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If your nose suddenly runs or your eyes start to water in your own four walls, the first thing many people think of is an allergy to animal dander or house dust. But often it can also be the decorative indoor plants that act as allergy triggers. These include spurge plants, but other plants can also affect allergy sufferers with hay fever. Therefore, if there are more allergic reactions in the office or within your own four walls, the houseplants should also be examined closely.
Allergy trigger houseplant
If your eyes are suddenly watering and your nose is running in a closed room, for example in the office at work or at home, then it may be an allergy. However, this does not necessarily have to be caused by pollen from outside, dust or, for example, the toner from the printer. But some indoor plants can also develop into allergy triggers. For example, some plants are incompatible and unsuitable for allergy sufferers, as they emit substances that trigger various symptoms. The following article explains which indoor plants can cause allergies and why.
Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae)
If there are spurge plants in the apartment, they can trigger various symptoms in the event of an existing allergy. These include sneezing, runny nose, often also hoarseness, headaches and watery eyes up to an asthma attack. Just latex allergy sufferers are affected by it. Because the spurge plants have one milky sap. This does not have to be touched by the allergy sufferer. The allergens found in the plant, which are very similar to those of latex, naturally reach the surface of the individual leaves. Here they can attach themselves to dust particles. In this way, the allergens that cause illness are distributed throughout the room and inhaled by the people present. Anyone who already has an allergy can then react to this. The spurge plants that are intolerable for allergy sufferers include the following:
From B - D
Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamini)
- better known as Ficus or Benjamini
- originally from subtropical areas
- Can only be cultivated as a houseplant
- evergreen
- Can also be cultivated as a bonsai
- good for hydroponics
- partially shaded location
- not right next to or on top of a heater
- moderate amounts of fertilizer
- high humidity
Christ's Thorn (Euphorbia milii)
- Native to highlands Madagascar
- has dense thorns
- Flowering time October to March
- Color white, pink or red
- sunny to partially shaded location
- on an east or west window
- few nutrients
- Potting soil for flowering plants
- pour little
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- also miracle shrub or croton
- original homeland Southeast Asia
- green or white flowers
- hang in bunches
- needs sandy and slightly moist soil
- many fertilizers
- partially shaded location
- Corner next to south window optimal
- not right next to a heater
- upright growth
Triangular Spurge (Euphorbia trigona)
- also three-ribbed spurge
- originally from Central Africa
- shrubby growing
- up to two meters high
- green or reddish leaves
- also white-green patterned species
- has sharp thorns
- dry periods lasting several days desired
- use commercially available cactus soil
- partially shaded location
notice: Many types of cacti also belong to the allergy trigger plants. Cacti are also popular in many offices, as they are fairly easy-care indoor plants. However, if you have allergy symptoms, you should also ban the cacti from the room immediately.
From G - W
Fiddler Fig (Ficus lyrata)
- also known as the violin case tree
- shrubby and tall growing
- Named because of the leaves
- Hydroponics recommended
- very easy to care for
- very popular as an office plant
- only a few waterings
- Long-term fertilizer is sufficient
- partially shaded location
notice: Spurge plants are always slightly poisonous. The escaping plant sap can make you ill if it comes into contact with your mouth and you will notice symptoms of poisoning. Especially if you have small children or free-ranging pets in your household, you should better avoid these plants.
Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
- Classic among houseplants
- Native to Indonesia and East India
- evergreen
- upright and sprawling growing
- partially shaded location
- in corner next to window or balcony door
- not right next to the heater
- wants high humidity
- sandy, slightly moist soil
- little fertilizer
tip: If you cultivate green plants indoors and experience allergy symptoms, you should also check the soil. If this is moldy on the surface, the spores can cause similar symptoms. Therefore, cultivate your plants in hydroponics. This means that no mold can develop and maintenance is also easier.
Spit palm (Euphorbia leuconeura)
- also known as Madagascar jewel
- Seeds are "spit" far into the room
- inconspicuous white flowers
- Flowering time from December to February
- partially shaded location
- not near a heater
- gritty, sandy, slightly moist soil
- little watering
- upright, tall growth
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
- also Christmas Star, Advent Star or Poinsettia
- originally from South America
- actually perennial
- here usually only annual cultivation
- green and yellow flowers
- Flowering time from October to January
- red and green leaves
- partially shaded location
- moderately moist, loamy soil
notice: Contact eczema can often occur even in an actually healthy person who has not yet suffered from an allergy if plant sap gets on the skin. Therefore you should always wear gloves when working with these growths, for example if a cut is necessary and wash off any affected areas immediately.
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Not many daisies are houseplants, as they are usually cultivated outdoors. But the plants are often placed on the windowsill in winter or stand directly under a window on the balcony. Especially if a mugwort allergy is known, composite plants are a bad choice. Because here it can come to a cross allergy. Especially when the pollen secreted by the stamens is inhaled or ends up on the allergy sufferer's skin. Then allergic rhinitis up to asthma can be caused. The daisy family also includes the following plants, which are intolerable for allergy sufferers:
Asters (Astereae)
- originally native to Europe and Asia
- very popular in autumn
- Cultivation in pots on the balcony or terrace
- Hibernation in the apartment
- in an unheated room
- many different flower colors
- water regularly
- fertilize regularly
- sunny location
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)
- originally from East Asia
- many different flower colors
- Flowering time mainly in autumn
- very popular autumn decoration
- many varieties sensitive to frost
- in winter cool room in apartment
- sunny to partially shaded location
- high-quality potting soil for flowering varieties
- keep evenly moist
tip: If you or a family member already have an allergy, you should generally avoid flowering plants in the home. Because these can always spread pollen that could be intolerable for the allergy sufferer. But there are also plants that are well suited for allergy sufferers. You can find a suitable selection here, for example.