Whether you have pollen allergies, seasonal hay fever, or you just suffer from allergies in general, you are going to want to be sure you know about certain flowering plants that upset sensitive individuals. When spring arrives each year, everyone gets excited over all the gorgeous plants, full of life and bloom. Even if we don’t know a thing about them, we buy them with zest and zeal, just aching to enjoy their beauty all season long. In the meantime, with our abundance of new flowers to look at and care for, we also find ourselves sneezing away, sniffling about, and scratching our itchy eyes as a result. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, there are many plants that won’t upset your allergies at all, but certain flowering plants are known to cause issues for most people. Find out what those are so you don’t suffer this year out of excitement for a new season of beautiful flowers in your garden.
1. Roses
Let’s start with one of the most popular, yet most known flowering plants for causing allergies. Roses are everyone’s favorite it seems, but along with their beauty and wonderful scent, come a tremendous allergic reaction for many.
2. Gardenias
Another lovely flowering plant that causes allergies for many people are gardenias. The beautiful, white, scented flowers smell so lovely. They’re also known to cause allergy issues for anyone sensitive to strong fragrances. Though they might make your garden smell fresh, avoid them if you’re sensitive to strong smells.
3. Mulberry Bush
This wonderful little berry bush also sprouts tiny little flowers. They’re usually found in the Eastern U.S. The mulberry has been known to cause hay fever, and can exacerbate allergies fairly quickly.
4. Chrysanthemum
These used to be a favorite flower of mine, as they are of many people. These lovely, feminine flowers tend to cause reactions pretty quickly, so if you have any planted and can’t quit sniffing or sneezing, it might just be why.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile flowers are one of my favorite flowers. I drink it as a tea, and love to use it in various ways. Luckily, I’m not allergic to it like many people are. It often triggers allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to pollen and hay fever. If you’re one of those individuals, keep in mind, this flower, even in the form of tea, might be the reason you’re suffering.
6. Daisies
The saying “fresh as a daisy” might sound nice, but it might also be contributing to your allergy symptoms. Daisies, due to their potent smell and allergic nature tend to irritate individuals who suffer from pollen allergies the most.
7. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are another wonderful flower to look at, but also one of the worst for allergies. If you live near a sunflower field, or have any in your garden, keep in mind they might be causing your symptoms.
Most people aren’t as sensitive to flowers as they are trees and shrubs. Most trees and grasses are actually the culprit of allergies in the spring and fall. However, it’s always good to keep in mind a few flowers that cause allergy issues to arise as well. Flowers that don’t tend to cause issues for allergy sufferers are begonias,lilies, geraniums, pansies, periwinkles, tulips, verbenas, petunias, zinnias, all forms of cactus, daffodils, geraniums, impatiens, and the iris flower. There are other trees and shrubs that also won’t cause issues, so be sure to do your research before buying plants or shrubs this year. If you have allergies, do you know if any flowers upset your symptoms? Which ones?
Source: webmd.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can gardenias really cause allergies?
- Oh yes, gardenias can definitely cause allergies for some people. It might be the lovely scent or the pollen, but be careful if you start sneezing around them.
- What are the symptoms of a gardenia allergy?
- Common symptoms of a gardenia allergy can include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and even skin rashes. If you're allergic, touching or smelling them might trigger these reactions.
- Do petunias cause allergies?
- Petunias are generally low on the allergen scale, but they still can affect sensitive folks. If you notice any discomfort around them, it could be a mild reaction.
- Which flowers are most likely to cause allergies?
- Flowers like gardenias, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, lilies, daisies, and even ragweed are known to be big culprits. They can easily trigger allergies due to their pollen.
- Can flowers cause skin reactions?
- Absolutely! Some people can get hives or itchy skin from touching certain flowers. If you notice any red, bumpy, or itchy patches after gardening, flowers might be the cause.