Considerations for Using Plants That Can Cause Skin Irritation

Your chances of encountering poison ivy, oak or sumac while working in the horticulture industry are probably the same as my chances of winning the multi-million-dollar powerball ticket I buy three times per year. While those odds aren’t bad, there are some common plants in our industry that can irritate the skin of both people and animals. Though plants that can cause skin irritation add color, greenery and dimension to a display, it might be best to avoid putting them in certain locations due to their adverse side effects. When designing the perfect space to create a display, it’s important to consider the risks of what potentially unsafe plants are selected, where they’re placed, and whether you want to assign the potential risk of maintenance to your technician.

Plant Selection

When I worked in a commercial greenhouse a common dish garden foliage—Dieffenbachia—would cause my skin to break out when I brushed by, especially after a recent watering. Bromeliads are a popular tropical. And while the types with smooth edges like Guzmania never bothered me, varieties with jagged sides such as the flat Neoregelia would leave a line of tiny bite marks that would itch for hours. Depending on a person’s sensitivity both of these plants can cause mild to severe skin irritations.

Pothos, peace lilies, Philodendrons, Sanservieria, English ivy, Caladium—and in warmer climates—oleander and sago palms aren’t uncommon to use in displays, but can also have adverse side effects due to the chemical toxin calcium oxalate. 

Be sure to do your due diligence on the plants used in any display so you’re aware of their potential side-effects. 

Plant Placement

When planning an installment, it’s crucial to consider if people will be able to touch plants in the display. Especially if you’re planning on using plants that can cause skin irritations. Humans are tactile creatures and will reach for anything of interest. Years ago, I had a private pre-school client where I maintained several containers in the common areas and hallways.  Although the chances of some of the children actually ingesting the leaves from my container foliage was minimal, I didn’t want to take any chance of a child getting very sick or breaking out in a rash by simply grasping at a frond or leaf. 

Plan out your displays to safeguard against the reach of more curious children, animals and adults. 

Technician Risk

If you’re looking to use a skin-irritating plant in a client display, you’ll have to consider whether or not it’s worth the risk for your technicians to maintain it.

One of my residential properties has a very old king sago that stabbed me every time I had to prune it.  I always subjected myself to handle that particular palm because I didn’t want a client or anyone working for me getting punctured. 

Assess potential risk for your technicians and give proper training to make sure they know how to maintain the plant. 

I don’t want to dissuade you from using these plants, as they can make beautiful additions to displays and landscapes. However, I would encourage careful consideration when using plants that can cause skin irritation, it may not be worth the risk.