Ahh, children – they really do the strangest things sometimes. It may not occur to you to pluck all the leaves off your favourite pot plant and see if they taste any good, however, the same can’t necessarily be said for our little people. And while smashed avo is perfectly safe (and encouraged!) for them to smoosh all over their face, indoor plants are another story.

If you’ve got kids at home, give yourself one less thing to worry about and try these eight low-toxicity plants for styling your indoor and outdoor spaces with green.

NOTE: unless the plant is explicitly an edible (e.g. herbs), it’s still best to avoid ingestion as some still may cause nausea or skin irritation. To stay on the safe side, keep all plants out of reach of small children.

Indoor

Herbs, sprouts and microgreens (kitchen windowsill garden)

Growing edibles at home is a great way to engage your kids with the magic of home gardening – particularly for beginner green thumbs. As long as they get plenty of sun and water, herbs, sprouts and microgreens are all easy-care and fast-growing plants. Perfect for small people who just can’t wait to eat the fruits of their labour!

If you need a hand setting up a windowsill herb or sprout garden, head to our step-by-step tutorial here.

Image credit: Markus Spiske via Unsplash

Pilea

With it’s fascinating foliage shape – do the leaves look like pancakes, or an itty-bitty alien? – the pilea will be sure to spark your kids’ imagination. A super trendy plant and easy to care for, this indoor variety is sure to quickly become one of your favourites, too.

Image credit: Ross Caddaye for Greener Spaces Better Places

Hoya

Say hello to the hoya! This might be a plant that you remember from your own childhood home – it had it’s hey-day back in the 70s and 80s, but is making a comeback in Aussie homes.

Another easy-care indoor plant with gorgeous waxy flowers and an enticing scent, the hoya will ignite all of your little one’s senses.

Image credit: Rattiya Lamrod via Shutterstock

Mistletoe cactus

The mistletoe cactus might look like a bit of a tangled mess, but trust us – this easy-growing hanging plant is a breeze to care for. Simply pop it up on an empty shelf, and let its fuzzy stems trail down.

There’s a bunch of different varieties of mistletoe cactus: some have hairy stems (these hairs protect the stems from the sun), others have flat stems, some grow longer and some are bushier. Get your child in choosing the type and then keep adding to your collection, until you’ve got them all!

Image credit: Daniel Shipp for Greener Spaces Better Places

Outdoor

Nasturium

From garnishing a cheeseboard to pickling your own version of capers, this versatile, entirely edible plant will have you experimenting in the kitchen all year long. With its pretty bright flowers and it’s big round seeds – perfect for picking by little fingers – it’s also a great plant for kid-friendly outdoor gardens.

Image credit: Dr Excelsior Photography for Greener Spaces Better Places

Australian paper daisies

They may be small – but when grown en masse, the humble Australian paper daisy will knock you over with a wave of colour. They’re the perfect native wildflower for creating stunning outdoor garden displays or overflowing flower pots of colour.

Paper daisies also a great support for the local bees and pollinators that call your backyard home, so are a great one for teaching little people about ecosystems and biodiversity.

Image credit: Karen Black via Shutterstock

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a very easy plant to grow, and a very practical one, too – you can break off a small piece of its thick leaves and squeeze the juice onto minor burns and skin troubles for quick soothing relief. The perfect plant for introducing kids to the medicinal properties of plants.

Image credit: Alexandra Tran via Unsplash

Lavender

A beautiful and fragrant addition to any outdoor space, lavender will also help keep the mosquitos at bay. Pick and dry the flowers for a range of plant-based DIY projects that you can do with the kids, including making your own plant-based cleaning products and botanical-infused oils for hydrating body and hair.

Image credit: Dr Excelsior Photography for Greener Spaces Better Places

 

These eight plants are the perfect starting point for designing a stylish but safe home garden with, and for your kids – but the good news is that there’s plenty more low-toxicity plants you can choose from. So grab your little one, head to your nearest nursery or garden centre to have a chat with the experts, and get busy growing!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Six easy-grow herbs to heal your body and mind

Six easy-grow herbs to heal your body and mind

Spending time around plants is good for your health and eating some can reap even more benefits.

3 min read

Harness the healing power of your garden

Harness the healing power of your garden

Several hospitals in Australia are adopting and designing ‘healing gardens’ for patients.

2 min read

Planting for pollinators (brings all the bugs to the yard)

Planting for pollinators (brings all the bugs to the yard)

You can bring bugs to your yard and spice up your dinner plate at the same time with these plants.

2 min read

A quick guide to balcony gardens

A quick guide to balcony gardens

Plants are a great way to add a touch of life, style and privacy to your balcony space.

2 min read

Easy to grow native edibles for any garden

Easy to grow native edibles for any garden

Our native edibles expert Narelle Happ from A Garden For Life, shares some of her favourites.

3 min read

Bring all the birds to the ‘yard

Bring all the birds to the ‘yard

Kangaroo Paw is an Australian Native plant that comes in an array of colours and attracts bird life.

3 min read

Gardening as therapy

Gardening as therapy

Gardening and therapeutic horticulture is a way of providing interaction with nature to help the mind.

4 min read

A beginner’s guide to building an outdoor bath

A beginner’s guide to building an outdoor bath

An outdoor bath is a dreamy way to spend more time in your garden.

2 min read

Why a plant-filled office is great for productivity

Why a plant-filled office is great for productivity

Increasing the greenery in your home office could be the perfect boost for your productivity.

3 min read

Safe indoor and outdoor plants for kids

Safe indoor and outdoor plants for kids

If you've got kids at home, enjoy one less thing to worry about and try these eight low-tox plants.

4 min read

The Herb to Match your Kitchen Style

The Herb to Match your Kitchen Style

Find the herb that best suits your style in the kitchen, from minimal and classic, to indecisive.

3 min read

A Little Green Garden that Grew a Community

A Little Green Garden that Grew a Community

Meet Marcello. A larger than life Latino living in the inner suburbs of Sydney flexing a green-thumb.

4 min read

BE INSPIRED.

The latest green space news, in your inbox monthly