Allergy-Smart Plant Shopping

Your new houseplant might be the reason you're sneezing. Plants and allergies can share a home, but pick the wrong one and you could be bringing pollen, sap and moldy soil indoors with it.

The good news is that a few simple choices make a big difference. Here's how to shop with your nose in mind, from the plants that tend to cause trouble to the habits that keep dust and mold down. One thing up front: no plant is guaranteed to be symptom-free for everyone.

Know your triggers before you shop

Houseplants can set off allergy or asthma symptoms in a few different ways: pollen from flowers, strong fragrance, sap from cut or broken stems, dust that settles on leaves, and mold that grows in damp soil. For some people that shows up as itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose and tiredness. For people with asthma, it can mean a flare.

So the best place to start is with what you already know about your own body. If pollen season wrecks you, flowering plants deserve a hard look. If dust mites are your thing, think about how much leaf surface you're willing to keep clean. If mold is a trigger, watering habits matter more than the plant you pick.

If you've had allergy testing, bring those results into the decision.

Flowering plants mean more pollen

Plants that flower tend to release more pollen, which makes them the riskier choice if you have hay fever or pollen-triggered asthma. Chrysanthemums, lilies, hyacinths, orchids and African violets are all common culprits, along with chamomile and sunflowers. Ferns and living Christmas trees can cause trouble too.

Not every bloom will bother every person, but if you already react to pollen, a pot of mums is a bigger gamble than a leafy plant.

If you love flowers, you can still keep them in your life. Try one at a time, keep it out of the bedroom, and pay attention to how you feel over the next week or two.

Lean on leafy foliage plants

Leafy plants that rarely flower indoors are usually the gentler pick. Palms, aloe, philodendron and pothos come up again and again as better choices for people with allergies, mostly because they aren't putting much pollen into the air.

Still, no plant is a sure thing. Any plant can make allergy or asthma symptoms worse for someone, especially if it gathers dust or sits in soggy soil. Think of these as lower-risk starting points, not guarantees.

One more thing if you share your home with animals: aloe, philodendron and pothos are all toxic to cats and dogs. Parlor palm and areca palm are non-toxic to both, while sago palm (which isn't a true palm) is highly toxic. Our guide to pet-safe houseplants covers the details.

Weeping fig: one to think twice about

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is one of the best-known indoor plant allergens. It doesn't flower indoors, so pollen isn't the issue. The allergen lives in its milky sap, a kind of latex, and it has been found in the dust on the leaves and even in dust on the floor of rooms where the plant stands. You don't have to touch the plant to be exposed.

Some people who react to weeping fig also react to natural rubber latex, and some react to fresh figs, kiwi and other tropical fruits.

If you have a latex allergy, or allergies that never seem to settle, this is one to skip. It's also toxic to cats and dogs, so it isn't a great match for pet homes either.

Wear gloves to repot and handle plants

A simple pair of gloves goes a long way. Wear them when you water and handle your plants, and especially when you repot. Repotting is when you're most likely to break stems, release sap and stir up old soil, which can carry mold.

Gloves keep sap and soil off your skin while you work. If you're sensitive to latex, pick nitrile or cotton-lined gloves rather than rubber ones. That matters even more around weeping fig and other plants with milky sap.

Repot outdoors if you can, so dust and spores stay outside, then wash your hands and forearms when you're done,.

Wipe the dust off your leaves

Broad leaves are basically dust shelves. Dust is a classic allergy and asthma trigger, and a houseplant full of it can undo the rest of your cleaning routine.

The fix is easy. Once a week, gently wipe the leaves with a soft, damp cloth, supporting each leaf from underneath so you don't snap it. For fuzzy-leaved plants that don't like being wiped, a soft brush works better.

A weekly once-over is also a good chance to spot pests or yellowing early. If dust is a big trigger for you, keep your collection to a size you can actually look after.

Keep the soil mold-free

Soggy soil can grow mold, and mold spores are a common allergy and asthma trigger. The single biggest thing you can do is avoid overwatering. Let the top of the soil dry out before you water again, use pots with drainage holes, and empty saucers so roots aren't sitting in water.

A peat-free potting mix is worth trying too, as it can help cut down on mold. If you spot fuzzy growth on the surface, scrape it off and let the soil dry more between waterings. Our guide to mold on potting soil walks through it.

And please don't count on plants to clean your air. A good air filter does far more for indoor allergens than any shelf of greenery, so keep yours running. If asthma is your main concern, our piece on houseplants and asthma goes deeper.

The bottom line

Plants and allergies can get along if you shop with care. Skip heavy pollen producers and weeping fig, lean on leafy plants, wear gloves, wipe leaves weekly and keep soil from staying wet. No plant is risk-free, so check with your allergist about your own triggers. Thinking about pets too? Read our guide to houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs.