Safe Plants for Humans & Kids

Non-Toxic for Humans: What This Plant Status Actually Means 

Some plants produce chemical compounds (oxalates, alkaloids, and others) harmful to people. Only plants that don’t have them and can’t cause serious damage are considered safe for humans. 

So, the “non-toxic for people” term refers to a practical category of species that don’t cause skin irritation, poisoning, organ damage, or life-threatening symptoms on contact or even accidental ingestion. 

Note that plants can also be mildly toxic, moderately toxic, and severely toxic. However, even mildly toxic ones require extra caution when it comes to children. They are at greater risk because of their developing physiology and lower body weight. 

How to Choose a Safe Plant for Your Family Home? 

If you want to keep your place safe for your children, avoid species from the Araceae family, which includes many incredibly common options like Peace lily, Heartleaf philodendron, and even Golden pothos. Avoid Laurier rose, Sago palm, and similar high-severity options entirely. Safe plants for kids are completely non-toxic options like Peperomia japonica, Boston fern, and False African violet.

If you know that a child ingested a plant, call poison control and/or emergency depending on the symptoms. To prevent the issue, ensure you know the botanical names of all species in your home, place plants safely, and teach kids about the potential dangers. 

Still, the only way to ensure you have safe species is to check their status before getting them home. You can see the non-toxic options right on this page, so take a look to find something that matches your taste and care style.