Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

How Much Do You Know About Poisonous Houseplants?

Houseplants help keep your indoor air clean, make a dramatic statement in your interior design, and provide a sense of well-being around the house. But some plants can poison children or pets. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about the safety of common houseplants.

1. One of the most common houseplants in the U.S. is the philodendron. It grows quickly and soon fills your home with lush, green growth. But chewing on those lush leaves can cause what?
2. Potted daffodils, hyacinth, and narcissus are common in early spring. What parts of these popular plants are poisonous to humans?
3. Cats love to chew on green things, but chewing on an Easter lily can cause a cat to have which of these symptoms:
4. Rhododendrons and azaleas produce beautiful blooms. But those flowers, and especially the leaves and stems of these 2 plant species, contain a toxin that causes what symptoms in animals?
5. English ivy is easy to grow, both indoors and out. This makes it a popular choice as a hanging houseplant. What part of the plant can poison your child or your dog?
6. Colocasia, also known as elephant ear, is prized for its large leaves and makes a delightful addition to your interior. But if eaten, it can cause:
7. The castor bean plant is a large tropical plant. What might happen if part of it is accidentally eaten?
Online Medical Reviewer: Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Sather, Rita, RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN
Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Contact Our Health Professionals
Follow Us
Powered by StayWell
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.