Toxic houseplants: ‘Lethal’ indoor plants to steer clear of if you own a pet

Houseplants come in a wide variety of breeds, colours and sizes, but a few happen to contain chemicals that have unpleasant or even lethal effects. Toxic houseplants can cause irritation of the mouth, vomiting and hypersalivation. If homeowners have cats and dogs who may want to chew or crush plants, either avoid buying these indoor plants or take special care to put them in a safe space where they cannot be reached.  

While the majority of common houseplants are safe to keep in homes and around pets, there are a selected few which can be “lethal”.

Research is an absolute must before purchasing any houseplant, especially for those who own cats or dogs.

Houseplant experts at Flowercard have shared how some houseplants could be “lethal” to pets.

They said: “Many common indoor plants can be harmful to pets, and while most won’t cause more than a stomach upset, some can be lethal. 

“These are some houseplants to steer clear of if you own a pet.”

READ MORE: Mrs Hinch fans share the ‘best’ way to clean venetian blinds

The jade plant is in the rubber tree family and can be toxic to cats and dogs.

ZZ plant

The ZZ plant is one of the most forgiving houseplants to grow for beginner plant enthusiasts. 

The experts added: “The plant is mild to moderately toxic if ingested by pets. 

“The toxins in the plant can cause symptoms including stomach aches and vomiting.”