Houseplants and Young Children: A Calm Guide to a Safer Home

Houseplants make a home feel softer and more alive.

Then a baby starts to crawl, and every low leaf becomes something to grab, pull or taste.

You do not have to give up your plants to keep a small child safe.

A few calm habits make a big difference.

This guide explains how to know what you have and where to place it.

It also covers what to do if a child puts a leaf in their mouth.

It draws on MedlinePlus, the health information service of the National Library of Medicine.

For pets, it points to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

It is general information, not medical advice.

Why Plants Belong on the Safety List

Most parents think first about medicines and cleaning products.

Plants are easy to forget.

The MedlinePlus page on poisoning lists indoor and outdoor plants among possible poisons.

It places them next to medicines, household products and pesticides.

It also gives one simple rule for all of them.

Keep dangerous products where children cannot get to them.

Young children explore the world with their hands and mouths.

A bright leaf, a shiny berry or a crumb of soil can look like something worth tasting.

So it helps to treat a plant shelf the way you treat any other shelf within a child's reach.

Step 1: Learn the Name of Every Plant

The most useful thing you can do takes only an afternoon.

Write down the name of each plant in your home.

  • Check the nursery tag if you still have it.
  • Ask the store or a local garden center if you are unsure.
  • Write the name on a small label and tape it under the pot.
  • Keep a list on your phone and a copy on the fridge.

Why does the name matter so much?

MedlinePlus asks for the name of the plant, if known, before you call for help.

It also asks which part was swallowed, when it happened and how much was eaten.

A clear name lets the experts give you faster and clearer advice.

Before you buy a new plant, look up its name in a trusted source.

If you cannot confirm what it is, keep it out of reach until you can.

A Familiar Houseplant as an Example

Philodendrons are some of the most familiar houseplants in American homes.

The MedlinePlus article on philodendron poisoning describes it as a flowering houseplant.

It names calcium oxalate as the poisonous ingredient.

It lists symptoms such as burning in the mouth and throat, blisters in the mouth and swelling of the tongue.

It also notes that sap in the eyes can cause redness, pain and burning.

This does not mean that every houseplant is dangerous.

It simply shows why "it is just a plant" is not a safe assumption.

Plants with colorful berries deserve extra care too.

MedlinePlus describes the Jerusalem cherry, a plant with small, round red and orange fruit.

It says the poison is found throughout the plant, especially in the unripe fruit and the leaves.

Bright berries at a child's eye level are worth moving out of reach.

Step 2: Place Plants With Care

Once you know what you have, think about height and reach.

  • Move plants off the floor and off low tables.
  • Use high shelves, wall shelves or hanging planters.
  • Keep trailing vines from hanging down where small hands can pull them.
  • Choose heavy, stable pots that are hard to tip over.
  • Do not place plants near a crib, a play mat or a changing table.
  • Pick up fallen leaves, flowers and berries right away.

Remember that children grow quickly.

A shelf that was out of reach last month may be within reach after a new climbing skill.

Now and then, walk through your home at your child's eye level.

You will spot new risks before your child does.

Step 3: Think About Soil, Water and Plant Products

The leaves are not the only part of a plant a child might touch.

  • Empty drainage saucers soon after watering.
  • Store plant food, insect sprays and leaf shine products in a high or locked cabinet.
  • Keep each product in its original container with the label on.
  • Never pour a plant product into a cup or a drink bottle.

MedlinePlus advises using and storing products exactly as their labels say.

That applies to fertilizers and garden sprays as much as to cleaning products.

If you treat a plant for pests, do it when children are out of the room.

Put the product away before you do anything else.

Our guides to pests such as mealybugs and aphids start with gentle steps like wiping and rinsing.

If a Child Eats Part of a Plant

Stay calm and act quickly.

  • Take any remaining pieces out of the child's mouth.
  • Wipe out the mouth with a cold, wet cloth, as MedlinePlus suggests for philodendron.
  • Wash any plant sap off the skin and eyes.
  • Do not make the child throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.
  • Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

MedlinePlus explains that this national toll-free number reaches your local poison control center.

It works from anywhere in the United States.

The service is free and confidential, and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MedlinePlus also says you can call with any question about poisoning or prevention.

It does not need to be an emergency.

If a child has trouble breathing, becomes very drowsy or has a seizure, call 911 right away.

Have the Details Ready

MedlinePlus lists the information the experts will ask for.

  • The child's age, weight and condition.
  • The name of the plant and the part that was eaten, if known.
  • The time it was swallowed.
  • The amount swallowed.

If you are told to go to a clinic, take the plant or a clear photo of it with you.

Your list of plant names makes this step much easier.

Save the Poison Help number in your phone today, before you ever need it.

Homes With Pets Too

Many families share their home with both children and pets.

A plant that is fine for one is not always fine for the other.

The ASPCA list of toxic and non-toxic plants lets you check each plant for cats, dogs and horses.

If a pet eats part of a plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Our guide to pet-friendly houseplants goes into more detail.

Mushrooms and Other Surprises in the Pot

Sometimes the risk is not the plant itself.

A small mushroom can appear in damp potting mix almost overnight.

Remove it right away with gloves or a paper towel, then wash your hands.

Our guide to mushrooms in houseplant soil explains why they appear and how to dry out the pot.

Teaching Older Children

As children grow, plants can become a gentle lesson in care.

  • Teach a simple rule: we look at plants and smell flowers, but we never taste them.
  • Ask them to tell an adult when they find a berry or a mushroom.
  • Let them help with watering, so the plants feel familiar rather than mysterious.
  • Wash hands after handling plants and soil.

MedlinePlus gives similar advice for plants outdoors.

In its article on pokeweed, it says not to touch or eat any plant you are not familiar with.

It also advises washing your hands after working in the garden.

A Calm Checklist

  • Write down the name of every plant in your home.
  • Keep plants high, stable and away from cribs and play areas.
  • Pick up fallen leaves, flowers and berries.
  • Store plant products high, closed and in their original containers.
  • Save Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, in your phone.
  • Do not make a child vomit unless an expert tells you to.
  • Check plants for pets in the ASPCA list.

Plants and small children can share a home peacefully.

It takes a little planning, a few high shelves and a number saved in your phone.

Then you can enjoy the green and the giggles with a calmer mind.

Sources and Further Reading