Five Child Safe Indoor Plants

by Paul Ciocoiu · October 1, 2015

Indoor plants are children’s first contact with nature, the intermediary element to the nature outside and the outer surrounding environment. For this reason, make sure kids have friendly plants around them, opening their appetite for nature and especially plants that have a small contribution to their healthy development, such as air purifying plants. Below are some of the child safe indoor plants which are generally plants with unusual shapes and colors drawing the kids’ attention and interest.

The first option is the Christmas cactus, a thick glossy leave plant. Like many other succulents, the Christmas cactus can be easily propagated from a stem cutting and despite its scary name poses no risk to children. Unlike other plants, they bloom November through January, bringing much needed color to the winter home.

Child safe indoor plants – Christmas cactus

Another children friendly plant is Coleus, a plant with vibrant leaves, which are available in colors such as purple, yellow, orange and green. Grown in different species, they can put on an impressive color show in children’s room. Even though it is safe for humans, coleus is toxic to dogs and cats.

Child safe indoor plants – coleus

Since we said kids are attracted to unusual shapes and texture of leaves, then bring in a potted aloe vera, a decorative plant which also has a practical role at home, cleaning the air of formaldehyde and benzene, two toxic elements. Since aloe vera is one of the plants that don’t need soil to grow, place one in a container filled with pebbles, sand or a mixture of both, for a greater visual effect enchanting the kids.

Child safe indoor plants – aloe vera

Another decorative plant which perfectly integrates in any room, including the kids’ room, is the snake plant. It is one of the most low-maintenance plants you can grow while this low-light plant filters out formaldehyde, common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues—and even some cosmetics, purifying the air and inducing sleep.

Child safe indoor plants – snake plant

Last, but not least, bring some color to the little ones’ room. Count on African violets, easy to care flowering houseplants. They bloom year-round with little effort. Choose from hundreds of varieties and forms, some with variegated foliage or ruffled or white-edged blooms. African violets are also rich in history and symbolism. They are associated with motherhood, and are often given as Mother’s day gifts.