What Indoor Plants Shouldn't Be Kept in an Apartment in Cyprus?

Decorating apartments with indoor plants in Cyprus is not as common as in other countries. However, this trend is gaining popularity on the island of Aphrodite.

Firstly, it is a great way to bring bright colors into the interior. And secondly, it is an opportunity to purify the air and give it a pleasant aroma.

While buying another flower vase at the Home Center or Saturday market, it should be remembered that not all plants are safe. The families with children, who are most sensitive to harmful influences, should be especially cautious in choosing indoor plants.

Today we will talk about what indoor plants can not be kept in the apartment and why.

What harm can some plants cause?

Everyone knows about the advantages of green "pets" in the apartment. But there is the other side of the coin: some of them contain dangerous substances that negatively affect human health and energy, causing:

1. Itching and allergies (when touching leaves, inhaling pollen).
2. Poisoning (when ingesting parts of the plant - more concerns children and animals).
3. Exacerbation of chronic diseases (asthma, cardiovascular disorders).
4. Migraines and chronic fatigue in the morning (due to the strong odor and abundant release of carbon dioxide by the leaves at night),
5. Microtraumas (puncture wounds and cuts due to thorns, prickles, sharp leaves).
6. Nervous system agitation and dizziness (due to strong odor).

Dangerous symptoms

The harmful effect of the plant on the human body can be determined by the following symptoms:

1. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
2. Constant fatigue and weakness in the morning and during the day
3. Inflammation on the lips
4. Burning sensation in the mouth and throat
5. Profuse salivation
6. Difficulty swallowing
7. Redness of the eyes, dilated pupils.
8. Lacrimation
9. Shortness of breath
10. Nausea and vomiting

10 most dangerous indoor plants in Cyprus

The list of plants that are capable of causing harm to humans is long. All of them are divided into four main families: araceae, euphorbiaceae, (spurge family), nightshades and dogbanes. We have highlighted the 10 most common ones on the island. Among them:

1. Oleander - This beautiful-looking bush is quite dangerous during flowering as it emits allergenic essential oils. This leads to respiratory problems, heart problems, and causes migraines.
2. Poinsettia - The second name of the plant is the Star of Bethlehem, which speaks for itself and does not require special dithyrambs. The flower is really very beautiful, but also has its disadvantages. Cypriots' favorite Christmas flower is especially harmful to those who are allergic to latex. The results of its exposure: inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes, asthma attack.

1. Fern - When ripe, their spores can quickly spread throughout the room, causing allergic reactions.
2. Geraniums. Can cause allergic tracheobronchitis with dry cough and sore throat. In highly sensitive people, the scent of geraniums can cause Quincke's edema and even anaphylactic shock.
3. Violet - On the surface of the soft leaves of the plant contains many fine hairs that actively attract dust and pollution. This is dangerous for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to dust.
4. Cyclamen - In no case do not inoculate the juice of the cyclamen root from maxillary sinusitis. This will not only not cure the disease, but will provoke a burn of the mucosa, raise the temperature, disrupt breathing and cause sore throat.
5. Diffenbachia - A popular indoor plant, bearing the name of the German botanist I.F. Diffenbach, has luxurious lush leaves, the mottled color of which looks quite spectacular. The danger of diffenbachia lies in the poisonous juice, which is easily released when damaged. Getting it on the mucous membranes can easily cause a burn, so it is not recommended to install a vase in rooms where there are children.

1. Azalea - Excellent vases with simple and terry flowers can not leave indifferent any connoisseur of the world of flora. Often azaleas become a real decoration of collections of indoor plants. However, behind the peerless beauty hides a considerable danger - the juice that fills its stems contains poisonous elements that can cause great harm to the body when ingested, most often children and animals suffer. In addition, it is worth considering that flowering Azalea releases a strong aroma, so do not install it in the bedroom and poorly ventilated room.
2. Molochai - There are quite often in interior landscaping, as it is very unpretentious. It has many subspecies, but they are united by the presence of milky juice, which can have both medicinal and devastating effects on the human body, in particular, to cause severe poisoning.
3. Trichocereus - This native of the South American continent has won the hearts of many cactus lovers. He is not fastidious to the conditions of content and does not take up much space in the interior. At the same time, the culture is quite dangerous and can even cause death. It contains a harmful substance alkaloid mescaline, which has a negative effect on the central nervous system, provokes visual hallucinations.

Houseplants dangerous for children and animals

Small children and animals are the most restless and curious inhabitants of the house. They need an eye on them, especially if there are potentially dangerous plants in the house. Among them are those that:

1. Causes allergies
2. Contain poisonous sap.
3. Have thorns, prickles and sharp leaves.
4. Have a strong odor
5. Have poisonous or bitter fruits that irritate the stomach.

Dangerous flora should be kept out of reach of children and animals, or abandoned altogether. Representatives of the families of aroids, amarylis, aroid, molochai, nightshade, mulberry, heather and araliaceae are the most dangerous. The degree of their harm to a small child and pet is an order of magnitude higher than for adult humans.

The most popular house plants

To make a rating of the top indoor plants, it is enough to look into social networks. In 2022 in the nomination "The best indoor flowers for the apartment" won unpretentious cacti Mammillaria and Schlumberga (Decembrist). Their florists posted most often. Second place took wax ivy, third - stylish monstera - a favorite of interior and fashion designers.

In addition to the named specimens, many flower store owners recommend 10 indoor plants that should be in every home. They are time-tested and almost always in demand:

1. sansevieria,
2. philodendron,
3. epipremnum goldenseal,
4. aglaonema,
5. peperomia,
6. spathiphyllum,
7. tricolor marantha,
8. aloe vera,
9. ficus,
10. zamiokulkas.

Useful indoor plants

The main merit of green pets is the creation of an atmosphere favorable for human health. They absorb carbon dioxide, purify the air from toxins, help treat injuries and diseases, reduce stress.

Let's list the most useful flowers for the home and their features:

1. Aloe vera: its juice and pulp are healing for burns, cuts, rashes, bites, effective in home cosmetology. Inhalations with aloe decoction are useful for asthmatics, and its leaves are not bad filtering the air from toxins.
2. Chlorophytum: a powerful fighter with harmful volatile compounds (formaldehyde, xylene and carbon oxide, benzene) and a good humidifier.
3. Citrus fruits: not only their fruits are beneficial, but also their leaves, which can effectively purify the air in the house. Their essential oils improve lung and brain function and help with depression.
4. Plectranthus (room mint): known for its calming aroma, anti-stress and antimicrobial properties.
5. Ficus: beneficial to its owner's health, excellent at filtering formaldehyde from the air and reducing outside noise by 1/4.
6. Sansevieria: produces oxygen around the clock and thus improves sleep, so it is recommended for the bedroom.
7. Areca: excellent natural humidifier (evaporates up to 97% of moisture) and dust absorber. It actively produces oxygen and phytoncides that block dangerous "cold" bacteria.

And what indoor plants do you keep in your apartment?

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