Plants can really brighten any room.
However, if you have little ones crawling around, you should definitely ensure your plant selection is kid-safe.
If you are looking for some kid-safe plants to put in a playroom, or even outside your home, we have a list of the 15 best options for you.
There are tons of kid-safe plants available today such as Daisies, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Christmas Cactus and so many others are great choices for a play space in your home, garden or classroom.
Below are the top 15 kid-safe plants that can be used any child’s space or you can allow them to help grow their very own garden!
15 Kid Safe Plants for Play Spaces
Whether you’re thinking of a great way to decor your child’s room or you are inteested in teaching your children how to get out and garden, it’s important to always start children out with easy to grow, safe options.
Gardening is a great way to remove children for the ever-alluring screens, but not every plant is appropriate for kids, many can be highly toxic, and potentially dangerous for children’s health.
Fortunately, there are plenty of kid-friendly options for a garden.
Safety First: Here are 15 options that are totally safe and non-toxic to brighten your indoor and outdoor gardens.
1. Christmas Cactus
There are several holiday plants that can pose a risk to your health; a Christmas Cactus is not.
This year, you can be confident in decorating for the holidays, knowing your indoor plant is completely harmless to your loved ones.
2. Baby Rubber Plant
A baby rubber plant is a perfect houseplant if you have children or pets. This plant is easy to take care of and will grow well without much light.
Rubber trees are recognizable by their thick shiny green leaves and bushy growth. In spring, some varieties will form small white flowers.
3. Daisies
Daisies epitomize all that summer represents and are one of the easiest flowers to grow.
Daisies are non-toxic white flowers that serve as a perfect introduction to gardening for children to engage in the gardening experience little by little.
4. African Violet
The African Violet is a great option if you are searching for a stunning purple flower to accent a nursery or put in a waiting room in a medical office.
Not only is this lovely little flower hardy and easy to cultivate, it is also likely to become a favorite for an indoor plant.
5. Boston Fern
The Boston Fern is an incredibly popular indoor plant that does not require much sunlight while still remaining green for many years.
This is a hardy plant and is one of the most popular ferns in homes today.
6. Hen and Chick Plant
Hen and chick plants refers to a group of small succulents that are so small and close together that their leaves will interlock to form a beautiful rosette.
These plants are fun to watch grow and totally safe for children.
7. Sunflower
Non-toxic is just one of the many great attributes of the sunflower.
These outdoor plants are popular with both adults and children. Having a sunflower around can make your day brighter, and knowing they are completely safe just makes it that much better.
8. Butterfly Bush
There is no concern to safely plant butterfly bushes in areas where children and animals play.
In fact, these plants are a great way to bring beautiful hummingbirds and butterflies to the party, which is something that all kids will love.
9. Lamb’s Ears
Lambs Ear is also non-toxic, so it is actually good for you, especially in medical situations.
This plant is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial states.
This is a great way to teach your child emergency first aid with nothing but nature.
10. Strawberries
Of course we needed to throw a delicious plant option in the mix, and what better option than the strawberry bush!
Strawberries are fave fruit of many children because they are sweet and exciting to eat, safe to eat, perennial, and easy to grow.
11. Sweet Alyssum
The Sweet alyssum is a lovely white plant with a lacey look that truly brightens up a room
This plant can actually be used as a peppery additive to fresh garden salads, so it is very safe around young ones.
12. Marigolds
Marigolds are a local planter box favorite, loved for their bright yellow, orange, and gold colors.
They are a gorgeous puff of flower and are great for decorating around your front porch or a fence, plus they are safe around kids and pets!
13. Spider Plants
The spider plant is a great indoor selection for your child’s bedroom or playroom because it helps purify the air.
This well-known green, low-care houseplant will readily eliminate toxins from any space simply by placing it in the decor.
14. Pole Bean
Pole Beans are a fun plant to grow and will look beautiful as they climb up a tree, trellis, or outside wall.
This plant is also edible and non-toxic. In fact, Pole Beans are a popular bean plant due to their growth size and low maintenance.
15. Nasturtium
The nasturtium is a popular plant that produces stunning orange, red, and yellow flowers.
These are nice to look at, but the flowers are also edible (along with the leaves and stem), a great gastronomy source, and are high in nutrients, with a peppery flavor!
Best Plants for Kids to Grow in Their Vegetable and Fruit Garden
There is no real age fixed in place for kids to learn how to grow their own garden.
In fact many people believe that the sooner the better.
There are many advantages for kids participating in the growing of a garden:
- Allows for connection to nature – Getting out of the house and getting their hands dirty will help your child experience the many benefits of nature. From the clean, fresh air, to trees, wild animals, plants, and the sunlight.
- Provides a break from screens – These days, there is no way we can fully disconnect from technology. Children must use their phones and computers for school, socialization, communication, and organization. Still, taking a break from those screens for a little time will do wonders for their wellness.
- Encourages self-sufficiency – When children learn to grow their own garden, they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride that will encourage them to tackle other projects for themselves. The experience will encourage self-sufficiency, as well as build self-esteem as they successfully work hard for the things they want in life.
- Offers a hands -on beginning to learning about science – You can’t have better hands-on education in plant science than growing a garden.
- Teaches children about health and wellness – A garden provides the opportunity for children to learn about the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the nutrients and vitamins they provide.
These are just a few reasons to think about getting your child into a garden. The experience and memories will stick with them a lifetime!
The Top 12 Plants for a Childs First Garden
At this point you have learned the benefits of letting your child grow a garden. Let’s think about some of the best plants to grow.
- Cucumbers – Good for bone and heart health, benefits skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Beans – A protein packed food that is good for decreasing fatty liver and benefits gut health.
- Peas – A good source of iron, aids digestion, benefits eye health.
- Watermelon – Nutrient dense, prevents dehydration and can be beneficial for heart health.
- Cantaloupe – Another vitamin C dense fruit that is rich in antioxidants and has a good level of potassium.
- Squash – A nutrient dense food, low calorie, and heart healthy.
- Strawberries – Can increase the power of the immunity system, benefits heart function and lowers blood pressure..
- Pumpkins – Boost the immune system, rich in antioxidants and a nutrient dense food.
- Peppers – Increases metabolism, reduces hunger and a good source of vitamins.
- Tomatoes – A good source of vitamins, benefits eye health and increases skin health.
- Sunflowers (seeds)- can reduce inflammation, high in antioxidants, high in Omega 6.
- Lettuce – Can help with sleep, benefits eye health, and heart health.
These are selected to be some of the simplest plants to grow from seedlings and many do not take long to germinate and grow.
Caring for your plants and observing their young ecological system can be very beneficial for your child to learn and become involved with gardening. Taking into account the age of your child it is important to select plants that grow rapidly to keep your child’s interest.
Teaching Your Kids About Vegetation Safety
While having your children grow their own gardens, or decorating their room with non-toxic plants, it is also highly important to educate children at a young age about the importance of keeping plants, leaves, wild berries etc., out of their mouths.
Planting chemical-free plants in their room is one way to keep your kids safe from mouthfuls of questionable foliage, however, you will not be able to guarantee they will not chew on something they find in the back yard or when hiking on a trail.
Therefore, it is important to educate your children about all of the toxic and non-toxic plants, as well as helping them identify things like poison ivy, sumac, and oak.
Key Takeaway: Engaging and starting a conversation as early as possible could spare you a lot of trouble (and itchy rashes) later on.
Summing Things Up
There is no lack of kid-friendly plants in the world. Bringing these plants into your home and your child’s life has consistently been one of the best things we can do for their health, as well as the health of our home!