So, you love plants, and your loved ones gave you a bouquet of flowers, but you just can’t stop sneezing as soon as you receive them. Still, it makes you suspicious because the same thing happens even at home. Let’s get to know the possible causes behind this. Let’s talk about something PLANTastic!
A nicely decorated home would not be complete without a few well-cultivated houseplants. Not to mention its numerous advantages for your physical and mental well-being.
But what if your immune system seems to be being negatively impacted by nature’s little miracles?
If you have allergies, you could believe that all plants could be dangerous to you. Actually, some houseplants are more prone to triggering allergies than others.
In this article, we’ll be revealing them for you, so keep reading on.
What Makes Plants Trigger Allergies?
Indoor plants almost instantly come into question due to three main undesirable factors that they tend to introduce into our homes and which can be harmful to both humans and our pets. The following are the three harmful aspects:
Dust
Although sometimes disregarded, dust is often a major allergen. In reality, the air-purifying properties that indoor plants are thought to have can be ruined by the dust that builds up on their leaves and blooms. This can release toxic particles into the air we breathe. This can be prevented by keeping your plant clean and removing the dust from being accumulated in their leaves as frequently as possible.
Mold Growth
Damp soil from indoor houseplants can promote the formation of mold, which in turn triggers allergies and exacerbates a number of grievances, particularly for people with asthma.
Indoor Pollen
When choosing a plant for your home, look for ones that don’t produce a lot of pollen, because it can become a major trigger for allergies.
Which Indoor Plants to Avoid If You Have Allergies
There are many different health risks associated with some of the worst indoor plants that trigger allergies. These allergies can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, many of which you have undoubtedly already encountered, including skin rashes, itching, headaches, exhaustion, allergic skin or body sensitivities, asthma attacks, and many others. Given these well-known facts, you should exercise extreme caution while selecting the ideal plant to meet your strict standards, especially when looking for a plant to put inside your home, particularly your bedroom.
Your new green pal could be causing allergies in you without your knowledge. Here are some examples of plants you ought to keep out of your house and office:
1. Weeping Fig
The drawback of this lovely and liberated indoor plant is that it contains substances that can cause allergies. The signs are comparable to those of latex allergies. When the sap of the plant is mingled with dust particles from either the leaves or stem that have entered the air, the result might be toxic.
The Weeping Fig plant can lead to respiratory issues as well as skin rashes. Simply said, even if the Weeping Fig’s beauty can attract you, you should hold off on including it in your collection of indoor plants if you are vulnerable to allergies.
2. Orchids
Perhaps this is the flowering plant that most of us love. However, people with sensitive skin should avoid these lovely plants since they might infect their skin.
Although Orchid sap is called “honeydew,” most of the time, it really can “sting like a bee” and cause rashes or blisters if it gets in contact with a sensitive skin. In severe instances, touching the orchids might result in eye and mouth edema as well as anaphylactic shock.
3. Juniper
Strangely, but inevitably, the Juniper makes our list of the houseplants that cause allergies. Even though it is not often planted indoors, it can sometimes be found in a home as a bonsai tree.
Any bonsai Junipers intended for indoor usage should be female plants that don’t produce pollen cones because Juniper pollen is so small and quickly dispersed that it can reportedly trigger hay fever symptoms.
Despite the fact that you have the option of keeping them outside, wearing gloves and a mask will keep you safe because this kind of indoor plant requires regular pruning.
4. Chamomile
In addition to being a delight for the eyes, this lovely and adaptable indoor houseplant has many helpful features. It is consumed by brewing it in tea and is used as a sedative. But tragically, this plant species can make allergies worse for those who are prone to them naturally.
The Chamomile plant is among the worst houseplants for allergies since it is related to the ragweed allergen.
5. Chrysanthemums
Just like Chamomile, Chrysanthemums are related to ragweed. Those who sneeze at them constantly should be aware of this. Its pollen can therefore contribute to most of the hay fever symptoms frequently linked to its more raggedy cousin, along with other irritants found on its flowers and leaves. Additionally, people who constantly touch Chrysanthemums may develop rashes on their skin.
Whether you like it or not, “mum” is not the word for some house plant growers!
6. Ferns
People seem to believe that ferns are hypoallergenic plants because they don’t produce flowers. However, they multiply through spores at the back of their leaves.
For certain people with allergies, this can be just as bothersome as pollen. People who handle Fern fronds frequently may also develop contact dermatitis, and these rashes are probably caused by Fern spores as well. Boston and Staghorn Fern appear to be safer options for Fern lovers who are allergic to other species because they are said to not trigger allergic reactions.
Do Any Indoor Plants Have a Low Allergy Risk?
Even if you have asthma or hay fever, you can still find delight in a little gardening at home. The good news is that some plants can assist you in purifying your indoor air and lowering your exposure to allergies. Marginata, Peace lily, Dracaena, Mother-in-law’s Tongue or Snake plant, Golden Pothos, Philodendron, and other plants are examples of hypoallergenic plants.
A good rule of thumb is to carefully select your houseplants and introduce them one at a time to your living space to watch out for any allergic reactions. Additionally, remember to regularly mist the leaves of your plants with water while wearing gloves when doing so.
To Sum Up
The presence of a few new leafy neighbors won’t make you immune to allergies. The air in your home can be filtered to remove pollutants like mold spores, environmental contaminants, and other air pollutants, which some plants can do to aid with allergies.
When used in conjunction with a regular cleaning schedule, plants are much more beneficial and will make your home appear more organized and luscious, especially as winter comes.
Choose a handful of the plants mentioned above, and you’ll be able to breathe easier thanks to fewer allergens in the air and some brilliant new greenery.
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