throat and tongue. Some of the sympt include extreme pain in the mouth, salivation, burning sensation, swelling and numbing of the throat.

Elephant ear
According to Rose Nakiwala, a gardener at A and M gardening services, the beautiful, decorative elephant ear (caladium), a bulb plant with long lasting foliage is toxic to both humans and animals. It is a popular houseplant but also suits for outdoor landscaping. They exist in a variety of colours such as red, pink, and white, which makes them an attractive addition to your indoor decor. They grow well in low light, and can sometimes produce blooms similar to those of the calla lily.
Nakiwala says: “Once ingested, symptoms such as painful inflammation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips and throat, difficulty breathing, speaking, swallowing, possible blocked airways that can lead to death, usually occur.”
She adds that the arrowhead plants usually appear bushy with heart-shaped leaves when they are young but the older plants produce climbing stems and arrowhead-shaped leaves.
The leaves are constantly shedding and being regrown, so even if this plant is out of reach, it is a good idea to check often for fallen leaves so that children do not ingest them.

Snake Plant
Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant has long variegated green with hints of white, yellow, and silver leaves.
It is a great plant for purifying air indoors. They also complement an arrangement of softer, bushier plants. However, when ingested, they can cause salivation, nausea and skin reactions.

Ivy
“English ivy is a wonderful indoor plant. It is a charming sight when it creeps over brick walls. Indoors, ivy is hung from baskets creating a romantic, flowing showpiece. Ivy serves as a beautiful and traditional decoration but also removes airborne fecal-matter particles from the air, making it a wonderful asset for homes with pets,” Nakiwala says.
However, if ingested, Ivy can cause severe skin irritation, inflammation in the mouth and throat, convulsions, fever, and rash. The symptoms are only severe if large amounts of the plant are eaten.

Pothos
Pothos (devil’s ivy) is also recommended as one of the best houseplants because of its variegated leaves and air purification abilities. They are easy to propagate and can grow with only the water provision. They, however, can cause serious side effects in animals and people.

Philodendron
Philodendrons are one of the most widely used indoor plants because they are easy to grow. It however contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to humans and animals.
It is very important to keep vining plants hung well out of reach of children or pets and to keep tendrils and leaves trimmed. Non-vining plants should be kept on high window sills or shelves.
Eating them usually has only mild side effects, including a dermatitis reaction and the swelling of the mouth and digestive tract. In rare cases or after ingesting large amounts, there have been fatalities in children.

keep safe

Because some of the indoor plants are potentially dangerous, it does not mean you cannot enjoy them in your home. “Ensure your hanging pots are sturdy enough to support the weight of the plant and if they have any tendrils, keep them (tendrils) out of reach of children by making them climb the chain you used to hang them,” Kawuma warns.
Keep in mind that even non-toxic plants can also be a risk. Children could choke on leaves. Heavy plants can topple, and sharply pointed leaves can stick or cut the hands or mouth.
“It is, therefore, important that you use high shelves and hanging baskets for your plants to keep plants and your loved ones safe from harm, while still achieving for the benefits of the live plants indoors,” she says.