How Much Do You Know About Poisonous Houseplants?

Calcium oxalate is the primary poison in philodendrons, and all parts of the plant contain it. Additional symptoms of philodendron poisoning include burning eyes and vomiting. Dieffenbachia and caladium – also popular house plants – contain similar toxins and cause comparable symptoms when chewed or eaten.

Bulbs from these plants resemble shallots and garlic, so it’s important to keep them separate from any foods. Eating these bulbs can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and may be fatal if early symptoms are left untreated.

Several species of lily are poisonous to cats, according to the Cat Fancier’s Association. It’s best to keep all lilies out of the reach of your cat. Seek immediate help from your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has been eating lilies.

Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Philodendrons come in many varieties, but the most common type of leaf is heart-shaped.

The toxins in these plants can cause heart and stomach problems in the animals that ingest them. If you suspect that your pet has eaten either of these plants, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, as prolonged exposure to these poisons can cause coma and death.

Eating the leaves of English ivy can cause difficulty breathing, convulsions, vomiting, paralysis, and even coma. The berries are also poisonous, but less so than the leaves.

This attractive and showy houseplant can cause burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as difficulty speaking. If the tongue swells enough, it can block a person’s airway, causing death.

The seeds of the castor bean plant are poisonous to people, animals, and insects, according to Cornell University. Eating even just one seed as an adult can bring on abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, progressing to severe dehydration and low blood pressure; one seed may be enough to kill a child. Children should not be allowed to play with the seeds, because just handling them can cause skin irritation.