What to look for in a Houseplant

Houseplants have many benefits. The not only clean and renew the stale air in our houses, but the exchange the carbon dioxide that we humans exhale and replace it with oxygen, which we need for sustaining life.

Most houseplants were originally from warm climates. They have adapted to needing low levels of light and that makes them suitable to conditions found in an average home. However, indoor plants can have an adverse effect on people and pets. Here are a few of the most popular house plants and what risks they may pose.

Kathy Zengolewicz

The Aloe Vera plant is commonly known as the burn plant. When you use the Aloe Vera plant for a burn, make sure to cut away the skin and the inner layer of yellow juice which can act as an irritant. Only use the gel in the plant to soothe burns.

Chrysanthemums, or Mums as they are commonly known can also work as an irritant. There are two types of Mums, a garden variety which is a hearty plant and an exhibition type which needs a lot of care. You want the garden variety for you house. The Mum has seeds from which an insecticide is extracted. But they are more dangerous to fish than mammals or birds.

Poinsettia are a nursery plant that you mainly see at Christmas time. At one time they were considered extremely toxic, but that was based mainly on hearsay. The Poinsettia plant can make you nauseous and sometime cause a rash if you ingest a leaf.

English Ivy is a vine that grows indoors and out. I has been known to cause poisoning in people and pets. If ingested it can cause difficulty with breathing, convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and coma.

Azalea plants are very popular house plants. They provide foliage all year round with beautiful flowers and they also clean the air we breathe. Again, they can be toxic if a piece of the plant is swallowed.

So, be cognizant where small children and pets are concerned and you will have many years to enjoy the beauty that plants will bring to you.

Take care. I’ll talk to you later!