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Safe Houseplants

Houseplants are a pleasant, decorative accent in many homes and businesses. Houseplants also improve indoor air quality by filtering toxins and replacing oxygen. For the safety of young children or pets, however, the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center recommend easy-care, nontoxic houseplants. The plants listed are considered to be among the least likely to cause health problems. NOTE: Any plant may cause an allergic reaction in some persons. For additional information about houseplants, call the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

  • Prayer Plant (Maranta spp.)
  • Boston Fern (Nephrolepis spp.)
  • Corn Plant (Dracaena spp.)
  • Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus spp.)
  • Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)
  • Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.)
  • African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
  • Airplane Plant (Chlorophytum spp.)

Appreciation is expressed to the Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center; Mr. Michael Hughes, Program Director; and Rick Carlton, M.D., Medical Director, for assistance in the preparation of this publication.

Prepared and distributed by Linda Patterson, R.N., M.S.N., Extension Health Education Specialist, and Lester Estes, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Information Sheet 1489
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
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Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Feb-09 14:06:20
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