The Best and Worst Plants for People With Allergies

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Updated on October 9th, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Plants

There’s no better way to turn a house into a home than adding luscious plants and beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, people who suffer from allergies may struggle to find plants and flowers that won’t lead to a runny nose, burning eyes and uncontrollable sneezing. Which plants should allergy sufferers avoid? Which should they welcome into their homes? Here’s a look at the best and worst plants for people with allergies:

Best: Hostas

Nice natural background with green leaves hosts.
Image via iStock

Allergy sufferers who want to add greenery to their home should consider hostas. These lush green plants do not have a scent, so you don’t have to worry about them triggering your allergies once you bring them inside. Hostas do well in the home because they can thrive without a lot of sunlight, so they’re also quite easy to grow.

Worst: Daisies

Chamomile flowers in the garden
Image via iStock

Daisies are beautiful flowers that are often found in floral arrangements during the spring. But, beware of these flowers if you suffer from allergies. Daisies, along with all of the other flowers in the asteraceae family, have a high pollen count and can easily cause an allergy flare-up. If anyone ever sends you a bouquet of flowers, be sure to check it for daisies before allowing it in your home.

Best: Roses

large vase with colorful roses on window sill
Image via iStock

Roses are one of the most popular flowers, and luckily, they don’t affect people who suffer from allergies. Roses aren’t necessarily thought of as a low-pollen flower, so why don’t they trigger an allergic reaction? The pollen particles of this plant are larger than the particles found in other flowers, which means they are too heavy to travel through the air and cause an allergic reaction.

Worst: Chrysanthemums

Violent chrysanthemums flower
Image via iStock

Many people have heard that ragweed is the most allergenic plant, but did you know that chrysanthemums are related to ragweed? It’s true—and it means they can cause an allergic reaction just like their distant relatives, although it probably won’t be as severe. Play it safe by keeping chrysanthemums far away if you suffer from allergies.

Best: Cacti

various of small plant and cactus in a pot, Vintage style
Image via iStock

Cacti may not be the first plant that comes to mind when you think of house plants, but they’re actually a great choice for people who suffer from allergies because they have a very low pollen count. If you have a minimalist or Southwestern vibe in your home, a cactus would fit right in with the rest of the décor. Another bonus? Cacti are fairly low maintenance, so if you don’t have much luck when it comes to keeping plants alive, you may want to consider choosing a cactus.

Worst: Sunflowers

Sunflower Bunch
Image via iStock

The bright colors of sunflowers make you think of happiness and positivity, but allergy sufferers may not have the same reaction to this plant. It’s estimated that around 30% of people with pollen allergies will have a reaction to sunflowers. Some people who suffer from pollen allergies may also be allergic to sunflower seeds, which means their reaction could be more severe if they come in direct contact with the seeds.

If you suffer from allergies, it’s important to check this list before buying a new plant for your home or garden. Choose your plants wisely and you can get the beautiful look of blooming flowers and dense foliage without having to suffer an allergic reaction.

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