1. Home
  2. Inspiration

Don’t gift these 5 plants to anyone who has allergies

By Mark Wolfe

Your sister just moved into a new place and you want to buy her a simple housewarming gift. Maybe you want to go with a flower arrangement, or better yet a houseplant, but she has allergies. No problem. Although there are numerous plants that trigger allergic responses, there are lots of choices that allergy sufferers can enjoy without discomfort. Learn which plants to avoid, and you can give plants without worry.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What causes plant allergies

Pollen is the main plant-based trigger of allergic responses. Pollen is produced by male flower parts, and it must find its way to female flower parts. Most plants have adapted to rely either partially or completely on air currents to carry vast quantities of pollen to female flower parts in order to ultimately create seeds. When allergy sufferers breathe pollen-laden air, it causes a host of symptoms including itchy or runny nose, nasal congestion, swollen or watery or itchy red eyes, sneezing, coughing, postnasal drip, and fatigue.

Recommended Videos

A few common house plants have compounds in their sap that may cause skin reactions on some individuals. The sap of Euphorbia and Ficus species are known to cause mild to severe rashes when those with sensitive skin come in contact. Avoid giving plants from these families and others with milky sap to anyone with sensitive skin or a known sensitivity to latex.

Fragrance can cause discomfort, although it is not categorized as an allergic reaction. Those with a “jasmine allergy” are likely experiencing a non-allergy reaction called irritant rhinitis. The strong smell causes chronic sneezing or a congested, runny nose. For this reason, it may be best to avoid plants with intense aromas.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Plants that cause allergies

As a rule, if the recipient has a history of allergies, or if you are not sure, simply avoid giving them plants that cause allergies. Following is a list of the plants that are most likely to cause allergic reactions.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, daisies, asters and other members of the aster family produce loads of pollen that makes allergy sufferers miserable. These include florist, landscape, and wild species, and some of the most commonly experienced sensitivities. If you want to avoid giving allergens as a gift, stay away from this group.

Lilies

Lilies are known for their intense aroma and serve as a symbol of purity, rebirth, and motherhood. But, the last thing mom wants for Mother’s Day is a case of the sniffles. Most lilies are heavy pollen producers, and they have an intense fragrance that could trigger irritant rhinitis. But, if it absolutely must be a lily or nothing at all, look for one of the newer pollen-free lily cultivars. 

Sunflowers

Sunflowers bring happiness with their big, bright flowers, but they can also cause congestion for those who are allergic. The massive flowers steadily release more and more pollen over time as the bloom continues to mature. The best way for allergy sufferers to enjoy sunflowers is at a distance. 

African violets

African violets are not known for high pollen loads. They trigger sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses in another way. The leaves are covered with tiny hairs that collect copious amounts of dust, which is one of the most common allergens. If you love them and want to avoid the negative effects, you could wipe down the leaves with a damp towel a few times each week. But there’s no need to give an added chore along with a gift. 

Weeping fig

Weeping fig is one of the most popular houseplants because it looks great and is easy to grow. It’s also one of the worst allergen offenders. It is a member of the Ficus genus, which those with latex sensitivity should avoid. Plus, these popular foliage plants capture lots of dust which, along with tiny particles of leaves, bark, and sap, combine to reduce air quality for allergy sufferers.

Totokzww / Shutterstock

Choose allergy-free plants instead

When special occasions arise, it’s always better to choose allergy-friendly plants instead. You may wonder if roses are bad for allergies. In fact, roses are some of the more allergy-friendly flowers. Other flowers with a lower likelihood of inducing allergy include cacti, orchids, pollen-free lilies, and carnations. Foliage plants for allergy sufferers include Dracaena, Pothos, and Sansevieria. Green is always good when it comes time to give a gift. Be sure to avoid high-allergen plants and stay on the safe side.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
7 ways to reuse your Halloween pumpkin so it doesn’t go to waste
From cooking to composting: Creative ways to put your pumpkins to use

Nothing can get you into the fall spirit liking going to your local farm and picking pumpkins. Adults love it, kids love it, and the farms love it, too! Unfortunately, what we don't love is all the waste that happens once those lovely pumpkins aren't needed as decoration anymore. Sadly, about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills across the United States. That's an incredible amount of waste that could be used in so many ways, including food.

While pumpkins are only a tiny percentage of the national food waste crisis, you can do your part to reduce this waste by finding ways to reuse Halloween pumpkins instead of letting them rot in a landfill. So this year, instead of wasting your pumpkins, consider one of these ways you can reuse your jack-o'-lanterns.

Read more
How late can you plant sunflowers and still see blooms? What you need to know about these beautiful giants

Sunflowers are an easy-to-grow and iconic late-summer, early-fall bloomer that's instantly recognizable. They can be cut to decorate your home or planted to add color and variety to landscaping. Not just that, but sunflower seeds can even be harvested as a tasty snack. No matter the reason you're in love with these flowers, it's common to wonder if you can plant them in late summer and still enjoy blooms. Keep reading for the full scoop!

Can you plant sunflowers in late summer?
Like most gardening-related questions, the answer is: maybe. It depends on which USDA zone you're located in, the variety of sunflower you wish to plant, and just how late in the summer you're thinking of growing them. In zones 8 and higher, you'll likely have success with a late-summer sowing of sunflower seeds. However, they may be shorter and produce fewer blooms because of the shorter days and decreased sunlight.

Read more
5 drought-tolerant companion plants that will thrive next to lavender

Lavender is a blooming herbal plant loved by many across the United States. Even those who don't garden can recognize its beautiful purple flowers and iconic scent. So when you decide to add lavender to your garden, you might wonder what plants are good drought-tolerant companions for it. Whether you're building a pollinator garden or wanting to make a charming corner in your garden, these lavender companion plants are perfect!
1. White mugwort
The first on our list is a plant called white mugwort, or Artemisia lactiflora. Although they have a strange name, these plants are stunning and an excellent companion to your aromatic lavender. White mugwort plants look like astilbes and have deep green foliage with silvery undersides and toothed edges. They also feature elegant and creamy white plumes that grow in vertical lines.

The flowers are tiny and appear on the ends with slightly arching stems. From late summer to fall, these blooms bring an airy aesthetic to your garden. They won't bloom in the early spring like lavender, but when your lavender blooms again in the fall, these mugworts will still be blooming. If you have a lot of big leaved plants and need something to brighten up the space, this is the plant for you. It's hardy in zones 3 to 8, wants full to partial shade, and can grow 3 to 5 feet tall. It also spreads 2 to 3 feet wide.

Read more