Hazardous
plants
Many
of the plants used for interior landscaping can be considered
"hazardous" because they contain toxic substances,
have sharp leaves or spines, or are known to cause allergies.
This is not to say that they should not be specified;
very few species cause serious problems and then usually
only after prolonged exposure, careless handling or
ingestion of leaves. However, care needs to be
exercised when designing displays for areas that are
accessible to the public and especially children, who
tend to be more inquisitive but less aware of danger
than adults. Plant maintenance personnel are advised
to take suitable precautions when handling plants, such
as wearing gloves and eye protection.
 The
main types of hazardous plant are:
Poisonous plants
All decorative plants should be treated as potentially
poisonous, but amongst the most harmful are:
- Dieffenbachia spp
- Euphorbia spp
- Philodendron spp
- Nerium oleander
Spiky plants
Even plants with soft leaves and no spines can cause
injury or discomfort if they catch you in the eyes.
Eye protection is therefore recommended when working
with any plants, but especially those belonging to the
following groups:
- Cacti
- Yuccas
- Bromeliads
- Palms
Irritating plants
Plants known to cause skin irritation and dermatitis
include:
- Ficus spp
- Hedera spp
 Euphorbia
pulcherrima (Poinsettia)
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