Choosing Kid-Safe Indoor Plants

**Collaborative post**

You definitely want to bring nature from the outdoors into your home but did you know that some plants can be harmful to children? There has been stories and information available for ages now about the harm that can come to pets because of particular household plants but it’s not as widely known that some strains can also cause harm to your children.

Kids are curious little creatures and don’t have the maturity to grasp the concept of danger at a young age. They see something and they have to go investigate; whether or not that investigation can lead to injury or worse. It is our responsibility as their parents to keep them out of harm’s way while educating them on the things that could bring about such incidents.

House plants can brighten a room, coat the air with a light, clean scent and also improve air quality but it is so important to choose plants that will not only do all these things; they will also not harm the members of the household.

Let’s break down some of the top kid-safe indoor plants and touch on what common injuries from harmful plants could be.

How Indoor Plants Can Harm Your Kids

You wouldn’t think that something that grows naturally in the wild could harm your kids but it actually can. Certain plants omit a residue or are covered in a film of a harmful agent that can cause injury to your kids.

Some plants can cause skin irritations such as rashes, swelling, bumps and itchy patches, leaving your kid upset and confused because they don’t understand what they did wrong. These reactions can lead to more serious instances if it is severe enough to require medical attention for breathing issues or severe swelling of the eyelids, etc.

Other plants have sharp thorns or protrusions that can cause scratches or cuts on your kid’s limbs. Depending on what part of the plant your child grabs ahold of; it can cause serious injury that requires medical attention.

Kid-Safe Indoor Plants Along With Those Safe for Pets

If you are in the market for kid-safe indoor plants, then why not take a look at the following:

Christmas Cactus

This flowering plant is resilient and plentiful, showing blooms from November to January for a burst of colour during the long, cold winter months. They need semi-shady locations as their home base but will not tolerate high levels of heat. Their stems do not feature any thorns or protrusions, making this plant a must for a kid safe home. Also safe for pets.

Spider Plant

Even though the name is enough to inspire a shiver down your spine, this sturdy plant can withstand low lighting conditions and is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. Tiny shoots from this plant will produce more spider plants, so it is important to curtail them when they are young to prevent an abundance. These hanging leaves range in shades from pale green to emerald and look amazing when draped over a hanging basket or a tall stand in the corner of a room. Also safe for pets.

Wandering Jew

Want an easy plant to grow indoors that mimics the look and scent of roses without the maintenance that is required? Then take a look at this plant which can grow in any conditions. Extremely safe for kids, these various shades of green and purples will brighten up the room. Take care to trim the plant, however, as when left unchecked, it can take over the entire area. When trimming the plant, watch where the waste is being thrown as it can regrow and set up roots in anything from a glass of water to your lawn. They are also safe for pets.

African Violet

With vivid shades of purple and dark green leaves; these plants are best grown in an indoor setting as they can be extremely sensitive to temperature change. While some extra maintenance is required in terms of fertilizer (monthly), temperature (consistent) and lighting (bright and frequent); this is a great plant to brighten even the dreariest of rooms. Also safe for pets.

Conclusion

If you want household plants in your residence, then you should definitely have your household plants! It just takes a few minutes to research kid-safe indoor plants and to ensure that the lush gardens of your household will cause only joy to the occupants.

You could also take it a step further and grow your own indoor plants to teach your children about gardening, nurturing and responsibility. Not sure how to go about this? Well, there are kits available at your local gardening centre and also online that can aid you in bringing a plant from seed to root to bloom! 

The lighting in your home may not be sufficient for growing your own indoor plants so you will definitely want to invest in a good LED grow lights system. These lights mimic the power of the sun and will provide your seedlings with the nutrients they need.

So invest in your indoor plants and watch your kids’ faces light up when they see that first bloom. Encourage them to watch the plants, take care of the plants and to appreciate their beauty for what it is.