12 Poisonous Houseplants to Avoid If You Have Kids (PHOTOS)
You've probably seen all of the houseplants in this slide show. They're all lovely -- and they're all poisonous. When I talked with landscaper Lisa Cangialosi of When In Bloom about protecting kids from plants, she told me something a little shocking: Poisonous houseplants can sometimes be more toxic than garden plants. Fortunately, most of them cause so much pain in the mouth your child is not likely to swallow them as well.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep any of these poisonous houseplants in your home at all. Cangialosi recommends you keep them well out of reach of babies and small children. For that matter, you should make sure your pets can't get to these plants, either, as they can be harmful to animals as well.
If your child does happen to eat or taste any of these toxic houseplants, the New York Botanical Garden recommends contacting your local poison control center. Find out how much your child ate and watch for any adverse symptoms.
More from The Stir: 10 Toxic Plants That Could Put Your Child in Danger
How many of these plants do you already have in your home?
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Amaryllis
These flowers come in pink or white as well as red. Eating Amaryllis bulb can irritate the mucous membranes and cause the tongue and lips to swell.
Caladium
Caladium sometimes has a pinker leaf than shown here. It can irritate mucous membranes and cause swelling of the tongue and lips. If swallowed, Caladium can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. If it gets in your eyes, it can damage your cornea.
Flamingo Flower
Eating Flamingo Flower will case an intensely painful burning sensation in your mouth. It also causes swelling, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing.
ZZ Plant
There's some debate as to how toxic ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, really is. We say, play it safe. Better Homes and Gardens recommends wearing gloves when you handle it.