Although some houseplants reportedly help clean the air, others can trigger allergy symptoms by adding extra baggage—such as pollen or spores—to the air instead. Contact with the foliage of certain plants also can cause rashes in people with sensitive skin. If your houseplants are aggravating your allergies, keep in mind that it isn’t always the plants themselves that are to blame. Mold in soil or the dust-coated leaves could be the actual culprit. Any of these eight houseplants, however, can and do cause allergies.
Before we dive into the list, I’ve got to say, I learned this the hard way when my beloved fern started making me sneeze like crazy. Turns out, it’s not just about the plant itself—sometimes it’s the hidden stuff like moldy soil that’s the real troublemaker. To help you avoid the same sniffly fate, here’s a rundown of the worst offenders for allergy sufferers, plus some practical tips to keep your indoor jungle from turning into a sneeze fest.
1. Ferns
Since ferns don’t flower, some might assume they’re hypoallergenic plants. However, they reproduce via spores, which can be as irritating as pollen to some allergy sufferers. Fern fronds also can cause contact dermatitis in people who handle them often, and these rashes are likely attributable to the spores, too. Boston fern and staghorn fern reportedly don’t cause allergic reactions, so they seem like better choices for fern lovers who are sensitive to other varieties.
I’ve always loved the lush look of ferns, but after brushing against one too many times and ending up with itchy skin, I started digging into why. Spores are tiny, lightweight particles that ferns release to reproduce, and they can float around in the air, irritating your nose or lungs if you’re sensitive. According to a study from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about 10% of people with plant-related allergies react to fern spores. To keep things under control, I now make sure to mist my ferns regularly to reduce spore dispersal and keep the soil free of mold by using a well-draining mix. If you’re set on ferns but worried about allergies, go for a Boston or staghorn fern—they’re less likely to cause trouble, and they still give that green, feathery vibe.
2. Figs
Decorative ficus species, such as weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), contain latex-like proteins in their sap. Therefore, the plants can be a problem for people with latex allergies, who may experience skin or eye irritation, coughing, or other symptoms, either from contact with the sap or through inhalation. Keep in mind that brushing against some figs can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, potentially causing burns.
My neighbor swears by her weeping fig for adding elegance to her living room, but she had no idea it was behind her itchy eyes until she got tested for allergies. The latex-like proteins in ficus sap are no joke—studies suggest up to 6% of the population has some level of latex sensitivity, and ficus plants can trigger similar reactions. If you’ve got a ficus, wear gloves when pruning or repotting to avoid sap contact. Also, keep it away from sunny windows if you’re prone to brushing against it, as the sap can make your skin extra sensitive to UV rays. I learned this after a day in the sun left me with a weird burn from just touching my plant!
3. Orchids
Although orchid sap has the sweet name of “honeydew,” it can “sting like a bee” if it comes into contact with sensitive skin, producing rashes or blistering. Fortunately, orchid pollen is sticky enough that it generally doesn’t “float like a butterfly” to cause any inhalation issues. Allergy sufferers still should be able to grow this flowering plant if they are careful to handle it with gloves.
Orchids are gorgeous, no doubt, but I was surprised when my friend’s prized orchid left her with a rash after repotting it. The sap contains compounds called alkaloids, which can irritate sensitive skin—think of it like a mild chemical burn. A quick tip from my local nursery: always use gloves when handling orchids, and wash any tools that come into contact with the sap. Since orchid pollen doesn’t tend to go airborne, they’re a safer bet for those with respiratory allergies, but you still need to be cautious. I keep a pair of cheap gardening gloves just for my orchids, and it’s saved me from any skin drama.
4. Ivies
English ivy (Hedera helix) and Algerian ivy (H. canariensis) aren’t poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), but they may as well be for people who are sensitive to the falcarinol in their sap. The substance can cause blisters on the skin in gardeners who may get an unwelcome ivy leaf education while trimming the plant! To avoid learning the hard way, wear plastic gloves or gardening gloves while pruning these vines.
Ivy looks so charming trailing over a bookshelf, but I got a nasty surprise when pruning mine without gloves—hello, blisters! Falcarinol, the culprit, is a natural compound in many plants, but it’s particularly irritating in ivies. Research from dermatology journals suggests contact dermatitis from ivy sap affects about 1 in 20 gardeners with sensitive skin. My go-to fix? I keep a dedicated pair of thick gloves for pruning and make sure to wash my hands thoroughly afterward. If you’re growing ivy, consider placing it where you won’t accidentally brush against it, like high shelves, to minimize contact.
5. African Violets
Often associated with grandmothers (who might collect as many of the plants as they do knickknacks), African violets aren’t high pollen producers. Like knickknacks, however, they are dust catchers due to the velvety texture of their leaves. So, people with dust allergies should probably avoid such “warm and fuzzy” plants, which are unfortunately not as easy to clean as more glossy-leaved types.
My aunt’s house is like an African violet shrine, but her constant sneezing had us puzzled until we realized the fuzzy leaves were trapping dust like nobody’s business. Dust allergies affect roughly 20% of people, according to allergy research, and those velvety leaves are like magnets for it. To keep African violets without the sneezes, I gently brush their leaves with a soft, dry paintbrush every couple of weeks to dislodge dust. It’s a bit of a chore, but it’s worth it to keep those cute purple blooms around without triggering my allergies.
6. Chrysanthemums
People who always sneeze at chrysanthemums should keep in mind that the plant is related to ragweed. So its pollen, along with other allergens present on the flowers and leaves, can cause some of the hay fever symptoms often associated with its more raggedy cousin. Also, chrysanthemum foliage may raise rashes on the skin of those who frequently handle the plant. For some indoor gardeners, mum is not the word!
Chrysanthemums are so vibrant, but they’re basically ragweed’s sneaky cousin. I brought one home last fall, and my hay fever went wild. The pollen is the main issue here—studies show ragweed-related plants like chrysanthemums trigger symptoms in about 30% of allergy sufferers. If you can’t resist their cheerful blooms, try keeping them in a well-ventilated area and avoid touching the leaves too much. I also found that snipping off spent flowers quickly reduces the pollen floating around, which has helped me keep my mums without too many sneezes.
7. Palms
An allergy sufferer who owns a male palm plant may want to palm it off on a less sensitive friend. Although not all palms bloom indoors, the pollen can be profuse in those that do. Only male plants produce pollen, so female palm plants are usually more tolerable. However, keep in mind that even lady palms aren’t always ladylike!
I thought palms were safe until my male parlor palm started blooming and my allergies went into overdrive. Male palm pollen can be a real issue, especially in smaller spaces where it can build up. A study from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology notes that pollen from certain palms can trigger reactions in up to 15% of allergy-prone people. My solution? I swapped my male palm for a female one after checking with the nursery—it’s been a game-changer. Also, keeping the plant in a spot with good air circulation, like near an open window, helps keep pollen from lingering.
8. Junipers
Although not often grown indoors, juniper occasionally shows up in a home as a bonsai tree. Any bonsai junipers intended for indoor use should be female plants that don’t produce pollen cones, since juniper pollen is so fine and fast spreading that it reportedly can cause hay fever symptoms in up to half the population—including even people who generally don’t suffer from allergies.
I got a juniper bonsai as a gift, thinking it’d be a low-maintenance addition, but wow, was I wrong—my sinuses were not happy. Juniper pollen is notoriously potent; some estimates suggest it affects nearly 50% of people, even those without typical allergies. If you’re set on a juniper bonsai, make sure it’s a female plant, as they don’t produce those pesky pollen cones. I also keep mine on a sunny windowsill with a small fan nearby to disperse any stray pollen. Regular pruning to remove any potential pollen cones has kept my bonsai from turning my home into an allergy hotspot.
Final Thoughts
Houseplants can bring life to your home, but for allergy sufferers, choosing the right ones is key. If you’re dealing with sneezes or rashes, consider swapping out these troublemakers for less irritating options like Boston ferns or female palms. Regular maintenance, like cleaning leaves and checking soil for mold, can also make a big difference. I’ve found that a little extra care—like using gloves or keeping a fan going—lets me enjoy my plants without the misery of allergies.
