Indoor plants can make a Texas home feel lively and fresh, but some come with hidden risks. I’ve seen beautiful greenery cause unexpected issues, from itchy skin to sneezes that just won’t quit.
Knowing which plants might be trouble can save a lot of headaches. These 13 indoor plants deserve a closer look before bringing them into your home.
1. Philodendron
These popular tropical beauties contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause painful burning and swelling if eaten. In Texas homes, where central air keeps them thriving year-round, they’re particularly common.
Symptoms include irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, plus difficulty swallowing. Keep these plants elevated in your Dallas apartment or Houston townhome to prevent accidents.
2. Pothos
Often mistaken for philodendrons, these trailing vines pack a similar toxic punch with calcium oxalate crystals. The golden and marble varieties brighten up many Austin homes but should be kept away from curious mouths.
When ingested, they cause immediate burning sensation and swelling. Texas pet owners should be especially cautious, as cats and dogs may chew on the dangling vines that make this plant so appealing.
3. Peace Lily
Despite their innocent name and air-purifying benefits, peace lilies contain compounds that irritate mucous membranes. Their elegant white blooms grace many San Antonio living rooms, but they hide a toxic secret.
Chewing any part causes immediate pain and potential swelling of the airway. In the humid Texas climate where these plants thrive especially well, keeping them out of reach becomes even more important for homes with children or pets.
4. Sago Palm
Don’t let their prehistoric charm fool you – these plants are among the most dangerous indoor species. Every part contains cycasin, but the seeds are especially toxic, causing liver failure in pets who might find them interesting to chew.
Popular in Texas homes for their drought-tolerance and architectural appeal, they’re particularly risky. Houston veterinarians report several cases of sago palm poisoning each year, making them a serious concern for Lone Star pet owners.
5. Dieffenbachia
Nicknamed “dumb cane” because eating it can temporarily affect speech, this striking plant contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals. The sap causes immediate burning and swelling of the mouth and throat when contacted.
In warm Texas climates, these plants grow especially lush and attractive. Fort Worth homeowners appreciate their ability to thrive in low light, but families should consider safer alternatives if small children or pets share the space.
6. Oleander
Sometimes kept as container plants on Texas patios or sunrooms, oleanders contain cardiac glycosides that affect heart rhythm. Just a few leaves can be fatal if ingested, making them especially dangerous around children.
The beautiful pink or white flowers belie their toxic nature. In El Paso’s warm climate, these Mediterranean natives thrive, but their popularity has waned as awareness of their toxicity has increased among Texas gardeners.
7. Caladium
The stunning patterned leaves make caladiums irresistible, but they contain calcium oxalate crystals similar to philodendrons. When chewed, these crystals cause immediate pain, swelling, and potential breathing difficulties.
Their colorful foliage brightens many Corpus Christi homes, especially during humid summers. Texas plant enthusiasts love their tropical look, but households with curious pets or small children should display them well out of reach.
8. Lily of the Valley
These delicate bell-shaped flowers contain over 30 cardiac glycosides that disrupt normal heart function. Even the water they sit in becomes toxic, making them particularly dangerous in homes with cats.
Though not native to Texas, they appear in many Plano flower arrangements and sometimes as potted plants. Their sweet fragrance makes them appealing, but the severe cardiac symptoms they can cause make them one of the riskiest indoor plants.
9. English Ivy
This classic trailing plant contains triterpenoid saponins that can cause skin irritation and digestive upset if ingested. The leaves are particularly toxic, causing redness, blistering, and sometimes breathing difficulties.
Many Lubbock homeowners use English ivy as indoor decor, appreciating how it thrives in Texas’s varying indoor temperatures. Its ability to filter formaldehyde makes it popular, but its risks to children and pets shouldn’t be overlooked.
10. Elephant Ear
These dramatic plants with massive leaves contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate pain upon contact with mouth tissues. The oversized foliage makes them statement pieces in many Texas homes.
Particularly popular in humid Beaumont interiors where they thrive, their tropical appearance comes with risks. Texas gardeners often bring these plants indoors during winter, creating seasonal hazards for households with pets or young children.
11. Dracaena
These popular spiky plants contain compounds toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs. Saponins in the leaves can cause vomiting, excessive drooling, and dilated pupils if ingested by animals.
Their drought-tolerance makes them favorites in Amarillo homes, where the dry Texas climate often challenges houseplants. While relatively safe for humans, households with four-legged family members should consider alternative indoor greenery.
12. Jade Plant
These popular succulents contain unknown toxins that cause vomiting, depression, and uncoordinated movements in pets. Their low-maintenance nature makes them common in Texas apartments and offices.
Thriving in the dry indoor air of many Waco homes, jade plants require minimal care. Texas plant lovers appreciate their longevity and symbolic connection to prosperity, but should keep them elevated away from curious pets.
13. Amaryllis
These stunning flowering bulbs contain lycorine, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors if ingested. Popular as holiday gifts, they often find permanent homes in Texas households after their dramatic blooms fade.
The bulbs are particularly toxic compared to the flowers. In Galveston’s coastal homes, these plants are often displayed during winter holidays, making them a seasonal concern for Texas families with curious children or pets.