Are poisonous houseplants dangerous to health?

Question

Certain houseplants are known to be poisonous. Are they poisonous only if ingested or touched? or are they deadly even just having them around?

Additional Details

I am hoping to add some houseplants to my home to help improve air quality, but since some varieties are known to be poisonous, i am wondering if I should avoid these altogether or if the danger is only by ingestion, and not by possible airbourn secretion of toxins.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

People come into contact with a hazardous substance by one or a combination of three ways. Three routes of exposure are breathing [inhalation], eating or drinking [ingestion], or contact with the skin [dermal contact]. Other than those I suppose you might be put in danger by a plant by high decibel shrieks, stangulation by rapid vine growth or carniverous attack, neither of which seems plausible.

So since you ruled ou ingestion and dermal contact the only thing left is by inhalation.

Bracken ferns put out spores that in high concentration could be toxic to certain people or animals. Likewise, the pollen from some flowering plants might be an allergen to certain people. The chances of death from a severe allergic reaction is very rare.

Even though death by being hit over the head with a begonia in a concrete flower pot is possible, I would have to say that the chances of a houseplant being deadly by just having it around is low to non-existent.

Answer 2

It depends what kind they are. Most are dangerous only when ingested. There are plants that are harmful to the touch (i.e. poison ivy) but I've never heard of anyone using them as houseplants.

Answer 3

They are only posionous if ingested. Almost always a good idea not to have posionous plants in a house with children or pets.

Answer 4

Hopefully, you are just curious, and not considering putting such a thing in your house. If you are, I would like to know this logical theory.