plants you should not keep at home

Bonsai

Bonsai trees, while admired for their small stature and intricate designs, are frequently associated with stunted growth and slow progress, especially professional development.

Here are some details about Bonsai ki that means "tray planting."
- Bonsai plants are grown in small containers and are trained to remain small.
- These plants are often confused with dwarf plants, but dwarf plants are permanently genetically miniaturized versions of the original plant species, whereas bonsai plants are regular plants trained to be small.
- Bonsai plants are shaped and trained to meet the aesthetic standards of the artform, which emphasizes the tree itself, rather than the scenery.
- Bonsai plants can be created from nearly any perennial, woody-stemmed tree or shrub species.
- Popular species for bonsai plants include trees with small leaves or needles, as they fit better in the compact scope of the bonsai aesthetic.

Cotton

Cotton plants and their buds are deemed hazardous due to their potential to cause cuts and abrasions, making it advisable to refrain from keeping them indoors.

Here are some details about cotton plants ¹:
- Family: Cotton is a member of the mallow family, Malvaceae.
- Appearance: Cotton is a soft and fluffy fiber that grows in a protective case, known as a boll, around the seeds of the plant.
- Composition: The fiber is nearly pure cellulose and may also contain waxes, fats, pectins and water.
- Origin: The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt and India.
- Types: There are four commercially grown species of cotton: upland cotton, extra-long staple cotton, tree cotton and Levant cotton.
- Uses: The fiber is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable and durable textile.

Cactus

Despite their popularity as indoor decorations, cacti can be prickly and cause injury. particularly in households with children or pets.

Here are some interesting details about cactus plants:

1. Family: Cactaceae
2. Origin: Americas, from British Columbia to southern South America
3. Species: Over 1,500 species
4. Stem: Thick, fleshy, and water-storing
5. Leaves: Usually absent or modified into spines
6. Spines: Sharp, protective, and can be colorful
7. Flowers: Showy, funnel-shaped, and often fragrant
8. Fruits: Berries or capsules containing seeds
9. Size: From small and globular to tall and columnar (up to 66 feet)
10. Adaptations: Specialized roots, stems, and leaves for water conservation and protection from predators
11. Habitat: Deserts, dry forests, and rocky areas
12. Uses: Ornamental, medicinal, food source (e.g., prickly pear fruits), and natural fences
13. Care: Infrequent watering, well-draining soil, and full sun to partial shade
14. Symbolism: Endurance, resilience, and protection

Some popular types of cacti include:

- Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
- Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.)
- Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
- Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spp.)
- Snake Cactus (Cleistocactus spp.)

Remember to handle cacti carefully, as their spines can be sharp and cause injury!

Tamarind

Tamarind trees, known for their expansive growth, may not be suited for indoor environments. as their foliage tends to attract pests and demands regular upkeep.

Here are some details about the tamarind plant ¹:
- Scientific name: Tamarindus Indica
- Family: Fabaceae (leguminous)
- Appearance: A medium-growth tree with a maximum crown height of 25 meters, an irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage and bright green, elliptic-ovular leaves
- Origin: Tropical Africa, but has been naturalized in Asia
- Description: A long-living evergreen tree that grows well in full sun and prefers clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soil types
- Fruit: Brown, pod-like, indehiscent legume containing a sweet, tangy pulp, seeds and a hard, brown shell
- Size: Height of 25 meters (80 feet) and fruit that is 12 to 15 cm (4+1⁄2 to 6 in) in length
- Wood: Hard, dark red heartwood and softer, yellowish sapwood
- Flowers: Red and yellow elongated flowers that are 2.5 cm (1 in) wide and have five petals
- Uses: Metal polish, woodworking, traditional medicine, and food and beverages

Weeping Fig

Weeping Figs, though common indoor fixtures, require diligent maintenance due to their waxy leaves, which readily accumulate dust and dirt.

Here are some details about Weeping Fig plants ¹ ²:
- Scientific name: Ficus benjamina
- Family: Moraceae
- Appearance: A tree with gracefully drooping branches, oval glossy leaves and light gray and smooth bark
- Origin: Native to Asia and Australia
- Description: Reaching 30 meters tall in natural conditions, with leaves 6–13 cm in length, and oval with an acuminate tip
- Uses: Often cultivated for urban situations, and a popular houseplant due to its elegant growth and tolerance of poor growing conditions
- Cultivation: Needs bright and sunny conditions, moderate watering in summer, and protection from strong drafts and cold
- Fruit: Orange-red collective fruit that is edible, but the plant is not usually grown for its fruit
- Leaves: Sensitive to small changes in light, and will drop many leaves and replace them with new leaves adapted to the new light intensity
- Allergy: A major source of indoor allergens, ranking third after dust and pets, and can cause symptoms such as rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma

Rubber Plant

While prized for their shiny foliage and air-purifying qualities, rubber plants can be toxic to pets if consumed, so pet owners are advised to exercise caution.

Here are some details about the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) ¹ ² ³:

Features:
- Large tree of the family Moraceae
- Can grow up to 30–40 m (100–130 ft) tall
- Has a stout trunk up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter
- Broad shiny oval leaves 10–35 cm (4–14 in) long and 5–15 cm (2–6 in) broad
- Leaves are largest on young plants
- Aerial and buttressing roots to anchor it in the soil and help support heavy branches
- The trunk and stems exude a milky sap, or latex

Origin:
- Native to eastern parts of South and Southeast Asia
- Has become naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and the US state of Florida

Cultivation:
- Grown around the world as an ornamental plant
- Prefers bright sunlight but not hot temperatures
- Has a high tolerance for drought, but prefers humidity and thrives in wet, tropical conditions
- Can be grown indoors in colder climates as a houseplant
- Can be propagated by cuttings or by layering

Other Names:
- India rubber tree
- Rubber fig
- Rubber bush
- Rubber tree
- Indian rubber bush
- Indian rubber tree

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia, admired for its vibrant leaves, contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause skin irritation.

Here are some details about the Dieffenbachia plant ¹ ²:
- Other names: Dumb Cane, Leopard Lily
- Origin: Tropical regions of Central and South America
- Growth Habit: Evergreen perennial that grows upright
- Size: 3 to 6 feet tall (90-180 cm) in an indoor setting
- Foliage: Large, glossy leaves reaching up to a foot in length with variegated patterns
- Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 10-12, not frost-tolerant
- Temperature: Requires temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18-24°C)
- Lighting: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Humidity: Prefers a humid environment, ideally 60% humidity
- Fertilization: Can benefit from a balanced fertilizer once a month
- Propagation: Can be propagated through stem cuttings or air-layering
- Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets, sap can cause skin irritation and oral and gastrointestinal issues if ingested