So, you’re looking to fill your family’s home with luscious, green plants? Houseplants bring many benefits to our happiness and overall health!
Houseplants have the ability to improve our mood and reduce stress – they’re super pretty to look at and provide great satisfaction to care for. Studies have shown that houseplants also can reduce fatigue, perhaps through the increase in oxygen levels, and additional studies have shown that patients in hospital settings report less post-operative pain when surrounded by plants!
Reduced blood pressure and increased productivity have also been reported in other studies.
It is clear that plants can improve your family’s homelife, however, it is important to pick safe plants to have around young children and pets. Plants can sometimes be toxic and a danger to children if ingested!
Symptoms of plant poisoning can include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, burning of the mouth, and convulsions.
If you suspect plant poisoning, it is important to contact the poisons information line and emergency services!
If you are considering bringing in plants to your home, make sure to identify the plant type before doing so.
With that being said, there are plenty of options for indoor houseplants that are safe to keep around children, pets, or both. Here are our top 10 favorite plants to consider.
Jade (Crassula Ovata)
This plant is safe for children, however, it can be toxic for your pets. Jade plants are easy to care for, preferring warm, dry conditions, so you will not need to water them too often.
Health benefits include improved air quality, reduction in stress levels, increase interior humidity, and also combat allergies.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)
Not only is the Boston Fern beautiful foliage, but it is nontoxic to both children and pets. NASA conducted a study on this plant in which the plant was found to be one of the best at air purification. Other benefits include humidity improvement and noise absorption of up to 2000 Hz. Another cool fact about this plant is that it has the ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene!
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Just like the Boston Fern, this plant is great for children and pets but has great air purification qualities. It also has the ability to remove pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Plus, it is a super easy plant to care for and shoots off babies that plant enthusiasts call “pups”. How cute!
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This plant is safe for children but toxic for plants, so be careful of where you place this plant around the home.
Among one of the easiest plants to care for, you will have to try very hard to kill it.
Health benefits include converting carbon dioxide into oxygen at night (one of the very few plants that have this ability!), removing toxic pollutants, improving allergies, healing skin wounds and burns, providing headache relief, fighting inflammation, and strengthening immune systems!
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
This beautiful plant is also incredibly easy to care for, but requires a little more attention than a spider plant. Another difference is that it is safe for children, yet toxic for pets. Bummer! The plant features lush waxy leaves and brings a boost to your interior spaces that supply good sunlight. The Rubber plant helps fight allergies and is a natural analgesic (anti-inflammatory). It can also promote stomach health, heal insect bites, and more!
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
Safe for both children and pets and a relatively easy plant to care for, the African Violet is the perfect choice for busy families.
You can use this plant in infusions, syrups, honey, salves, and more. African Violets can serve as a mild laxative, wound healing alternative, blood cleanser, and lymphatic stimulant.
Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Non-toxic for both children and pets, this slow-growing plant loves low light and does not need much watering.
Parlour Palms have the ability to remove carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the home and provides more oxygen. Palms are rich in 17 different amino acids, making them dense in protein!
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
The Christmas Cactus is the perfect choice as a house plant as they are safe for both children and pets. It does not need much watering or attention and will even bloom in the winter months!
This plant releases oxygen throughout the night and helps to purify the air as you sleep, making it a great choice to add to any bedroom.
Coleus (Plectranthus Scutellarioides)
Coleus plants are safe for both children and pets and are super hardy, making it hard for little hands to hurt them. Studies have shown that this plant holds numerous pharmacological properties.
It can serve as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, antioxidant, and has been found to be effective against multiple diseases!
Begonia (Begonia Obliqua)
Not only are Begonias beautiful plants to have around the home, but it is a safe plant to have around both children and pets.
This colorful plant also has been praised for its rheumatic remedial abilities, bronchitis and cough treatment, and helps to stop bleeding.
While adding plants to your home can provide many health benefits to you and your entire family, it is important to do your research before growing or purchasing them. Keep your family safe while adding greenery and life to your home this gardening season!