Interior designer James Newman, based at Raffle House, warned of four houseplants that could be harmful.
English Ivy
English Ivy is often positioned high off the ground so that its vines can drape down, said Newman.
However, if you have small children around the house, they might be tempted to touch the leaves of the plant.
“All parts of the plant can cause problems,” said Newman. “If any English Ivy is ingested it can cause skin irritation, fever, severe vomiting, breathing problems and diarrhoea.”
Easter Lily
Another common household plant to be wary of is the Easter Lily, which can be extremely poisonous.
The pollen from the Easter Lily is considered toxic to small children, so do keep them away from wandering hands.
Peace Lily
The Peace Lily can also be dangerous to small children if ingested, as it can cause “pain, swelling and burning of the lips and throat”, said Newman.
Daffodils
Even daffodils can be dangerous if a child nibbles on the bulb of the flower, which looks a bit like an onion.
“If [the onion-looking bulb is] ingested by a child or adult, it can cause serious health conditions such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure and death,” warned Newman.
All these houseplants are also toxic to pets, such as cats, who can brush up against the pollen and have a severe reaction.
When it comes to choosing houseplants for your home, Newman strongly recommends doing your research.
Newman said: “You should always do your research when adding nature to your home.
“Something as simple as a plant could have devastating results for your loved ones.”
Non-toxic houseplants include:
- African Violets
- Air plants
- Spider plants
- Parlour palms.
The next time you go out to buy some new houseplants, do check that they’re not poisonous to little ones or pets.
While certain houseplants can be beautiful to look at, if a child gets hold of them, the consequences can be serious.
If you notice any worrisome symptoms in a child who could have brushed up against a toxic houseplant, do call NHS 111.