This exclusive list of the best and worst child friendly plants will help you pick the best one for a home and garden with a kid!
Before you add any plant at home, it is important to check whether it is safe for your kids or not. Keeping that in mind, we have divided the list into indoor and outdoor plants, and have kept the ones in the corner that can cause stomach issues in kids or may harm them due to their thorny or pointy leaves. The ones with colorful flowers and showy foliage that may attract the kids have won the spot in the “safe” zone!
Indoor Child Friendly Plants
1. Areca Palm
Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens
Areca Palm adds a touch of tropical elegance to any space. Its slender, arching leaves are visually appealing and child-friendly, with no known toxicity concerns.
2. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera
These child friendly plants are a joy to look at, especially when they are in all their flower-full glory during the festive time! The Christmas Cactus is something you just can’t miss!
3. Peperomia
Peperomias boasts a diverse range of leaf shapes and textures, making them a fascinating choice for homes with kids.
4. Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
The robust and glossy leaves of the Rubber Plant make it a striking addition to any room. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, this plant is kid-friendly.
5. Baby’s Tears
Botanical Name: Soleirolia soleirolii
Delicate and lush, these child friendly plants form a dense carpet of tiny leaves, creating a soft and inviting appearance. It is non-toxic. 100%!
6. Nerve Plant
Botanical Name: Fittonia
The boldly veined leaves of the Nerve Plants add a pop of color to indoor spaces. Beyond its visual appeal, it is a good choice for a kid’s room, as it is non toxic.
7. Parlor Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
The arching fronds of the Parlor Palm bring a touch of the tropics to your living space. It’s a low-maintenance plant that adds a subtle, natural element to any room.
8. Cast Iron Plant
Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
With its robust, dark green leaves, this child friendly plants have earned their name for their indestructible nature! Cast iron plants thrive in low-light conditions with ease, too!
9. Chinese Money Plant
Botanical Name: Pilea peperomioides
Recognizable by its unique coin-like leaves, the Chinese Money Plant adds a quirky charm to any setting. It is an excellent choice for homes with children!
10. Calathea
Calatheas are known for their striking and intricate patterns on their leaves. Beyond their visual appeal, these plants are safe for children, as they are non-toxic.
11. Boston Fern
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Boston Ferns are characterized by their feathery, lush fronds that bring a touch of the outdoors inside. They prefer humid conditions.
12. Spider Plants
These are the safest and probably the most popular choice you must not ignore for a kid’s room! Growing them in a hanging basket will make their leaves look spectacular. Even if you find your little one nibbling it, don’t worry! It’s super safe!
Outdoor Child Friendly Plants
13. Sunflowers
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Sunflowers are a beacon of cheerfulness in any garden with their towering stems and vibrant golden petals. They are great to attract pollinators, too.
14. Marigolds
Botanical Name: Tagetes
Marigolds, with their compact blooms in shades of orange and yellow, add a burst of color to outdoor spaces. Child-friendly as they are non-toxic, these provide a safe environment for curious children.
15. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
The round leaves and vibrant blossoms of these child friendly plants are not only great to look at, but they are edible, too!
16. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
Lavender shows off fragrant spikes of purple blooms. They offer a sensory delight and are safe for little ones.
17. Zinnias
Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
The bright petals of zinnia bring a playful charm to outdoor spaces. Child-friendly due to their non-toxic nature, these flowers are a must have in balconies and patios.
18. Snapdragons
Botanical Name: Antirrhinum
Snapdragons are super safe for kids and are a sight to behold, thanks to the tall spikes of their flowers that come in a range of colors!
19. Daisies
Botanical Name: Bellis perennis
The charming white petals and yellow centers of daisies are a classic favorite in child-friendly gardens. Safe and easy to grow, these are a must have!
20. Chamomile
Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
The delicate and daisy-like blooms of chamomile can be a calming addition to outdoor spaces. It introduces youngsters to the concept of using plants for relaxation and well-being.
21. Chrysanthemums
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums bring a burst of fall beauty to gardens. With them, you can be completely worry free with your kids around.
Unsafe Indoor Plants for Children
22. Dieffenbachia
Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia spp.
Dieffenbachia contains toxic compounds that can cause irritation and swelling if ingested. It’s best to keep this plant out of reach of children and pets.
23. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
Despite their elegant appearance, Peace Lilies contain compounds that can cause mild toxicity if ingested. To ensure a safe environment for children, keeping them out of reach.
24. Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Aloe Vera, popular for its soothing gel, has no potential issues for kids but their pointy leaves can be dangerous and may cause eye injury. Best to keep them away.
25. Sago Palm
Botanical Name:Cycas revoluta
The Sago Palm is a popular ornamental plant, but contains toxins that can be harmful if ingested. So if you have a kid who has a habit of nibbling things, this is not safe!
26. Daffodils
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Daffodils are popular for trumpet-like blossoms that come in various hues, heralding the arrival of spring. However, nibbling their leaves or flowers can cause stomach issues as it is toxic.
Outdoor Plants Not Safe for Kids
27. Oleander
Botanical Name: Nerium oleander
Oleander’s danger lies in the milky sap containing toxic compounds, including oleandrin and nerioside. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to severe poisoning.
28. Foxglove
Botanical Name: Digitalis purpurea
Despite its visual appeal, all parts of the plant contain digitalis glycosides, which can cause heart irregularities when ingested.
29. Castor Bean Plant
Botanical Name: Ricinus communis
The Castor Bean Plant can be an eye-catching addition to gardens, featuring large, palmate leaves. However, its seeds contain ricin, a potent toxin that can be fatal if ingested.
30. Deadly Nightshade
Botanical Name: Atropa belladonna
Belladonna may seem alluring, but hides extreme danger. The plant contains tropane alkaloids, leading to symptoms ranging from hallucinations to coma if ingested.
31. Autumn Crocus
Botanical Name: Colchicum autumnale
Autumn Crocus surprises with its vibrant, fall-blooming flowers, yet its beauty masks a perilous reality. The plant contains colchicine, a highly toxic compound that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and organ failure.
32. Holly
Botanical Name: Ilex spp.
Holly bushes look beautiful with glossy evergreen leaves, but its berries contain substances that can cause stomach upset if ingested. They can also pose a choking hazard for young children.
33. Azalea
Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp.
Azalea contain grayanotoxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness if ingested. While severe poisoning is rare, the potential risk, especially for curious children, makes these flowers less ideal for outdoor spaces where safety is a priority.
34. Agave
Well, the plant looks quite smashing, especially with those long and fleshy leaves (and flowers when it grows them), but the very thing that makes it beautiful, makes the plant unsafe for children – the pointy foliage that can cause a serious injury to kids.
