Allergies can be a challenge in many areas of life and if you are selecting houseplants to enjoy, you want to be sure that they won’t affect any sensitivities you or loved ones may have.
Succulents are a popular, easygoing type of houseplant that can liven up any home with their pert leaves and unusual shapes, but are succulents good for allergies?
This article covers plant selection, exposure to sap and the limits of air-cleaning claims.
Choose plants for your own sensitivities
Ordinary numbers of houseplants do not provide meaningful room-air purification or an established allergy treatment. Sealed-chamber findings do not establish those benefits in occupied rooms. University of Illinois Extension.
Do not rely on succulents for overnight oxygen therapy, humidity control or relief of respiratory symptoms. For mold prevention, control excess moisture. US EPA.
There is no blanket allergy-safe succulent category. Reactions depend on the person, plant and exposure. Sap can irritate skin, and damp growing media can support mold. US EPA mold guidance.
Four succulents to assess for your home
1. Aloe vera
Aloe is an ornamental plant, not an established allergy treatment. Topical aloe can cause burning, itching, rash or eczema in some people; ingesting aloe latex carries additional risks. NIH NCCIH.
2. Jade
Crassula ovata is also known as the money plant is a classic succulent that will grow and grow and grow to an old age if you treat it right.
It has a thick rubbery stem and thick ovate green leaves.
There are many varieties of jade plants to choose from so if you would like a pop of color or a specific shape of plant, you have plenty to choose from
3. Burro’s Tail
Sedum morganianum, the donkey tail, or burro’s tail is an unforgettable succulent that will hold your attention and liven any room.
This trailing Sedum has blue-green fleshy leaves.
It trails beautifully as its stems are up to 60 cm long. Hang this succulent out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
It can produce small pink or purple flowers at the end of its stems, but flowers rarely.
4. Hens and Chicks
This classic succulent (Sempervivum tectorum) is also known as the houseleek and is a trendy addition to any home.
It gains its name from the central rosette of leaves, called the ‘hen’, which is surrounded by the constellation of petals known as the ‘chicks’.
This pretty plant will thrive just as well outdoors on a sunny patio as in your warm room.
It’s important to note that some succulents can cause allergy
No succulent is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic for every person.
Just about anything can cause an allergy so take care when handling your succulents, especially if its leaves break, and there is contact with the sap.
- Euphorbia latex can irritate skin and seriously injure eyes even without a latex allergy. NC State Extension.
- Aloe may cause skin reactions in some people. NIH NCCIH.
Rounding up
Choose plants you can tolerate and maintain without excess moisture. Keep irritating sap away from skin and eyes, and do not use a houseplant as treatment for allergies.