Houseplants have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years. Instagram is flooded with photos of urban jungles and plant parents showing off their leafy companions. While filling your home with greenery certainly has some benefits, your houseplant obsession could also have some downsides. As houseplant experts with years of experience caring for a wide variety of species, we want to provide you with a balanced perspective. Here are 8 expert reasons why an overzealous attachment to houseplants might actually cause more harm than good.

1. Houseplants Can Contribute to Indoor Air Pollution

While it’s true that houseplants can help purify indoor air to some degree, many common houseplants can also contribute to indoor air pollution. Here are some examples:

• Mold and mildew growth – Overwatering houseplants or keeping them in humid environments can lead to mold and mildew growth on the soil and plant leaves. Mold spores get released into the air and can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate asthma.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Many houseplants, especially flowering varieties, release VOCs that can cause headaches, nausea, and irritation for sensitive individuals. VOCs can also react with indoor ozone to produce harmful secondary pollutants.
• Allergens – Houseplants release pollen and other allergens into the air that can trigger allergic reactions, especially for people with sensitivities to mold and dust. Allergies to certain plants are also possible.

While judicious plant selection and care can help mitigate these risks, a house overflowing with plants could make your indoor air quality worse rather than better.

2. Overwatering Can Damage Your Home

It’s easy to kill a houseplant with kindness by overwatering. While houseplants need regular watering, overwatering on a frequent basis can lead to myriad issues:

• Rotting roots – Wet soil and poor drainage cause root rot that can kill your plants.
• Proliferation of pests – Excess moisture attracts and breeds bugs like fungus gnats, a common houseplant pest.
• ** Mold growth** – As mentioned, wet soil promotes mold growth on plants and in your home.
• Wood damage – Excess moisture from plant pots can warp wooden floors, cabinets, and furniture over time.
• Wall and ceiling damage – Leaking or overflowing plant pots can damage drywall and leak into other areas of your home.

A diligent watering routine is required when you have numerous houseplants. Invest in moisture meters, self-watering pots, and other tools to prevent overwatering damage.

3. Houseplants Attract Unwanted Pests

Unfortunately, your houseplants can end up hosting a wide variety of pest infestations:

• Fungus gnats – These small black flying insects lay eggs in damp potting mix. Their larvae then feed on plant roots.
• Mealybugs – These white cottony pests suck sap and leave sticky residue on plants.
• Aphids – These pear-shaped sucking insects can rapidly colonize plants, leaving them with curled and yellowing leaves.
• Spider mites – Too small to be seen by the naked eye, these eight-legged pests leave fine webbing and speckling damage.
• Thrips – Slender pests that rasp plant tissue and spread debilitating viruses.

Controlling infestations takes considerable effort involving horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, sticky traps, and other weapons. A large indoor jungle provides ample habitat for these pests to thrive.

4. Houseplants Can Poison Pets

Many common houseplants are actually toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Here are some of the most dangerous varieties:

• Lilies – All parts of lilies like Peace Lily, Calla Lily, and Lily of the Valley are extremely poisonous to cats causing kidney failure.
• Sago Palms – Just biting into a Sago Palm leaf or seed can cause vomiting, seizures, liver failure, and death in dogs.
• Aloe – The gel and latex of Aloe plants is very irritating to dogs and cats if ingested, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
• Snake Plants – Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, these sharp-leafed plants can cause excessive salivation, pain, and nausea in pets.
• Azaleas – These flowering shrubs can cause gastrointestinal issues, heart problems, and death.

With a sprawling indoor jungle, it’s difficult to keep all toxic plants out of reach of curious pets. Better to keep just a few non-toxic plants if you have free-roaming furry friends.

5. Houseplants Require Extensive Care

Caring for numerous houseplants is a labor of love but also a burdensome chore:

• Watering – During growing seasons, houseplants need watering possibly every few days. Watering a sea of plants takes substantial time.
• Pruning and grooming – Removing dead leaves and flowers, pinching back growth, and shaping plants all takes effort.
• Monitoring for pests – Scouting all plants regularly to check for signs of pests is tedious but necessary work.
• Dusting leaves – Large-leaved plants need occasional cleaning to allow photosynthesis and look their best.
• Repotting – Outgrowing their containers, most houseplants need repotting with fresh soil every couple years.

When you’re caring for 30+ plants, the workload adds up quickly! Be realistic about the plant care you can handle as a busy adult.

6. Certain Houseplants Are Toxic to Humans

Many common houseplants contain irritants or poisonous compounds that can cause adverse reactions in humans if ingested or contacted:

• Philodendrons – The sap contains oxalate crystals which can cause temporary numbness, swelling, and speech impairment in the mouth and throat if eaten.
• Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – Chewing any part of this plant releases tiny needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that numb and burn the mouth for up to two weeks. Difficulty speaking can occur.
• Caladium – Ingesting any part of this plant irritates the mouth, swells the airways, and upsets the gastrointestinal system.
• Elephant Ear – Intense mouth pain, throat swelling, and stomach distress occurs with ingestion. The sap can also irritate the skin.
• Chinese Evergreen – This plant can cause mouth pain, drooling, nausea, and vomiting if eaten.

With a teeming indoor jungle, caution is required to keep these dangerous plants away from children and pets who could put leaves or stems in their mouths.

7. Some Houseplants Harbor Hidden Dangers

Beyond basic toxicity, some houseplants have other hidden dangers lurking within their leaves, sap, or flowers:

• Euphorbia sap – This milky sap is found in popular Euphorbias like Crown of Thorns. It can cause severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
• Calathea irritation – Raphides containing irritating oxalate crystals are present on the leaves, especially on the undersides of prayer plants like Calathea. These crystals can cause temporary itchy inflammation if contacted.
• Bromeliads – Water collected in the leaf wells of bromeliads like air plants can harbor bacteria like Legionella pneumophila which causes Legionnaires’ disease.
• Lace plant sap – The sap of popular lace plants contains aldehydes and cyanogenic glycosides that can irritate skin and mucous membranes.
• Desert roses – The flowers contain potentially allergenic pollen. Overhandling the flowers when flowering can cause allergic reactions.

With so many plants harboring hidden dangers, accidents seem inevitable! Keep only benign plants if you have unsupervised children or pets.

8. Houseplants Can Complicate Moving

Transporting a plethora of potted plants during a move is challenging logistically and financially:

• Transportation – Moving a hundred plants or more requires renting trucks and making multiple trips which greatly increases moving expenses. Alternatively, you may need to hire specialty plant movers.
• Increased risk of damage – Moving a high volume of plants makes breakage, soil spills, leaf loss, and other plant damage more likely despite your best efforts.
• Restricted rentals – Many apartments and rented homes prohibit or restrict large numbers of plants for maintenance and liability reasons. You may have to pare down your collection.
• Quarantines – Moving long distances across state lines risks bringing pests that trigger plant quarantines. Your plants could be confiscated or require fumigation.
• Challenges acclimating – Adjusting to a new home, especially if moving to a vastly different climate, will be harder on your plants. Expect increased plant loss.

If you’re a renter or foresee upcoming moves in your future, limit your plant collection to a transportable size and focus on hardy, resilient species.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houseplant Obsessions

Many plant parents have additional questions about the potential downsides of an indoor plant obsession. Here are expert answers to some frequently asked questions:

Can houseplants worsen allergies?

Yes, houseplants can aggravate allergies in a few ways:

• Mold growth from overwatering releases allergens into the air.
• Pollen released from flowering houseplants can trigger allergies.
• Houseplants attract dust that gathers on leaves. This benefits mites which some people are allergic to.
• Some plants like bamboo palms emit airborne allergens naturally.

Limiting the number of flowering plants and maintaining good humidity levels can help minimize allergens. HEPA air purifiers also remove plant allergens from indoor air. Those with severe allergies may want to avoid houseplants altogether.

How do I avoid bringing in houseplant pests?

To keep pests out of your indoor garden:

• Inspect new plants thoroughly before bringing them home. Look for insects, eggs, and signs of damage.
• Quarantine new plants away from your existing houseplants for a few weeks.
• Sterilize all new pots and soil before use by baking or microwaving.
• Remove plants from the pots and wash roots before repotting.
• Keep outdoor plants like tomatoes isolated from indoor plants.
• Apply horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps preventatively every few weeks.

Can I be allergic to a specific houseplant?

Yes, it’s possible to develop allergic contact dermatitis from frequent exposure to certain houseplants. Common culprits include:

• Latex from plants like poinsettia, ficus, and yucca
• Sap from euphorbia plants that causes skin irritation
• Fine hairs or fibers on leaves that can lodge in skin
• Pollen from flowering plants

Wearing gloves when handling plants you’re sensitive to can prevent rashes and skin irritation. Allergy testing can identify specific plant allergies.

How often should I water houseplants?

Houseplant watering frequency depends on many factors:

• Plant species – Desert succulents need less water than tropical Calathea plants, for instance.
• Season – Plants need more frequent watering during hot, sunny summers than cool winters.
• Pot size – Small pots need more frequent watering than larger pots.
• Pot material – Clay pots dry out faster than plastic.
• Location – Warm spots and breezy areas lead to faster water loss.

As a general guideline, water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Most houseplants need watering every 1-2 weeks on average. Adjust up or down based on the plant’s requirements and your growing conditions.

What are signs my plants need less water?

Indications your houseplants are getting too much water include:

• Wilting, drooping, or curling leaves
• Leaves turning yellow or brown
• Mushy, black, or foul-smelling roots
• Mold growth on soil or plants
• Excess moisture dripping from drainage holes
• Slow growth

Allow the potting mix to partially or fully dry out between waterings. Water less frequently but more thoroughly when you do water.

Can I get sick from having too many houseplants?

It’s unlikely you’ll actually get ill solely from having numerous houseplants. But issues like mold, bacteria in water, and airborne irritants can potentially exacerbate pre-existing conditions like:

• Asthma and allergies
• Respiratory illnesses
• Skin sensitivities
• Compromised immunity

Sensitive individuals may experience headaches, eye irritation, coughing, congestion, or fatigue. Limit plants and boost ventilation if you notice symptoms.

Conclusion

Houseplant obsessions can certainly get out of hand. When every available surface is crammed with plants, upkeep and risks become unmanageable. But you don’t have to give up your beloved leafy friends completely. Here are some tips for keeping your passion for plants in check:

• Carefully select non-toxic, pet-safe, low-maintenance plants. Do your homework first.
• Start small and expand gradually. Don’t take on more than you can realistically care for.
• Use smart strategies like self-watering pots to make maintenance easier.
• Prune and propagate ruthlessly. Keep only your absolute favorites.
• Group plants with similar needs together to streamline watering and care.
• Invest in moisture meters, humidifiers, grow lights, and other helpful tools.
• Monitor plants vigilantly for signs of problems. Address issues immediately.
• Deep clean plants occasionally by washing leaves, replacing soil, pruning heavily.
• If moving, either pare down plants to essentials or budget for professional movers.

Remember, a few artfully chosen and well-tended plants provide pleasant greenery without becoming burdensome. Focus on quality over quantity as you carefully cultivate your ideal indoor garden.