5 Flowers and Plants You Should Never Keep in Your Kitchen—Here’s Why

Fresh flowers and plants will always have a place in the kitchen. They make the space feel more welcoming and add a pop of color. But while they may seem like harmless décor, some flowers can pose real health risks in close quarters where food is prepared.

Certain plants can affect food safety, says Caitlin King, chief executive officer of Wrap Your Kitchen and a leading voice in interior and home design. “People often don't realize that some flowers and plants simply don't belong in kitchens,” King says. “They need to understand which plants can create hygiene issues or even pose health risks when they're close to where you prepare food.”

Ahead, King shares five flowers and plants homeowners should never keep in the kitchen—and why.

Flowers and Plants to Keep Out of Your Kitchen

Lilies

While lilies do look beautiful in a vase, their heavy pollen can fall from the flowers and settle on nearby food or dishes. Not only can the pollen leave a staining residue, but it can also cause allergic reactions. "Beyond the mess, lily pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people, causing sneezing, watery eyes, and respiratory irritation, none of which you want happening while you're cooking dinner," says King.

Also note that all parts of a lily are extremely toxic to cats; even a small amount of pollen and water from the vase can cause serious issues.

Mistletoe

It wouldn't be a proper Christmas celebration without mistletoe, but depending on the variety, it can be very toxic if ingested. The berries are the part to watch out for, as they could get mixed up with other berries in the kitchen. "In a busy kitchen where you're handling food constantly, the risk of cross-contamination is real," says King, so it's best to keep mistletoe out of the kitchen.

"The plant also releases a sticky sap that's difficult to clean," she says.

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Daffodils

Daffodil season brings beautiful blooms each year, but it's best to enjoy them outside the kitchen. The bulbs, stems, and flowers contain toxic compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.

King says that irritating daffodil sap could contaminate surfaces. “If that sap gets on your hands and you then touch food or cooking utensils, you're potentially spreading those toxins around your kitchen.”

Oleander

Oleander is a showstopping flowering plant, but it's one of the most poisonous plants you can bring into your home, says King. Every part of the plant—leaves, flowers, stems, and even the nectar—contains toxins that can cause illness. King worries that it is so toxic that even touching it and then touching your face or food could cause problems. “In a kitchen environment where you're constantly using your hands to prepare meals, that's an unacceptable risk.”

Poinsettias

When their leaves or stems break, the white milky sap can irritate skin and cause digestive issues if ingested. If there is any chance that the leaves might be accidentally ingested if a poinsettia is in the kitchen, it's a better idea to keep them in a room away from food and out of reach of pets and children.